Primary History
Our resources, links and ideas for teachers of Primary History. Teaching History in a Primary setting can be highly engaging, active and purposeful. Rich in the use of language and full of skills that encourage investigation, inference, chronological awareness and inquiry, it is a subject area that naturally builds on skills developed in core subjects. The varied curriculum is ideal for inquisitive young minds. It is full of myths and legends from the Ancient World and mysteries and puzzles of the modernising Britain in which we now live.
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Teaching Resources for Primary Teachers
General Resources
Click here for a selection of great resources, suggested by Glenn Carter, a Primary Subject Lead for History.
Edtech for Primary: Glenn Carter reviews Mozaik3D‘s potential for uses in the Primary History classroom. Well worth taking a look at this impressive piece of software.
For medium term plans we highly recommend Mr T does Primary History. Mr T serves on the HA Primary Committee and provides training and services for Primary Schools.
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How to evaluate a historical source. Free resource. This resource has been used at both Primary and Secondary levels. It acts as a simple flow chart of questions that can be asked of a historical source. The questions are quite straightforward, so can be used to gather answers before combining them through discussion or structured written work.
An Ancient Mystery. Using evidence relating to the remains of ‘Pete Marsh,’ one of the bog bodies discovered near Lindow in Cheshire, this activity introduces pupils to historical enquiry skills. It fits in with a study of both Iron Age culture and the Romans in Britain as the dating places it at roughly the time of the Roman occupation. Pupils love this enquiry, it’s also a personal favorite of mine.
Resources by topic
Changes in Britain from the Stone Age to Iron Age. A Key Stage 2 Study
One of the suggestions in the National Curriculum is to explore Iron Age Hill Forts. You could combine this with a look at Roman Forts, Hadrian’s Wall and Saxon Burghs to give pupils an awareness of the way that these changed over time. This will help them lots when they move into Key Stage 3 History.
Ancient Egypt. A Key Stage 2 Study
Glenn Carter’s wonderful Pharaoh Party Games is an ideal way of teaching about Egyptian Society.
Source Material on The Celts
A selection of Primary Sources on the Celts. Providing contemporary evidence of the period and society.
Ancient Greece for Key Stage 2
Medicine and healing in the Ancient World. Discover how the Ancient Greeks kept themselves healthy. If you have studied Hippocrates as a significant individual, this is a natural next step.
Asclepius: A Greek God of Healing with a lasting legacy. This resource is aimed at Key Stage 2 History pupils. It comprises an information sheet and an activity sheet. Activities look to develop an understanding of the significance of Asclepius and the longevity of his cult’s active period.
Hippocrates’ idea of Clinical Observation and the Theory of the Four Humours. Written for a colleague who is teaching thematically at KS2 this resource is also of relevance to a study of Ancient Greece.
The Romans for Key Stage 2
Our unit on the Romans contains information about key individuals and events. There is a page on Caractacus, Boudica and the rebellion of the Iceni, Julius Caesar and the legendary founders of Rome, Romulus and Remus.
Online lesson: Julius Caesar. This lesson was originally written whilst teaching in a middle school. It was used with Year 6 and 7. It looks at the reaction to Caesar’s assassination and asks pupils to build their own interpretation. The activity needs a bit of a tidy up as web technology has moved on since it was first uploaded but the activities are usable and focussed on historical skills.
The Romans in Britain: Worksheet. This worksheet looks at the structure of Roman rule. It covers terminology relating to Provinces and gives examples of how it can work, or go wrong. Pupils are introduced to some historical terminology and it introduces/ reinforces some basic elements of historical enquiry skills.
The Saxons
A selection of Primary Sources from the Saxon Era.
The Vikings
A selection of Primary Sources from the Viking age.
King John as a Case study for post 1066 History at Key Stage 2
King John is suggested as a possible case study for Key Stage 2 teachers planning their delivery of the post 1066 element of the programme of study. This online lesson looks at the classic question of whether John was a good or bad king. Of course, it isn’t quite as simple as that and classes can be stretched to explore a range of interpretations. The structure and style of the lesson makes this accessible for most learners.
The Tudors for Key Stage 2
If you choose to study the Tudors, or one of the famous Tudor Monarchs, as your means of extending chronological awareness beyond 1066 then this unit will be of use for your pupils. It covers the main personalities of the Tudor age and some of the big events of that period.
Literacy Placemat. Free Resource. Print out and laminate to create a reusable literacy aid for pupils. Contains key points, dates and writing tips.
The First World War
Would you be a good officer in the First World War? This is a little difficult for KS2 but I’m adding it to the list as teachers may find a way of using the questions. A lot of what you think is common sense was quite dangerous!
Black Soldiers in the First World War – a resource for Black History Month Assemblies. It can be modified for classroom use. There are lots of images to add to the resource on our facebook group and page. There are 52 images with the resource, the presentation incorporates 23 of them.
Recruitment in the First World War: Kitchener’s poster and the Pals Battalions. Source based, including the famous poster. This worksheet covers the reasons why people wanted to volunteer and the methods used in the poster of encouraging volunteering.
Conscription in the First World War. This worksheet is self contained. It is differentiated to three levels to ensure accessibility and challenge across your class.
Islamic Civilisations for Key Stage Two
The spread of Islam: from the Prophet Mohammad to the City of Baghdad. 3 worksheets. One on the Prophet Mohammad, two on the development of Baghdad.
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