Guy Fawkes
KS2 lesson
plan
Two lessons on the
Gunpowder Plot and Guy
Fawkes
Curriculum areas: History, Citizenship
Supporting Resources: Remember, Remember
poem, acrostic poem worksheet, storyboard
worksheet, Have Your Say worksheet
Lesson 1
Starter
Begin with class discussion about how much the students know about Guy Fawkes
& Bonfire Night. Explain that Bonfire Night is to remember the famous plot in 1605
when seven men attempted to blow up the King and Parliament and that it became
known as the Gunpowder Plot.
Whole class activity
Explain the event to the class and also explain that the cellars in Parliament are still
checked by guards every year just before the start of the Royal State Opening of
Parliament ceremony.
Look at the Remember, Remember poem. The whole class could recite this
together.
Group activity
Ask the students to carry out a storyboarding task in small groups, using the
storyboard worksheet. They should cut out the storyboard cards and put them into
the correct sequence for the story. This will check their understanding of the story.
Summary of key points
In small groups, pairs or individually, the students should write an acrostic poem
using the words Gunpowder Plot and selecting key points from the story.
Plenary
Write a class acrostic poem, using ideas from the students own poems.
Lesson 2
Starter
Hand out the storyboard card sort from the previous lesson and see which group can
put the story together in the fastest time.
Whole class activity
Each person should choose a character from the story. In pairs they should discuss
(or write down) three facts about what happened to that person and how they must
have felt at different points in the story. Ask for a volunteer to take the hot seat. Ask
that person (in character) a series of questions about their identity, their role in the
plot, their motivations for their actions and how it made them feel. Always reassure
the students that the person in the hot seat is in character and not answering the
questions as themselves.
The class should try to think of questions to ask. Ask for further volunteers to take
the hot seat.
Group activity
In pairs or small groups ask the students to have their say on what Robert Catesby
and the gang did and what happened to them. They should record their thoughts on
the Have Your Say worksheet.
Summary of key points
Ask students to feedback their opinions from this exercise and facilitate a whole
class discussion. This exercise will allow you to explore the concept of taking
responsible action to bring about change. Summarise the discussion into three or
four key points.
Plenary
Take a look back at the Remember Remember poem. Ask the students to create a
new poem, song or rap in remembrance of the Gunpowder Plot.
Finish by sharing some of these with the class.
Gunpowder Plot worksheet
Remember, Remember
Remember, remember the fifth of November,
The gunpowder treason and plot.
I see no reason why gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot.
Guy Fawkes, twas 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 catched,
With a dark lantern and lighted match.
Holler boys, holler boys, let the bells ring
Holler boys, holler boys, God save the King
Gunpowder Plot worksheet
Acrostic poem
G is for the guards searching the cellar for the gunpowder.
U ................................................................................................................................
N ................................................................................................................................
P .................................................................................................................................
O ...............................................................................................................................
W ................................................................................................................................
D .................................................................................................................................
E .................................................................................................................................
R .................................................................................................................................
P ................................................................................................................................
L ................................................................................................................................
O ................................................................................................................................
T .....................................................................................................................
Key words from the story: tunnel, dig, cellar, letter, Lord Monteagle,
Robert Catesby, Parliament, hung, drawn, quartered, Tower of London, torture, rack,
Catholic, Protestant, religion, arrest, barrels, matches, Royal State Opening of
Parliament ceremony.
Gunpowder Plot worksheet
Have Your Say
Robert Catesby and the plotters were all Catholic. The Protestant King
and Parliament would not let them practice their religion. What do you
think about this?
............................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................
Do you think Robert Catesby and the plotters were right to challenge the
King and Parliament? Explain your answer.
............................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................
What do you think about the way they decided to take action?
............................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................
Do you think it was right that the plotters were put to death? Explain your
answer.
............................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................
Gunpowder Plot worksheet
Storyboard
Plotting
Robert Catesby gathers a group of seven men to help him in a plot to blow up the King James I
and Parliament at the Royal State Opening of Parliament on 5 November. He has to persuade
them to join him. He reminds them that the King is not letting Catholics practise their religion. The
gang are very angry and think the King deserves to die.
Digging the Tunnel
In May 1604 Guy Fawkes and Thomas Percy find a house very near to Parliament and rent it.
Fawkes called himself John Johnson and pretends he is Percy's servant. They then began to dig
a tunnel underground from their rented house to Parliament to smuggle in the gunpowder. They
dig, and they dig and they dig...
Planting the gunpowder
In March1605 the gang have a stroke of luck. A cellar underneath the House of Lords comes up
for rent. They can abandon their digging and rent the cellar. They put 36 barrels of gunpowder in
the cellar ready for the Royal State Opening of Parliament. They cover the barrels with fire wood
to disguise them in case anyone looked inside.
Lord Monteagles letter
Lord Monteagle, a very important man and friend of King James, is given a letter at dinner on
October 26th 1605. A tall, mysterious stranger had handed it to his servant in the street earlier in
the evening. He takes his mystery letter to show to friends in the government, but they are slow to
act. King James I is away hunting and many ministers are suspicious that it is a fake.
Guy Fawkes in the cellar
The gang find out about the letter but they are determined to carry out their plot. On the afternoon
of 5 November 1605, Guy Fawkes takes up his position in the cellar with his matches and waits
for the ceremony to start. Soldiers come to check the cellar. On first look they find nothing and just
question Guy Fawkes. They return to check again and find the gunpowder. Guy Fawkes is
arrested and taken to see the King.
King, Tower and Torture
King James I is furious. He demands that Guy Fawkes reveal the names of anyone else involved
with the plot. Guy Fawkes is determined not to give them up, even when the King threatens him
with imprisonment in the Tower of London. He is sent to the Tower where is he tortured on a rack.
He eventually gives them the names of the other plotters.
Hung, Drawn and Quartered!
The gang are caught and publically hung, drawn and quartered. Their heads are placed on sticks
for everyone to see what punishment awaits anyone who might plot to kill the King.
