Jack the Ripper
History Homework Project
KEY SKILLS: Historical knowledge, Enquiry, Interpretation, Evaluation
YOUR TASK
What you are to do?
1. You are to research the crimes of Jack the Ripper in London in 1888. If you are
unsure of what to do please see a history teacher asap.
How will you do it?
2. You must make a ‘Detectives Notebook’. Imagine you are a policeman
investigating the murders of Jack the Ripper and need to remember details to
solve the crimes. You can use any type of notebook or make one using A4 paper.
The notebook will give details of the murders that the Ripper committed in the
East End of London in 1888.
3. Include illustrations, pictures and writing. As this is a detective notebook some
of your work can be presented in note form, relevant doodles, bullet points,
images, letters can be attached and material evidence included (such as clothing
found at the crime scene). You can use ICT to present your work if you wish.
4. The work must be in your own words. It is unacceptable to copy and paste. It is
also pointless as your work will be assessed on the use you have made of the
information and not the amount of information you include.
Why are you doing this work?
5. To develop the historical skills of Enquiry, Interpretation, Evaluation and
improve your knowledge of the time. Your work will be marked to National
Curriculum levels 3 - 8. You can access the general mark scheme below to help you
achieve the highest level you can.
The ‘Detective Notebook’ is an opportunity to present your work in a way which
shows imagination and artistic skill.
Make your work interesting and individual ….. challenge yourself to do the best
work you can.
PLEASE READ THE GUIDE BELOW TO HELP YOU!
A GUIDE TO HELP YOU DO YOUR BEST WORK:
You MUST include the details of one of the women that Jack the Ripper
murdered. You will be looking for the following type of information:
1. What was her life like?
2. Give a description of her appearance.
3. What happened to her during her life?
4. What date was she murdered?
5. What did she do in her last few hours alive?
You SHOULD include an investigation into the area of London that the murders
took place and why the conditions people lived in may have helped a Victorian
criminal.
You will be identifying and including the following type of information:
1. A labelled/annotated map showing where the murders took place (use the map of
London on the webpage http://www.casebook.org/victorian_london/sitepics.html).
2. Who was murdered in each area?
3. What you would be able to see in each area.
4. Why you think that the areas were good sites for the Ripper to murder his
victims? Think about what these murder sites had in common.
5. Try to find and use pictures of the site, either from the time of the murders
and/or from the 20th Century. Explain what each of the pictures show if you use
them.
You COULD include judgements on aspects of the Ripper murders, such as:
1. Who you think Jack the Ripper may have been from the list of identified
suspects.
2. Whether the police lacked the skills to catch the Ripper or if they were just
unlucky?
3. To reach the higher levels you need to show independence in your research and
the skill to complete extra research on the topic using books or the internet.
A List of useful websites:
http://www.casebook.org/
http://www.casebook.org/victims/
http://www.casebook.org/victorian_london/sitepics.html
http://www.casebook.org/suspects/
http://www.accomodata.co.uk/jack.htm
http://www.accomodata.co.uk/suspects.htm
MARKSCHEME
’THE JACK THE RIPPER HOMEWORK PROJECT’
KEY SKILLS: Historical knowledge, Enquiry, Interpretation, Evaluation
Level 3
Can give simple information about Jack the Ripper’s victims, the places that
murders were committed and the suspects. To get a level 4 you must also …
Level 4
Use factual knowledge to show an understanding of Jack the Ripper’s victims, the
places that murders were committed and the suspects.
Beginning to produce work, making the correct use of dates and keywords.
To get a level 5 you must also...
Level 5
Be able to describe in detail (not necessarily all in a written format) the activities
of Jack the Ripper and make links about the similarities between each of the
victims, places and suspects.
For example, explain what each of the victims had in common.
Level 6
You are beginning to explain and analyse the significance of certain events, key
characters and changes happening at the time of the murders. You can assess the
reliability and usefulness of some of the sources you are using, such as witness
statements.
Level 7
You have been able to explain and analyse the significance of certain events, key
characters and changes happening at the time of the murders. You have
considered the issues surrounding the murders critically, for example why were
the murders never solved. You have produce well-structured work in whatever
format you have chosen.
Level 8
You have shown you have analysed and explained a range of historical
interpretations on the Ripper murders, for example you may consider why some
men became suspects with the limited evidence available. You have evaluated
critically a range of sources and reached supported conclusions independently. You
use historical terminology confidently and have produced precise and coherent
work.