Lesson Plan - The Great London Blaze of 1666
Elective Home Education (EHE) gives you the freedom to tailor learning to your child’s interests, pace, and preferred way of exploring the world. Our lesson plans are made with that in mind—structured enough to guide you, but flexible enough to follow your learner’s curiosity. Each one includes reading, discussion, hands-on tasks, creative ideas, and extension suggestions.
Think of these as launchpads rather than strict schedules. One of the joys of home education is being able to pause, dive deeper, or take detours. If your learner becomes fascinated by a certain moment or figure from history—run with it! Use this plan to open up meaningful conversations and learning experiences. Adapt, skip, or stretch activities depending on your child’s energy, interest, or age.
This lesson plan is designed to go with our Info Zone topic on Fire! Fire! The Great London Blaze of 1666.
| Lesson Plan: Fire! Fire! The Great London Blaze of 1666 | |
|---|---|
| Overview | This home education lesson explores the events, causes, and consequences of the Great Fire of London in 1666. Learners will investigate how the fire started, how it spread, and how it changed the city forever. |
| Learning Objectives |
- Understand the main events of the Great Fire of London - Explore what life was like in 17th century London - Examine how the city responded and rebuilt after the disaster |
| Estimated Time | 45–60 minutes |
| Starter Activity |
Ask: “What would you do if a fire started in your street today?” Then look at a painting or image of London in 1666 and discuss: What might make a fire hard to stop in those days? |
| Read and Learn |
Read our Info Zone topic about The Great Fire of London either aloud with someone or quietly on your own. Then think about or discuss the following:
Use Google Maps to find Pudding Lane, Monument to the Great Fire, and the River Thames. How close were these places to one another? |
| Activities |
Comprehension Questions:
Creative Writing: Write a short story or diary entry as a child escaping the fire. Where do you go? What do you see, smell, or hear? Timeline Activity:
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| Deeper Thinking |
Big Question: "Could the Great Fire have been prevented?" Explore the causes of the fire. Was it just bad luck—or poor planning? |
| Creative Projects |
- Build a model of 1666 London using recycled materials or LEGO - Draw a “before and after” map of London showing how it changed - Design a poster teaching people how to prevent fires in olden times |
| Review & Reflect |
Ask the learner:
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| Extensions & Homework |
- Watch a video animation of the Great Fire of London - Create a fact sheet about Samuel Pepys and his diary - Research how London’s buildings and fire safety laws changed afterwards |
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