Bonfire night

Guy Fawkes Night, also known as Bonfire Night, is an annual commemoration observed on 5 November, primarily in the United Kingdom, of the failure of the Gunpowder Plot of 1605.

The Gunpowder Plot conspirators, led by Robert Catesby, were Roman Catholics enraged at King James I for refusing to grant religious tolerance to Catholics. They planned to blow up the Houses of Parliament during the state opening of Parliament, intending to kill the king and members of Parliament in order to clear the way to reestablishing Catholic rule in England. The plan failed. One of them, Guy Fawkes, was taken into custody the evening before the attack, in the cellar where the explosives to be used were stored. The other conspirators were all either killed or tried, convicted, and executed. In the aftermath, Parliament declared November 5 a national day commemorating the failure of the Gunpowder Plot, and the first celebration of it took place in 1606.

Lesson plan

Begin the lesson by stating that the 5th of November is a red-letter day on the British calendar and ask students if they know why. Encourage discussion and guide them toward the topic of Guy Fawkes Day. Once they have a basic understanding, introduce the Gunpowder Plot and explain that today they will watch two episodes of a video created by UK Parliament about this historical event.

Before playing the videos, explain that while they watch, you will be writing key words (such as names, dates, locations, and events) on the board to help them track the story (the list is provided below). Emphasize that they should listen carefully to the details as these key words will assist them later.

After watching the videos, give students a vocabulary exercise to help reinforce the key terms (the exercise is provided below). It includes filling in blanks. This exercise will ensure they are comfortable with the key vocabulary.

Once the vocabulary exercise is complete, ask students to use the key words to retell the story of the Gunpowder Plot in their own words. To make it more interactive, you could have them work in pairs or small groups and share their retellings with the class.

After the retelling, lead a class discussion to explore the significance of the Gunpowder Plot and how history remembers figures like Guy Fawkes. Use thought-provoking questions to encourage debate and critical thinking:

• Do you think Guy Fawkes was a criminal, or has history turned him into a legend?

• Can you think of modern figures who, despite committing crimes, have gained fame or admiration? Why does this happen?

• If the Gunpowder Plot happened today, would the plotters be labeled as terrorists? Why or why not?

• Throughout history, different groups have been both the persecuted and the persecutors. Can you think of any examples?

• How might history have changed if the Gunpowder Plot had succeeded?

  
  

Conclude the lesson by reflecting on how the Gunpowder Plot is still remembered today and how its legacy continues through Guy Fawkes Night. Encourage students to think about how historical events influence culture and how figures like Guy Fawkes become symbols over time.

This is a simple lesson plan, but it has been tried many times, and experience shows that students always find it engaging. The combination of video, vocabulary practice, storytelling, and discussion makes it a dynamic and thought-provoking lesson.

Source: UK Parliament

Gunpowder Plot - vocabulary exercise.docx

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Remember, remember the 5th of November....

A recap of the basic facts:

Henry VIII separated from the church in order to marry Anne Boleyn, and formed the Church of England. England became a protestant country.

During the reign of James 1st Catholics were persecuted. Guy Fawkes joined together with other plotters with a plan to blow up the King and the Government. He was the man responsible for lighting the fuses beneath Parliament. However, before he could go through with the plan, he was captured, and the plot was foiled. He was tried for treason and executed along with other plotters. 


State Opening of Parliament: When the monarch ceremonially opens a new Parliamentary session, marked by a speech from the throne in the House of Lords (the chamber where the Lords sit to discuss and vote on policy).

Hanged, Drawn and Quartered: A cruel form of execution that saw a person hanged until they almost chocked to death, then they were cut down, disemboweled, with their heart removed and burned, and then their body cut into four pieces.

Gunpowder plot.ppt

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Source: Education Service