Name:

Exploring the experience of child workers in the Victorian era

Task A: The life of a chimney sweep

Use the sentence starters below to write a summary of the extract of the report:

The report was written to share findings about ___________________________

The report found that most boys did not choose to become chimney sweeps, in fact they _____

To force the boys to climb the chimneys, the Masters ______________________

As a result, the boys were left with injuries such as _______________________

When asked whether boys were forced to work through their injuries, one Master claimed ____

Independently read Jon Robins' article from the "Guardian" newspaper, "Child workers, their rights and wrongs". It was published in 2009.

Read the article by yourself. Remember to ask yourself questions as you read to check your understanding. Here are some suggestions of questions you could ask:
- i) Why has the text been written?
- ii) Who is it for? Why might they want this information?
- iii) What are the author's opinions on child labour?
Answer the following questions to show your understanding:
- i) What is the article about? Why do you think it is being written?
- ii) Does Robins agree with child labour? How do you know (use quotations)?

Brain thinking: compare the similarities and differences in attitudes towards child labour in the Victorian era and today.
Now use the discussion grid to formalise your ideas.

Use comparative conjunctions to make links between ideas	Use comparisons to identify differences
Likewise/similarly… Contrastingly/however/on the other hand…	Whereas X , Y . Whilst X , Y . Despite X , Y .
In the Victorian era, it was callously accepted that boys from lower social classes would do dangerous work. However, today there are strict laws about the work children can do.	Despite the committee report sharing a similar view to today regarding dangerous work, it is clear many Victorian masters behaved in a mercenary manner.