The objects featured here derive from different parts of the empire. In each lesson, we explore the object’s original context and meaning as well as its relationship to colonialism, in order to give students a nuanced understanding of imperial power dynamics and local agency and resistance.

This page shows a selection of featured objects, but you can search by key word or the search filters allow you to search by:

• Theme: curriculum themes the object supports
• Period: by century
• Place:  by continent

Each object has a ‘lesson planning overview’ one page slide. This follows our guideline for how to incorporate objects by offering:

• Object summary: a potted history of the object and its story.
• Digital image: with reference to where the image is taken from to encourage proper referencing of objects and so you can refer to where museum collection the object has come from.
• Scholarship: All objects overviews and lessons are underpinned by scholarship about the object and/or the period in question. There are links/reference to the scholarship, along with further reading and suggestions.
• Curriculum Themes: This is list of the key themes the object helps to explore to help you begin to consider where and how this may fit for your curriculum.
• Period and Place: This is listed and illustrated to support with building a sense of period and place within your curriculum.
• Lesson: This will either be a lesson sequence or lesson ideas for ways that the object could be incorporated into your curriculum at lesson level. We’re always keen to hear more!
• Pairing and Sequencing: Here we examine ways the object can be paired with others and sequenced with other empire themes. These mix examples of how the object has already been used by teachers, along with suggestions for how it could be used in other ways.
• Notes on teaching: This provides an opportunity for teachers to reflect on how the object was used and what students in their setting were able to draw from the object.