Master Collection activity 1f: the story of a ship

Pupils research and explore the story of a ship using an example from the Learn with Objects website as inspiration.

This is used as the starting point for research into the history of the ship and a piece of creative writing or poetry inspired by it.

Learning objectives
Increased knowledge and understanding of ships, how they were built, their use, the perils of voyages and the lives of their crews. Being inspired to write a piece of creative writing or poetry.

Curriculum links

KS1-2 English (creative writing, poetry)

KS1-4 Art (investigating art)
KS1-2 History (history of transport)

Ships of all sorts and sizes are depicted in the Maritime Folkestone, Seaside Holidays, WW1 and WW2 topics of the Learn with Objects website as well as the Master Collection.

Or pupils could imagine a ship and its crew trading with Folkestone in Iron Age or Roman times.

Ask pupils to write the story of a ship, using one of the following as inspiration found on the Learn with Objects website::

• lithograph of warships in Malta harbour
• Samuel Prout’s drawings of hulks on the Thames and at Portsmouth
• The SS Queen - the Cross-Channel steamer that sailed between Folkestone and Boulogne and also transported soldiers to France in WW1
• Paintings of the Pelter Brig in the Warren
• Sinking of the ‘Bienvenue’ 
• One of the Dunkirk Little Ships from Folkestone.
• One of the ships bringing Belgian refugees to Folkestone in WW1 or the sinking of the RMS Laurentic. 
• A fishing boat, smuggler’s boat or lifeboat from Folkestone, Sandgate or Hythe
• A Roman merchant ship trading with the settlement at East Wear Bay

Learn with Objects links
Use Learn with Objects Master Collection 1 and 4; Maritime 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 and 9; Romans 10; WW1 1 and 17; and WW2 10.