Rereading sections of Robyn Annear’s wonderful gold rush history is like reacquainting oneself with a beloved long lost friend. Even better, it evokes a witty conversation where all your best thoughts and lines are voiced with perfect timing. Some of Annear’s repartee may make the reader laugh out loud. After quoting a frazzled dispatch from Governor La Trobe explaining the difficulties of the early gold rush Annear writes:
Posted in Books for Teaching History, Victorian Gold Rush
Tagged 1850s lifestyles, books, gold rush
It’s the Year of Reading and we’re celebrating by sharing our favourite books for teaching (or just enjoying) history! This post introduces Doug Bradby’s Seriously Weird History series.
This will be the first in a series of posts about the Household Arts of the 1850s. If you have a topic you’d like us to cover, please leave a comment or contact us!
Student trying old washing methods at Sovereign Hill
In the days before electricity and washing machines, doing the laundry was a time consuming and physically demanding job. During the early gold rush days new arrivals had to carry any washing tools they wanted all the way to the diggings. Consequently many diggers didn’t enjoy the luxury of properly washed clothes.
Posted in History Teaching, Victorian Gold Rush
Tagged 1850s lifestyles, books, Household Arts, women
Well written and accurately researched historical fiction can provide a useful window into the past and an accessible entry into another time for students (and for teachers!).
One such historical novel we love here at Sovereign Hill is Bridie’s Fire by Melbourne author Kirsty Murray (Allen & Unwin, 2003).
Bridie’s Fire published by Allen and Unwin
Posted in Books for Teaching History, History Teaching, Victorian Gold Rush
Tagged books, immigration, irish famine, teaching resources, women
With Book Week upon us, we thought a book suggestion would be appropriate. One of the Notable Picture Books in this year’s Children’s Book Council Awards was Queen Victoria’s Underpants – by Jackie French and Bruce Wheatly.
Published by Harper Collins
In the early years of schooling the study of history is often about children noting simple differences between today and the past. During Book Week we are running an activity for early year’s students using this book and we have found it to be a great conversation starter. The story provides a great opportunity to discuss differences in clothing and lifestyle and the reference to underpants is always enjoyed and often prompts lively conversation.
Posted in Books for Teaching History, History Teaching
Tagged 1850s people, books, Queen Victoria, teaching resources, women
Sovereign Hill Education Blog 