Dr Johnson's House offers workshops for primary, secondary and university students. All workshops are free for students under 16, and £3.50 per person for those 16 and over.
 Information for Group Leaders (PDF, 89KB)
KEYSTAGE 1 & 2 WORKSHOPS
All the Keystage 1 & 2 workshops are free of charge, last 90 minutes, and hold 30 students.
Black History Workshop 
'Frank's Diary: Journey from Jamaica to London'
Key Stage 2 – English, History, Citizenship
Frank Barber was born a slave in the notorious sugar-plantations of Jamaica. Brought to England aged only 8, he was to become the servant, friend, and eventually heir of famous writer Sam Johnson. Find out about Frank's childhood as a slave and his amazing change of fortunes in the 1750s in Dr Johnson's House.
 English Workshop
'Sam Johnson's Famous Dictionary'
Keystage 1 & 2
- English, History
We all use dictionaries - but who writes them? Find out about the story of the first modern dictionary and its author, the eccentric, wise and kindly Sam Johnson. Students will try writing with quills, handling real eighteenth-century dictionaries, and try their hand at writing their own class dictionary.
History Workshop 
'A Day in the Life of a Pauper and a Prince '
Key Stage 1 & 2 History, English
Learn about work, play, health and clothes for children in the eighteenth century. Dress up as a fine lady or gentleman complete with wig and fan; peer into the life of a chimney sweep, and learn how to manage without a toilet!
SECONDARY SCHOOL AND UNIVERSITY STUDENTS
Dr Johnson's House runs combined tours of the House and talks for secondary and university level students.
Talks on Johnson and his Dictionary consider issues such as:
* How did Johnson write the Dictionary, from both a physical and methodological point of view?
* Why did he write the Dictionary?
The purpose of the work is put in the context of British foreign policy and social and literary history.
* What was the ideal of an eighteenth-century dictionary, and how did Johnson transcend this ideal?
* How and in what way does the Dictionary fit in to the development of the English language?
* How was Johnson's Dictionary received on its publication?
Talks on Francis Barber, Johnson's Jamaican servant, discuss:
* British attitudes towards the slave population in their West Indian colonies
* British attitudes towards the population in England
* The ambiguous legal position of Africans and West Indians in Britain in the mid-1700s
* Frank's relationship with Johnson, Boswell and other members of Johnson's circle
We are happy to adjust the theme and emphasis of talks to best complement your class's work.
Please contact Morwenna Rae, the
Education Officer, at education@drjohnsonshouse.org for further details.
FAMILIES 
Free mini-guidebooks with games are available for young visitors from the front desk.
You can also have fun trying on our replica Georgian costumes. See how you would have looked as a child in 18th century London!
Groups of young visitors can also book in workshops outside of school. Please contact Morwenna Rae, the
Education Officer, at education@drjohnsonshouse.org for further details.
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