KS1 History

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

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

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

Before looking at castles in detail your class will find out who built the first castles in Britain and why. In this lesson your class will examine the Bayeux Tapestry and discover why William the Conqueror invaded England. They will begin to explore... Read More

Now that your class know who was ruling England after the Battle of Hastings, they will explore the two types of castles built by the Normans. They will examine both motte and bailey and keep and bailey castles by looking at their features. Your clas... Read More

In this lesson your class will explore medieval castles that were built when the Normans were no longer ruling Britain. They will compare and contrast a variety of medieval castles, focusing on the defensive features, such as moats, keeps and drawbri... Read More

Who lived in a medieval castle? What jobs did they do? Who was in charge? These are all questions your class will find the answers to in this lesson. They will learn who had the most dangerous job and why some lords had a taster. Your class will be a... Read More

In this lesson your class will find out how the peasants felt about being taxed most of their money and the role the Tower of London played during the Peasant’s Revolt. They will begin to think about how taxes are used today and compare this with w... Read More

In this final history lesson your class will take a detailed look into what the Tower of London has been used for since it was built. They will discover that since its first beginnings as a Norman stronghold, it has protected its inhabitants, been ho... 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

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

After looking at some modern modes of transport and the types of journeys that each are suitable for, your class will investigate what forms of transport were used before cars, trains and planes were invented. They will also consider the impact this ... Read More

This lesson teaches your class about the invention of the steam train and how trains have developed over the years. They will think about what impact the invention of trains has had on society and explore the differences between early trains and trai... Read More

Today there are millions of cars in the UK but do your class know when cars were first used to travel from place to place? They will soon find out with this lesson as they find out about the very first motor cars and explore how cars have changed thr... Read More

At any one time there are thousands of aeroplanes in the sky but this lesson takes your class back to 1903 and the very first successful engine-powered aeroplane flight by the Wright brothers. After reading the story of how the brothers invented the ... Read More

This lesson introduces your class to space travel and tells them the story of man's first successful mission to the moon. They will explore the Apollo 11 mission through photos and footage and think about the impact of this 'giant step for mankind'. 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

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

This series 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 discussing the sounds they make. Read More

This lesson explores what life was like in Britain at the end of the Tudor period and how King James VI of Scotland became the king of England. Your class will find out what life was like for Catholics in England during the reign of James I and there... Read More

After recapping the religious tensions in England during the reign of King James I, your class will then go on to find out who Guy Fawkes was and why he decided to leave England and join the Spanish army. They will find out how Guy became involved th... 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! Read More

The final lesson in this series recaps what your class have found out about Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot, and gives them the opportunity to record the story in their own words. Alternatively they will be able to read and perform the 'Remember, R... Read More

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 Florence Nightingale. They will find out when she lived as well as details about her early life. They will find out about the expectations at this time for wealthy women and why wanting to be a... Read More

This 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 her, as well as using pictures... Read More

This lesson explores the improvements Florence Nightingale made at the hospital in Scutari (after the doctors reluctantly allowed mere women to assist!) and how these changes impacted the wounded soldiers. Your class will also find out how she came t... 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 consolidates what the class have learnt about Florence Nightingale and her work, and challenges them to order the main events of her life chronologically to re-tell her story through a range of fun activities. 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