A Load of Rubbish: Using Victorian throwaways in the classroom

There are many effective ways of using artefacts and resources for the Victorians, but how many teachers have considered using the rubbish that the Victorians literally threw away? This material can cost nothing or be very cheap to resource, is a direct link with the past, and, even better, it is even possible for children to find some of this material for themselves. Thus children can actually become archaeologists, which in turn inspires and motivates them to be much more aware of the past around them. The material in turn can be studied in a variety of ways and there is also considerable potential in cross-curricular activities.