York Castle Museum Downloads
We have a number of downloadable trails and teachers’ packs connected to our exhibitions at York Castle Museum – just click on the links below.
Teacher’s Guide
Click here to download the Teacher’s Guide.
Early Years
Early Years Nursery Rhymes
This trail is designed for an adult to use with a small group of children.
Early Years Numeracy Trail on Kirkgate
This Gallery trail explores Kirkgate, the Victorian Street.
Key Stage One
KS1 Homes Trail
This trail takes in the Period Rooms and the Kitchen Area.
KS1 Numeracy Trail
This Gallery trail explores Kirkgate, the Victorian Street.
KS1 Literacy Trail
This Gallery trail explores: The Period Rooms, Toy Stories gallery, the Shaping the Body exhibition, and Kirkgate.
KS1 Toys Trail
This Gallery trail explores the ‘Toy Stories’ exhibition.
Key Stage Two
KS2 Numeracy Trail
This Gallery trail explores Kirkgate, the Victorian Street.
KS2 Literacy Trail
This Gallery trail explores: The Period Rooms, Toy Stories gallery, the Shaping the Body exhibition, and Kirkgate.
KS2 Victorian Childhood Trail
Looking at life through the eyes of a child in The Victorian Parlour and Moorland Cottage, Toy Stories and Kirkgate.
KS2 Victorian Rich and Poor Trail
Stopping at the same galleries as the trail above, but instead looking at the differences between life for the rich and the poor.
KS2 Swinging Sixties Trail
Looking at this exciting decade of change.
Secondary Schools
KS3/4 Prison History Trail
A quiz-style trail which looks back at the museum building’s previous life as two prisons.
KS3/4 Kirkgate Fact Pack
Facts and history about the shops in Kirkgate, plus a handy map.
KS3/4 Poverty in Victorian York
Created in conjunction with the Joseph Rowntree Society this worksheet explores poverty in the Victorian York.
KS3/4 Poverty Information Collection Pack
Investigate several areas of Kirkgate to see what life was like for poor people living in Victorian York.
KS3/4 Victorian Rich and Poor Trail
This trail explores the following galleries in the first section of the museum:
The Victorian Parlour and Moorland Cottage
Toy Stories gallery
Shaping the Body
Kirkgate
These Walls
Based on a key story from These Walls , this KS3/KS4 lesson plan and supporting resources encourages students to take on roles in a courtroom case, arguing the two sides and reaching a verdict.
The lesson plan and resources could be used:
- to increase awareness of the justice system (Citizenship)
- allow students to participate in different roles in a formal debate (Spoken English)
- in history lessons, drama lessons or group work
Download the lesson plan and supporting resources below:
- Lesson plan
- PowerPoint presentation (PDF format)
- Teacher briefing information
- Role Cards
- Student Briefing Sheets
- Optional activity worksheet and quiz
York Castle Museum Quest
Ideal for a visit without a curriculum focus, the Quest encourages creative thinking and language development and is suitable for all ages and abilities – please click here to download the Quest PDF.
ESOL Museum Trail
Specially written by a trained TEFL teacher, this trail will lead your students round the museum giving them a focus to their visit whilst helping them to improve their English language skills – click here to download the trail.
This trail is also available for groups to pre-book ready for their arrival at the museum with clipboards and pencils to borrow for a special introductory price of £5 per 30 students. To book a visit, please click here to complete a booking form and email it to groupbookings@ymt.org.uk.
We also offer two workshops for English Language Learners – click here to find out more.
Guides for Foreign Language Students
York Castle Museum has basic guides for overseas students available below.