Lesson 1 TES Description – Life on Board the Titanic: Class & Contrast

Enquiry question: How did the Titanic reflect Edwardian society and its class divisions?

Lesson focus: Students explore Edwardian society, the idea of the “unsinkable” ship, and the diversity of passengers on board. Through source analysis, structured peer discussion and guided in‑lesson tasks, students build a clear understanding of how class shaped experience on the Titanic. The lesson concludes with two contrasting diary entries: one from a First Class passenger and one from a Working Class passenger.

Learning objectives
Students will:

• Understand Edwardian society and its class divisions.
• Examine why the ship was marketed as “unsinkable”.
• Investigate the diversity of those on board.

What’s included

• In‑lesson tasks using adverts, images and passenger information
• Peer tasks to compare interpretations and build vocabulary
• Worksheet to support note‑making and diary planning
• Writing outcome: two diary entries (First Class vs Working Class)

Why teachers love this lesson
A strong, visually engaging introduction to the Titanic enquiry. Clear historical context, purposeful peer talk and a high‑impact writing task make this lesson ideal for developing empathy, literacy and understanding of early 20th‑century society.

Some visuals in this resource were made with AI to help bring ideas to life and support student understanding.