1. Samuel Pepys and the Great Fire of London - Part 1

During the programme the children will:

  • Use imaginary 'chronometers' to travel back in time to the year 1666 and to the City of London, near the River Thames.
  • Hear about sailing boats, rowing boats and ferries on the River Thames during the Stuart period.
  • Learn and sing Verse 1 of the song ‘Flow, flow, flow’, using a soft, gentle voice and taking a breath before each phrase.
  • Copy the words of Verse 2 and the ‘Coda’ (section at the end).
  • Find out about Samuel Pepys and his diary. Meet Pepys at home with his wife Elizabeth and hear from his diary about the terrible plague in London in the previous year (1665).
  • Listen to some ‘early’ instruments from 17th century London - recorder and flageolet (another kind of whistle-flute), viol, theorbo (a kind of big lute, like a pear-shaped guitar) and ‘harpsichord’ (a twangy keyboard instrument).
  • Visit Pudding Lane and Thomas Farrynor’s bakery where the Great Fire started.
  • Perform rhythmic baking-actions and hand-clapping patterns with a partner.
  • Learn the song 'Loaves of bread and puddings and pies’.
  • Repeat the song ‘Flow, flow, flow’ with gentle swaying-in time.
  • Consolidate the work done during the programme by using the additional music files on the website to practise the songs ‘Flow, flow, flow’ and 'Loaves of bread and puddings and pies' and to listen to some funeral music from the Stuart period.

Song: 'Loaves of bread and puddings and pies'

Sing to the full vocal version of ‘Loaves of bread and puddings and pies’ from Music: KS1

Sing to the backing track of ‘Loaves of bread and puddings and pies’ from Music: KS 1

Song: 'Flow, flow, flow'

Sing along to the full vocal version of ‘Flow, flow, flow’ from Music: Key Stage 1

Sing along to the backing track of ‘Flow, flow, flow’ from Music: Key Stage 1

Play next

A second programme exploring The Great Fire of London through songs and music activities.

2: Samuel Pepys and the Great Fire of London - Part 2

Exploring the rebuilding of London following the Fire through songs and music activities.

3: Samuel Pepys and the Great Fire of London - Part 3

Exploring The Great Fire of London through dance and movement activities.

4. The Fire begins in Pudding Lane