Copperopolis

As part of the LPS Matrix approach, we discussed our prior knowledge, discussed what we would like to learn about, created questions to explore and identified skills we would need to use throughout the topic.

Here are the questions we created:

1. Why did Swansea become famous for copper?

2. How was copper made in Swansea?

3. Which industries were most important to Victorian Swansea?

4. Where were Swansea's copper works and factories?

5. What can Victorian clothes tell us about people's lives, jobs and wealth?

6. What was life like for a rich child compared to a poor child?

a. How were children treated in school?

b. What was school life for a poor child in comparison to a rich child?

7. What was it like to work as a child in Victorian Swansea?

8. Why would people have left Wales for Argentina?

9. What did Victorian people in Swansea eat and drink, and did everyone eat the same things?

10. Who was Queen Victoria, and why was she important?

11. How should we judge the Industrial Revolution – was it good or bad?

12. What might Swansea have looked like without the Industrial Revolution?

Examples of Pupil Work

Topic Cover Page

On our cover page we have included our prior knowledge, research questions

and images of what Copperopolis means to us.

Industrial Revolution Exploration

In this task, we used our map and research skills to explore how the

Industrial Revolution changed Swansea.

Life of Industrial Revolution Workers

In this task, we explored different historical sources to find out and explain

what life was like for the people living in industrial Swansea.

How Industry Changed Swansea

In this task, we researched, explored and explained how the Industrial

Revolution changed Swansea.

Timeline of Swansea

In this task, we researched and constructed a timeline of

Swansea's history of copper.

Working Conditions

In this task, we used a range of sources to discover what working conditions were like in

Industrial factories.

Victorian Child 'Dyma Fi' Text

In this task, we have presented our final piece of writing for our Victorian Child 'Dyma Fi' Text. We first constructed mind maps. Then used them to write a first draft.

Exploring the works of Josef Herman

In this task, we explored how expressive line, tonal values and charcoal techniques can be used to create depth, atmosphere and mood in a landscape inspired by Josef Herman.

Identifying important locations for the Copper Industries in Wales

In this task, we used Google Maps to explore and identify where the important locations for the Copper Industries in Wales were. Once we discovered their locations, we plotted them on our maps that we made by tracing an outline of the map of Wales.

Steps for Smelting Copper

In this task, we explored the steps for smelting copper! We evidenced this by sequencing and explaining the process of copper smelting using time connectives, fronted adverbials and key technical vocabulary.

Ordinary People of Victorian Swansea

In this task, we found out about the ordinary people who lived and worked in Swansea by looking at a primary source: the Pineapple Thief of Swansea. Then we pulled evidence from the source to infer what this could mean. Finally, constructing a paragraph using evidence and inference whilst being mindful of the difference between opinion and fact.