KS1 History

During the first lesson in this series your class will be introduced to characters from different eras and the toys they liked to play with. They will explore different toys, examining and discussing how they have changed over time. They will be enco... Read More

In the second lesson of this series your class will explore different crazes that have interested children. They will find out about recent crazes as well as historical ones. They will be encouraged to discuss if they recognise any of the crazes and ... Read More

Your class will look at different types of homes and discuss their similarities and differences, before comparing them to their own homes. They will go on to explore and discuss how the interiors of the homes have changed over time. Finally they will... Read More

Your class will learn what schools were like in different eras. They will compare how schools have changed and think about how they are the same. They will use photographs as their main source of evidence and be encouraged to explain how and why they... Read More

Your class will explore how clothes have changed from Victorian times to now. They will be encouraged to think about how practical the clothes are for activities they enjoy doing. They will identify similarities and differences between the clothes as... Read More

In the final lesson of this series your class will explore how leisure activities have changed over time. Your class will think about what they like to do for fun, while they explore popular activities in the past. This lesson and series concludes wi... Read More

The first lesson in this series encourages your class to think about all the ways they can get in touch with someone today, before considering the ways in which people have communicated in the past. Going back to prehistoric cave paintings and then l... Read More

This lesson takes a look at the history of books as your class finds out how they were produced before and after the printing press. They will be introduced to William Caxton and find out how and when he brought the printing press to England, and the... Read More

Moving into the nineteenth century, this lesson looks at how the invention of telegraphs changed the way people were able to communicate with each other. It also explores the code system created by Samuel Morse and gives children the chance to transl... Read More

This fun lesson looks at the invention of the telephone by Alexander Graham Bell and his assistant Mr Watson. It explores what people first thought of telephones and investigates how the use of telephones spread. There is also the chance to create th... Read More

This lesson looks at one of the most significant inventions in the history of communication - the world wide web. Your class will be introduced to Tim Berners-Lee and find out what the difference between the internet and the web is. They can then use... Read More

This lesson looks at two important figures in the history of communication and compares their lives and achievements. From Caxton in the fifteenth century to Berners-Lee in the twentieth century, your class will consider ways in which their lives wer... Read More

The final lesson in this series gives your class the chance to consolidate what they have learnt about the history of communication. They will look back at everything they have found out from cave paintings to the world wide web, and put key events i... Read More

The first lesson in this series introduces your class to what a monarch is and where they live. Your children will learn who the three famous queens they will be studying are and which palaces they lived in. Your children will look at pictures of pal... Read More

Your class will learn about the famous Queen Elizabeth I and the Tudor family in this lesson. Your children will begin to understand how Elizabeth I became queen and what life was like during the Tudor period. They will also learn about the changes t... Read More

Your class will find out lots of information about Queen Victoria's life and how she became queen during this lesson. Introduce them to Buckingham Palace and how Victoria used it as her home, as well as finding out about her marriage and children. Yo... Read More

Explore a significant period in history with your class as they find out about some of the changes that took place in Britain when Queen Victoria was in power. Your class will learn about the achievements of Queen Victoria and how she helped to make ... Read More

Explore the life of a modern-day queen with this lesson on Queen Elizabeth II. Your children will learn about Elizabeth II's life and achievements, finding out that queens are very busy people! There is also the chance to find out about the royal fam... Read More

This interesting lesson will encourage your class to think about what they have found out about the three queens and start to compare what life was like during each of their reigns. They will think about how life has changed across the Tudor, Victori... Read More

The final lesson in this series gives your children the opportunity to compare the three famous queens they have learnt about. Your class can play the 'Who am I?' game and find out some more interesting facts about each queen, as well as using images... Read More

Explore the early life of Florence Nightingale with your Year 2 class in the first lesson of this History scheme of work. Your class will be introduced to Florence Nightingale, exploring her childhood, family and education. They will find out when sh... Read More

This Florence Nightingale Scutari lesson teaches your class about why Florence went to the hospital in Scutari and what she found when she got there. They will think about what the journey was like for Florence and the 38 other nurses who went with h... Read More

In this lesson, your class will learn why people called Florence Nightingale the lady with the lamp. Your KS1 class will explore the improvements Florence Nightingale made at the hospital in Scutari (after the doctors reluctantly allowed women to ass... Read More

This lesson starts by asking the class to name their favourite celebrities before going on to explore Florence's later years when she became one of Britain's most well-known and well-loved women. It looks at the work she did when she returned to Engl... Read More

This lesson challenges your class to identify similarities and differences between medical care now and in Victorian times. They will look at the differences between nurses' outfits then and now as well as hospital wards, using pictures as prompts. T... Read More

The final lesson in this series recaps on the life of Florence Nightingale and gives your KS1 class the chance to consolidate everything they have learnt about the lady with the lamp. The included slideshow presentation challenges your class to recal... Read More

This lesson on Bonfire Night traditions starts by thinking about how Bonfire Night is celebrated today. Your class will think and talk about their own Bonfire Night experiences. The lesson ends with your class listening to firework sounds and discuss... Read More

This lesson explores who was King James I, how he became king and what life was like in Britain at the end of the Tudor period. Your class will learn about religious conficts at this time and find out what life was like for Catholics in England durin... Read More

Learn all about the Guy Fawkes story, finding out who he was and why he decided to leave England and join the Spanish army. This lesson recaps the religious tensions in England during the reign of King James I, before explaing how Guy became involved... Read More

Now that your class are familiar with the build up of the Guy Fawkes story, they will find out what happened on November 5th 1605. They will discover how the king found out about the Gunpowder Plot and about the fate of the conspirators! This down... Read More

The final lesson in this series encourages your class to think about and answer the question 'Why do we celebrate Bonfire Night?'. It recaps what your class have found out about Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot, and gives them the opportunity to rec... Read More

Before looking at what homes were like in the past, this lesson gets your class thinking about the different types of homes that are around today and what their different features are, from bungalows to terraced houses to houseboats. This lesson will... Read More

What do homes all have in common? What are the differences between a detached home and a caravan? Children will look at a variety of types of homes (such as semi-detached, bungalows, flats and terraced houses) and take a closer look at their features... Read More

This lesson begins to explore what homes that were built a long time ago were like and informs the children about some of the different fashions and building styles in homes across the centuries. They will be introduced to four characters from four d... Read More

This lesson introduces your class to Queen Victoria and the Victorian era as they investigate what the interior of Victorian homes were like. Using photos of reconstructions as well as photographs of rooms taken in Victorian times, your class will st... Read More

This lesson takes a closer look at some Victorian rooms and explores what they have that we don't and vice versa. Your class will use specially designed illustrations to identify similarities and differences between Victorian and modern kitchens and ... Read More

The final lesson in this series consolidates what the children have found out about Victorian homes and allows children to express their knowledge of homes in the past in a variety of ways, including discussing what they would most enjoy and least en... Read More

The first lesson in this series introduces your class to Christopher Columbus and explains what he was trying to achieve by sailing west from Europe. They will discover what life was like in the 15th century and how it differs to life today, as well ... Read More

This lesson investigates Columbus' famous voyage of 1492. Children will be reminded that Columbus was trying to find a quick way to get to Asia before discovering where he actually ended up! They will also think about what a sea journey might have be... Read More

This lesson examines why Columbus' discovery of the Americas was so significant and how this changed people's lives. They will also explore some of the objects he brought back to Europe, including pineapples, potatoes and turkeys, and meet some of th... Read More

After looking at pictures of both Columbus and Armstrong to identify differences, your children will find out how exploration of the world changed after Columbus and what was left to explore by people like Armstrong. They will also find out facts abo... Read More

This lesson explores the Apollo 11 mission and man's first landing on the moon. Your class will be encouraged to think about how Armstrong and the other astronauts might have felt and discover what everyday items have been developed thanks to space e... Read More

Now that your class know lots about both Armstrong and Columbus, they can use what they have found out to compare the lives and achievements of both explorers. They will think of as many comparisons as they can and sort information into Venn diagrams... Read More

The final lesson in this series offers your children the chance to consolidate all they have learnt about Columbus and Armstrong to decide who they think is the greater explorer. After looking at Columbus Day celebrations and why some people are agai... Read More

This lesson introduces your class to Isaac Newton and the fact that he lived a long time ago. They will then find out about his childhood, including details of his family life, his schooling and the expectations his mother had for him. They will go o... Read More

This lesson explores Isaac Newton's scientific discoveries, including the spectrum of light, gravity, calculus and the reflecting telescope. Your children will find out about these discoveries in a clear and simple way (no calculus problems to solve!... Read More

This lesson looks at some of the reasons why Isaac Newton might have found it difficult to make friends, before introducing your class to some of his contemporaries. Your class will find out who helped and supported Isaac Newton throughout his life, ... Read More

After thinking about some of the ways in which scientists tell people about their work today, your class will investigate ways in which Isaac Newton told people about his ideas and inventions, from written articles to chats with friends. Your class w... Read More

To get your class thinking about how science and scientific enquiry has changed since the 17th century, this lesson begins by asking your class to compare a picture of Isaac Newton and modern scientists undertaking experiments. It then goes on to exp... Read More

The final lesson in this series starts by re-capping what your class have learnt about Isaac Newton, before going on to explore what he did in his later life, such as becoming President of the Royal Society, and how his work allowed other scientists ... Read More

The first lesson in this series exploring seaside holidays in the past for KS1, starts by thinking about when we have holidays. Your class will find out what the word 'holiday' means before taking a closer look at seaside holiday activities. They wil... Read More

During this History focused seaside holidays lesson for KS1 your class will compare historical seaside photos and paintings with modern photos. They will explain the features that helped them identify if the pictures were from the past or the present... Read More

In this history lesson for KS1 your class will find out why the seaside was only enjoyed by rich people in the past. Your class will look at the inventions that made seaside holidays more accessible for everyone, including the role the steam train ha... Read More

Take your class back in time 100 years as they explore what seaside holidays were like 100 years ago at the height of their popularity. There they will discover all the delights of the seaside, including Punch and Judy shows, brass bands, jellied eel... Read More

During this lesson your children will apply their knowledge of seaside holidays in the past to order seaside holidays in chronological order from the past to the present. Your class will order photos of, and facts about, seaside holidays from 100 yea... Read More

The final lesson in this series encourages your class to think about the similarities and differences between seaside holidays now and 100 years ago. Your children will compare modes of transport to the beach, beach clothing, popular foods to eat and... Read More

1666 London: a very different place then, compared to how it is today! In this first lesson of the complete scheme of work, you'll introduce your class to the Great Fire by looking at what London was like in 1666. Children will compare maps and pict... Read More

The Great Fire of London story is retold, in this lesson, from the point of view of Samuel Pepys. The detailed slides describe key points in the events prior to, and during, the fire. The differentiated activities challenge children to sequence the... Read More

What caused the Great Fire of London? With your class, delve deeper into the reasons why the fire lasted so long, and how London was changed to prevent fires spreading so quickly again. Children will look at a variety of factors which contributed to... Read More

This lesson looks at how we know about the Great Fire of London, focusing specifically on the diary of Samuel Pepys and his actions during September of 1666. It then goes on to look at other sources, such as pictures, objects and newspapers, and enco... Read More

The final lesson in this series recaps everything children have learnt about the Great Fire of London. It gives them the opportunity to express their knowledge and understanding through a variety of fun KS1 activities, such as creating pictures, poe... Read More

This Our Favourite Toys KS1 History lesson planning pack is the first of five lessons in the 'Toys Past and Present' scheme of work. In it, your class will take a closer look at their favourite toys, or toys that are familiar to them. They'll be enco... Read More

To get your key stage 1 children thinking about the history of toys, this lesson introduces them to some people the same age as their parents and grandparents. Your class will investigate the kind of toys grown-ups liked to play with when they were y... Read More

In this Toys From the Past lesson, your class will learn what the term 'decade' means, then go on to investigate popular toys from past decades. As well as learning to order dates chronologically, your children will also have fun finding out about po... Read More

Old and new toys are the subject of comparison in this investigative History lesson. Your class will use a growing range of vocabulary (there's resources included to help them with that!) to describe old and new toys, as they sort them into different... Read More

Challenge your children to become toys history detectives and investigate a range of toys, old and new. What differences can they identify? In this lesson, your class will order pictures chronologically by looking at the same toy (such as a doll or c... Read More

The final lesson in this series consolidates what the children have learnt about toys and challenges them to transform the classroom into a toy museum to show what they have found out. To do this, they will have to organise and arrange toys into cate... Read More

The first lesson in this series begins by thinking about events we remember and celebrate every year, from Christmas to Valentine's Day, and introduces Remembrance Day as an event we remember in November and commemorate with poppies. Read More

This lesson teaches your class a little about World War I and how it affected people all around the world before looking at the armistice and subsequent celebrations. It also challenges your class to think about the mixed emotions people would have f... Read More

This thought-provoking lesson takes a look at war memorials and challenges your class to consider the names of those listed on such memorials. They can investigate some war memorials for themselves either through photos, the internet or visiting a lo... Read More

This lesson explores what happens at the National Service of Memorial in Whitehall, London on the second Sunday of November, including laying wreaths at the cenotaph, the parades of veterans and current service men and women, and listening to the 'La... Read More

The final lesson in this series encourages your children to think about why it is important to remember events such as WWI and WWII, even though they happened a long time ago. It explains that Remembrance Day is something that is commemorated around ... Read More