English/Language Arts
Explore nursery rhyme origins
Historical political events are sometimes encapsulated in an unusual form - the nursery rhyme. This is true of the events surrounding Guy Fawkes. Share the British rhyme “Remember, Remember” with your students, and then explore other nursery rhymes and their origins in political history. Check this site for more.
Remember, remember the fifth of November,
Gunpowder treason and plot.
We see no reason
Why gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot!
Guy Fawkes, guy, t'was his intent
To blow up king and parliament.
Three score barrels were laid below
To prove old England's overthrow.
By god's mercy he was catch'd
With a darkened lantern and burning match.
So, holler boys, holler boys, Let the bells ring.
Holler boys, holler boys, God save the king.
And what shall we do with him?
Burn him!
Social Studies
Explore European History
British history is full of gruesome stories and events that will intrigue your students. Take this opportunity to explore the events leading up to this attempt at blowing up Parliament - and the reign of the infamous King Henry the VIII that led to this foiled dastardly plot to overthrow the British government.
Explore Monarchies
Use this Minute to look at the relationship between the British Monarchy and the Parliament prior to the American Revolution. Can your students find anything in these events that foreshadows the future of the British Empire? Encourage critical thinking about the place for religious freedom (or lack of a place) in British society in the late 16th and early 17th centuries, and explore cause and effect with a historical lens.
Explore holidays
Bonfire Day, aka Guy Fawkes Day is a bizarre kind of holiday, celebrating the execution of a group of men who were using violence to purportedly end the persecution of Catholics in British society. Was this holiday really begun as a cautionary warning by an anxious government? See if your students can find other holidays with political origins and examine the similarities and differences. What conclusions can be drawn?
Explore religious terrorism
We are currently in a global period of some pretty frightening plots devised (some executed) in the name of religion. While this may seem like something new for our students, this Minute reminds us that terrorist activities are often based in religion, and the lens through which we view these activities historically is quite dependent upon the victors and losers in any given situation. Consider having your students develop timelines that follow different religions through their trials and tribulations and then coming together for group compare/contrast. Are there some parallels between some of these timelines? Are there some conclusions we can draw so that we are not doomed to repeat history?
STEM
Explore the chemistry behind invention
The invention of gunpowder in China changed the history of warfare. The chemistry here is not all for the bad - this is the stuff we use for celebrations - fireworks do not happen without gunpowder. What, however, is the chemistry behind explosions? What kinds of things have to happen to get innovative results in a science lab?
Research Skills
Explore global newspapers
Use this Minute to have your students explore global newspapers for how different places globally are celebrating this November 5th holiday. Have them figure out how to generate a list of newspapers that may be relevant.
Explore nursery rhyme origins
Historical political events are sometimes encapsulated in an unusual form - the nursery rhyme. This is true of the events surrounding Guy Fawkes. Share the British rhyme “Remember, Remember” with your students, and then explore other nursery rhymes and their origins in political history. Check this site for more.
Remember, remember the fifth of November,
Gunpowder treason and plot.
We see no reason
Why gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot!
Guy Fawkes, guy, t'was his intent
To blow up king and parliament.
Three score barrels were laid below
To prove old England's overthrow.
By god's mercy he was catch'd
With a darkened lantern and burning match.
So, holler boys, holler boys, Let the bells ring.
Holler boys, holler boys, God save the king.
And what shall we do with him?
Burn him!
Social Studies
Explore European History
British history is full of gruesome stories and events that will intrigue your students. Take this opportunity to explore the events leading up to this attempt at blowing up Parliament - and the reign of the infamous King Henry the VIII that led to this foiled dastardly plot to overthrow the British government.
Explore Monarchies
Use this Minute to look at the relationship between the British Monarchy and the Parliament prior to the American Revolution. Can your students find anything in these events that foreshadows the future of the British Empire? Encourage critical thinking about the place for religious freedom (or lack of a place) in British society in the late 16th and early 17th centuries, and explore cause and effect with a historical lens.
Explore holidays
Bonfire Day, aka Guy Fawkes Day is a bizarre kind of holiday, celebrating the execution of a group of men who were using violence to purportedly end the persecution of Catholics in British society. Was this holiday really begun as a cautionary warning by an anxious government? See if your students can find other holidays with political origins and examine the similarities and differences. What conclusions can be drawn?
Explore religious terrorism
We are currently in a global period of some pretty frightening plots devised (some executed) in the name of religion. While this may seem like something new for our students, this Minute reminds us that terrorist activities are often based in religion, and the lens through which we view these activities historically is quite dependent upon the victors and losers in any given situation. Consider having your students develop timelines that follow different religions through their trials and tribulations and then coming together for group compare/contrast. Are there some parallels between some of these timelines? Are there some conclusions we can draw so that we are not doomed to repeat history?
STEM
Explore the chemistry behind invention
The invention of gunpowder in China changed the history of warfare. The chemistry here is not all for the bad - this is the stuff we use for celebrations - fireworks do not happen without gunpowder. What, however, is the chemistry behind explosions? What kinds of things have to happen to get innovative results in a science lab?
Research Skills
Explore global newspapers
Use this Minute to have your students explore global newspapers for how different places globally are celebrating this November 5th holiday. Have them figure out how to generate a list of newspapers that may be relevant.
© Karen Sterling, 2017 - May be used for educational purposes without written permission