Why do we remember?: The Great Fire of London
Why Do We Remember? Series
What’s inside...
This illustrated edition explores the catastrophic event of the Great Fire of London in 1666, uncovering the causes, the impact it had on the city, and how it shaped modern-day fire safety regulations. It's part of a simple, friendly first history series that takes a close look at key events and personalities through history, revealing their significance today. The book uses historical sources like diaries and paintings to bring events to life, while introducing and explaining simple historical vocabulary.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
6-8
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Why do you think it's important to remember historical events like the Great Fire of London?
How do you think people felt during the fire, and how did they help each other?
What can we learn from how the city was rebuilt after the fire?
Why do you think the author chose to tell this story? What message does it convey?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start by setting a calm and focused reading environment, perhaps by recreating a cozy corner that resembles a mini London from the past with simple props like toy houses or drawings.
Encourage empathy by asking your child to imagine what it would be like to live during the Great Fire of London. Discuss feelings and thoughts that might have occurred during such a historic event.
Link the story to current events or personal experiences to make it more relatable. For example, discuss a time when your family or community had to come together to overcome a challenge.
After reading, use creative activities like drawing or building blocks to recreate scenes from the book, fostering a deeper understanding and retention of the historical events.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of resilience
Explanation: The story highlights how people of London coped and rebuilt the city after the Great Fire of 1666.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to face their own challenges with determination and understand that recovery is possible after setbacks.
Example Lesson: Understanding historical events
Explanation: The book provides detailed accounts of the Great Fire of London, giving children a glimpse into a significant historical event.
Real-World Application: This knowledge encourages curiosity about history and helps children understand the impact of past events on present circumstances.
Example Lesson: The value of community support
Explanation: The story shows how the citizens of London came together to help each other during and after the fire.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the importance of helping others and working together during times of crisis.
Example Lesson: Learning from mistakes
Explanation: The book discusses the fire safety failures that led to the disaster, and the subsequent changes made to prevent future fires.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of learning from mistakes and making proactive changes to avoid repeating them.