LKS2: Topic: Stone Age to Iron Age Britain Block A: Introduction
Investigate how we know about Britain’s prehistory and make a basic timeline with the main dates of the periods in Stone Age to Iron Age Britain. Take part in a mock investigation, participate in class debates, create group timelines, play matching games and be inspired to write some powerful non-fiction writing.
Block A: Introduction[6 sessions] / Main outcome: History
Other outcomes: English
By the end of this block children will achieve the following outcomes: / · Develop a chronologically secure knowledge and understanding of British history, establishing clear narratives within and across the periods they study.
· Know about changes in Britain from the Stone Age to the Iron Age.
· Note connections, contrasts and trends over time and develop the appropriate use of historical terms.
· Understand how our knowledge of the (prehistoric) past is constructed from a range of sources (including archaeological excavation, and the reliability of such sources).
· Construct informed responses that involve thoughtful selection and organisation of relevant historical information.
· Participate in discussions, presentations, performances, role-play, improvisations and debates.
· Consider and evaluate different viewpoints, attending to and building on the contributions of others.
· Give well-structured descriptions, explanations and narratives for different purposes.
· Retrieve and record information from non-fiction.
· Draft and write non-narrative material using simple organisational devices.
· Apply growing knowledge of root words, prefixes and suffixes to understand the meaning of new words.
Session 1: History and English
Being archaeologists
Carry out a mock investigation to find out how we know about Stone Age to Iron Age Britain. / · Research about Stone Age to Iron Age Britain.
· Carry out a simulated archaeological investigation to learn how we know about the prehistoric past.
· Record an archaeological object and interpret it backing up their ideas by referring back to evidence.
· Present and debate themes and evidence in prehistory.
· Debate what the results of the simulated excavation mean.
Session 2: History and English
Start off the timeline
Make a basic timeline with the main dates of the periods in Stone Age to Iron Age Britain marked on it. / · Create a timeline of Stone Age to Iron Age Britain.
· Learn the meaning of prehistoric period names.
Session 3: History and English
The Stone Age
Learn about the Stone Age, add some details to that bit of the timeline, and find out what makes the Neolithic so different from the rest of the Stone Age. / · Develop the timeline of Stone Age to Iron Age Britain.
· Research the Stone Age focusing on the differences between the Palaeolithic, Mesolithic and Neolithic ages.
· Summarise findings and report back to the class.
Session 4: History and English
The Bronze Age
Learn about the Bronze Age and add detail to the timeline. Write a report exploring what life might have been like for someone in the Bronze Age. / · Develop the timeline of Stone Age to Iron Age Britain.
· Research the Bronze Age looking at the differences between the early, middle and late Bronze Age.
· Plan and write a report about Bronze Age prehistoric sites/people.
· Summarise findings and report back to the class.
Session 5: History and English
The Iron Age
Learn about the Iron Age and add detail to the timeline. Debate what hillforts were for. / · Develop the timeline of Stone Age to Iron Age Britain.
· Research the Iron Age looking at the differences between the early, middle and late Iron Age.
· Learn about hillforts.
· Plan and write a report about Iron Age prehistoric sites/people.
· Summarise findings and report back to the class.
Session 6: History and English
Story-time
Write a non-fiction piece about prehistory explaining things that have been learned during this block. / · Review the main periods in prehistory, matching ages to dates and main developments.
· Write a non-fiction book for someone their age on Britain's prehistory.
Resources
Session 1
Provided: How to set up a soil-less dig, Geophysical report for the w/b, Object recording sheet, archaeological interpretation of the geophysical plot.
You will need: Pointing trowels (or spoons), replica objects, one square box for each table, paper or polystyrene pieces, buckets.
Session 2
Provided: Prehistoric dates and name labels, Research templates for the web, Templates for adding to the timeline, Archaeological dictionary templates.
You will need: String across the room or a long thin bit of wall, paper and pencils, web enabled devices.
Session 3
Provided: Background information about the Stone Age, Research template for Stone Age.
You will need: Paper and pencils, web enabled devices.
Session 4
Provided: Background information about the Bronze Age, Research template for Bronze Age, Report template.
You will need: Paper and pencils, web enabled devices.
Session 5
Provided: Background information about the Iron Age, Research template for Iron Age, Report template.
You will need: Paper and pencils, web enabled devices.
Session 6
Provided: Matching game and answers, Writing task ideas and suggestions.
You will need: Paper and pencils.
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