From crime and punishment to key inventions, Dodger and the gang provide an entertaining and informative introduction to life in Victorian Britain.
Dodger is a new ten-part family adventure set before the events of Charles Dickens' iconic novel Oliver Twist. It follows the exploits of the infamous pickpocket, The Artful Dodger, and Fagin’s gang as they find ingenious ways to survive the grim and exploitative conditions of early Victorian London in the 1830s.
You can watch Dodger on the C±«Óătv channel, or on ±«Óătv iPlayer.
You can also watch our Dodger-themed Live Lesson for 7-11 year-old pupils here. With the help of specially-filmed messages from Dodger characters, this half-hour programme challenges pupils to think about the differences between their modern lives and those of Victorian children, particularly during the Industrial Revolution. The lesson also examines primary and secondary sources, to see what they can tell us about the harsh reality of child labour.
The short films below are suitable for teaching history at KS2 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and at 2nd Level in Scotland.
Teachers please note that although the actors are in character, looking like children living in the 1830s, in these videos they are taking on the role of teachers and so are able to use knowledge from the whole of the Victorian period and beyond.
Queen Victoria reigned from 1837 until her death in 1901. This makes it difficult to briefly summarise what life was like in Victorian Britain, as it changed significantly during the period. It would be similar to asking children in the future what life was like during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II. Britain in 1952 was very different from now, and pupils might appreciate that their lives and homes are very different from those of their parents and grandparents.
Therefore these short films are designed to stimulate pupils' curiosity, rather than provide a comprehensive overview of life in Victorian Britain.
Dodger's guide to being a Victorian kid. video
In this short film for primary schools Dodger and the gang provide a brief guide to life for children in Victorian Britain, including some of the ways in which children were employed.
Dodger's guide to poverty and the workhouse. video
In this short film for primary schools Dodger and the gang provide a brief guide to the Victorian workhouse and the common diseases from the time, particularly cholera.
Dodger's guide to key inventions. video
In this short film for primary schools Dodger and the gang provide a guide to those inventions from the Victorian era which changed lives then and now.
Dodger's guide to Victorian London. video
In this short film for primary schools Dodger and the gang provide an introduction to Victorian London which was, at that time, the biggest city in the world.
Dodger's guide to crime and punishment. video
In this short film for primary schools Dodger and the gang provide a brief guide to crime and punishment in Victorian Britain.
Where next?
Ancient Voices. collection
In a series of short films, archaeologist Raksha Dave explores the amazing places, monuments and archaeological finds left behind from prehistoric Britain to build a picture of what it must have been like living in the Stone, Bronze and Iron Ages.
Bitesize
Use these Bitesize resources to set homework, independent study tasks or to consolidate learning for your pupils.
Newsround
The latest news stories from Newsround to share in the classroom.
