Disaster at Sea

Disaster at Sea

Suitable for: Key stage 2

Time period: Early 20th Century 1901-1918

Suggested inquiry questions: How can we find out about significant events in the past?

Potential activities: Follow the videos for the main activity. Create a map with labels and images. Create a model out of recycling. Design menus, tickets or postcards used by passengers.

Tasks

Welcome to episode four of Time Travel TV! This time we will be taking a close look at a document that reveals many details about the survivors of a famous disaster as sea.

Tasks

Part One

Look very carefully at the mystery document and think about what you can see. You might have printed the image out so you can circle things that you spot. Or you can make a list, chat to your helper or just have a think!

Mystery Document

Part Two

Historians (people who study history) investigate documents a bit like we have– they collect the evidence from the document and then start making suggestions about what this evidence can tell us. We too can work like historians! Have a go at using the evidence we’ve collected to suggest some ideas about what this document is, when it comes from and what famous event it is connected too.

Part Three

Time to find out what this document is and if you were right with your suggestions!

Part Four

Additional documents to investigate:

Take a look at these two documents which relate to the disaster. What else can you discover?

Report of Survey

Survivor's Account

Follow-up activities

Research the route the Titanic took and create a map with labels and images showing potential risks at sea.
Create an eco-model of the Titanic using any cardboard or plastic recyclables. If you are a keen builder you could use Lego or clay!
Design menus, tickets or even postcards that passengers would have had aboard the Titanic.

Lesson at a glance

How can we find out about significant events in the past?