Year 2 Great Fire of London walk

Yesterday, the entire cohort of Year 2 went for a trip into town! following their investigation into the causes and effects of the Great Fire of London, it was time to visit the real locations. We took the Central Line to St Paul's Cathedral, pausing to admire the work of architect Sir Christopher Wren, who designed the cathedral and much of London after the fire, before crossing over to Bankside and take in some culture at the Tate Modern while we ate our lunch. We saw so many sights on our walk to our final destination of the Monument, where we all gathered together to sing London's Burning and admire more of Wren's architecture. We had a fantastic day and would like to thank all of the volunteers who joined us and made it possible!

Going back in time with year 2

 This first week of the Spring term has been incredibly busy in year 2! We have taken a huge step back in time to 1666- the year the Great Fire of London started, by comparing life in London then and now...

Year 2 recreate the Great Fire of London

 

To conclude their learning for their Great Fire of London unit, Year 2 took their Tudor houses out in the sunshine to burn them down!

Their incredible houses were built at home with their families for homework, and we could see first-hand how that houses built of flammable materials being so close together was a recipe for disaster for the residents of London in 1666. We had so much fun that even Year 4 came out to join us and watch in awe.

Thank you to our amazing Premises Manager Wayne who kept us all safe today. 

The Great Fire of London adventure for Year 2

 

Year 2 have had the most amazing adventure this week, going back in time and across the city! We began our walk at St Paul's Cathedral, comparing the old cathedral that was lost during the fire, with the modern day building. We found that cathedrals are laid out in a cruciform- the shape of the cross, and that Sir Christopher Wren, -the architect who redesigned much of London after the fire- is buried in the crypt.

We crossed the Thames over the Millennium Bridge and stopped to take in some art at the Tate Modern and eat our lunches. We studied an enormous art installation in the Turbine Hall and thought about it's meaning. We even remembered the difference between abstract and figurative art from last term.

We then took a walk along the South Bank, pausing to check out Shakespeare's Globe Theatre

Once we reached London Bridge we played tourists in our own city and spotted HMS Belfast, the walkie-talkie building, Tower Bridge, the Tower of London, the Shard and the cheese grater building. We crossed back over to see the Monument. Designed again by Christopher Wren, it marks the spot where the Great Fire of London started on Pudding Lane in 1666.

We even had time for a quick round of London's Burning before hopping back on the tube home.

More pictures below...

London's Burning...

 This week Year 2 concluded their investigation into the Great Fire of London and how it started by visiting the site the fire started on- Pudding Lane!

We took the Central Line to St Paul's Cathedral and spent some time looking at the beautiful architecture of Christopher Wren, who redesigned the Cathedral after it was lost to the fire of 1666.

We crossed the Millennium Bridge and took in the beautiful scenes on both sides of the River Thames (and the breeze!) before stopping briefly to take in some culture and lunch at the Tate Modern gallery.

We continued our walk along the Southbank past the Golden Hinde and Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, and back over the river via London Bridge.

We arrived at our main event- the Monument! A giant memorial to all that was lost in the Great Fire of London, that laying flat, would point to the site of the original bakery that caused the fire.

Then we entertained the city workers and tourists around us by singing London's Burning in a giant round between both classes, before stopping by to pay our respects at Pudding Lane itself.

We had a really brilliant day and it was amazing to see the difference between the cobbled, winding streets we have studied, and contemporary London.

Special thank yous to our incredible parent helpers, who made the whole day possible. Your support was amazing!