Dear Mr Dickens: Stereotyping and advocacy

When Charles Dickens wrote Oliver Twist, it was hailed as a masterpiece and is still read and loved by people across the world today. However, not everyone has felt that way. Join the Learning Team at the Charles Dickens Museum to find out more about stereotyping in Dickens’ novel and how one Jewish Victorian woman stood up against this.

Through examining extracts from Nany Churnin's book, Dear Mr Dickens, students will be empowered to call out stereotyping and make a stand against discrimination. As well as making students more aware of  conscious and unconscious bias, students will investigate the social themes Dickens was keen to raise awareness of on an interactive tour around Dickens’ house.  

The onsite session price includes a resource pack for use back in the classroom featuring a reading of the Dear Mr Dickens story by Miriam Margolyes, a lesson which further explores the idea of discrimination in the world today, as well as structured letter writing activities for students to complete themselves.

Curriculum Links:
KS2: Citizenship

• developing confidence and responsibility and making the most of their abilities
• preparing to play an active role as citizens
• developing good relationships and respecting the differences between people

KS2 English

• Reading - comprehension
• Writing – composition

KS2: History

• a study of an aspect or theme in British history that extends pupils’ chronological knowledge beyond 1066 (Victorian Britain)
• the lives of significant individuals in the past who have contributed to national and international achievements, some should be used to compare aspects of life in different periods
• events beyond living memory that are significant nationally or globally 

Costs:
Onsite – 2 hours. All workshops are integrated into interactive guided tours of the historic house.

Class of up to 30 students, Off-peak £250 (Jan-Oct), Peak £290 (Nov-Dec). Please enquire for smaller groups. 

Booking:

Booking forms and enquiries should be sent to: education@dickensmuseum.com
Download onsite education visit booking form
Download onsite education visit terms and conditions
Download onsite education visit visual story for schools

We can accommodate a maximum of 30 students per booking slot. We have the capacity to run two half day sessions onsite each day from 10:00 – 12:00 and 13:00-15:00. Please note that for the safety of your group we require a minimum adult-to-student ratio of 1:10 for each onsite booking. 

Please be advised that full payment is required in order to confirm your booking.
Amendments and cancellations must be made at least 21 days prior to your visit, after which no refund will be available.