2025 marks the 200th anniversary of the railway in the UK—a milestone in transport history that began with the opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway in 1825. Railways revolutionised not only travel but also trade, and society in general, connecting cities and communities in ways never imagined before. This collection of classroom activities invites students to explore the historical, technological, cultural, and literary impact of trains and railways through engaging lessons.
RISORSA 1 – THE POWER OF LOOKING per le quinte+CLIL
- Give your students some time to look at this painting: J. M. W. Turner’s Rain, Steam and Speed – The Great Western Railway
- And ask them to complete the THINKING ROUTINE: SEE THINK WONDER. Dowload the template here
- Let them share what they have and carry on the debate with more specific questions:
- What draws your attention most in this painting? Why?
- What modes of transport can be seen in the painting? Where might they be headed? How fast are they going?
- What kind of noises could you hear?
- Look at the title. How important is weather to this scene? What’s the weather like? Would you need a raincoat or a sun hat?
- What effect does steam have on our ability to see things clearly?
- Listen to the audio description of the painting and complete the SEE, THINK, WONDER scheme.
Audio description of ‘Rain, Steam and Speed – The Great Western Railway’ by J. M. W. Turner | Art UK - Final stage: Compare and contrast this experience with one of your experiences on a train (atmosphere, speed etc.)
RISORSA 2- NOVEL
Sal, Joe, Francie and Humphrey misplace their famous mapmaker mother as they begin the Great Race to map a rail route through an uncharted wilderness. Their father didn’t return from his last expedition and now their money is gone. This race is their last chance. They have twenty-eight days to find and map the best route. There’ll be bears, bees, bats, river crossings, cliff falls, impossible weather—but worstof all, they’re racing five teams of adults who do not play by the rules.
ACTIVITIES BASED ON THE BOOK
- Make an advertisement for the Great Race
- Essay writing: Why is the railway so important for the places mentioned in the book?
- Create a poster celebrating the railway.
RISORSA 3 – LEAFLET ON RAILWAYS FOR READING COMPREHENSION
RISORSA 4 – VICTORIAN TRAINS EXTERNAL LINK
RISORSA 5 – TRANSPORT – CANALS AND TRAINS EXTERNAL LINK
RISORSA 6 – NO PREP ACTIVITY “Ticket to Platform 9¾”
Warm up – Display a poster/picture of the platform and prompt students with these questions:
- What is Platform 9¾, and why is it important in Harry Potter?
- How does it reflect the separation between the magical and Muggle worlds?
- What makes a place feel “magical” or “hidden” in a story?
Have students brainstorm magical locations in pairs, then share with the class.
Creative Writing – “Design Your Own Secret Platform”
Imagine you’re a young witch or wizard going to a different magical school, not Hogwarts. You need to find a secret platform or passageway from the Muggle world. Write a short descriptive piece or mini story (150words ) that answers:
- What’s the location? (e.g., subway station, museum, laundromat)
- How do you access it? (e.g., knock a rhythm, spin a sign, whisper to a wall)
- What does it look like once you’re through?
- What kind of train or transportation is waiting?
Optional:
- Draw a ticket for your magical platform.
- Create a sign or poster advertising your magical train.
Plenary – Class discusses: Which entrances were the most imaginative?
