UKS2 Topic: Stone Age to Iron Age Britain Block A: Introduction to Stone Age to Iron Age

Learn how to be an archaeologist as you discover the Stone Age to Iron Age timeline, the different sources of evidence used by archaeologists, the vocabulary used by archaeologists and how to carry out a dig.

Block A: Introduction to Stone Age to Iron Age [6 sessions] / Main outcome: History
Other outcomes: English
By the end of this block you will have achieved the following outcomes: /
  • Use chronological vocabulary.
  • Put the events of prehistory into the correct order and understand the scale of prehistoric time.
  • Explain the different sources of evidence about prehistory.
  • Evaluate the reliability of different sources of evidence about prehistory.
  • Understand and use some vocabulary that archaeologists use.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of how layers of debris left behind by humans build up over time
  • Demonstrate an understanding that lower layers are older, and higher layers are younger
  • Carefully dig and record an archaeological excavation.
  • Demonstrate an understanding that lower layers are older, and higher layers are younger.
  • Organise some key facts about prehistory
  • Locate information from non-fiction sources.
  • Understand how a debate works and take part in one.
  • Break down words into constituent parts to understand their meaning.
  • Create a dictionary entry.
  • Plan and write a narrative for a specific purpose.
  • Plan and write a report using appropriate language.
  • Prepare and structure a presentation.
  • Give a presentation in front of other children.

Session 1: History and English
Make your own timeline
Children learn about and create their own timelines covering ancient history and learn about the timescales involved. / Children will
  • Develop a chronologically secure knowledge and understanding of British history and develop the appropriate use of historical terms.
  • Retrieve, record and present information from non-fiction.

Session 2: History and English
What kinds of evidence are there for prehistory?
Children learn about the difficulties in investigating prehistory and work together to evaluate sources. / Children will
  • Understand how our knowledge of the prehistoric past is constructed from a range of sources, and evaluate the reliability of each of these sources.
  • Take part in debates and consider and evaluate different viewpoints, attending to and building on the contributions of others.

Session 3: History and English
Write an archaeological dictionary
Children investigate some of the special terms used in archaeology and create a dictionary to help their research / Children will
  • Develop the appropriate use of historical terms.
  • Apply their growing knowledge of root words, prefixes and suffixes to understand the meaning of new words that they meet.

Session 4: History and English
How does archaeology work?
Children plan and write the story of a piece of land and its changes over time. / Children will
  • Establish clear narratives within and across the periods they study
  • Plan and draft a narrative thinking about the audience and purpose of the writing and using appropriate vocabulary.

Session 5: History and English
Setting up a dig
Children plan, set up, and investigate their own archaeological digs! / Children will
  • Establish clear narratives within and across the periods they study and understand how some of our knowledge of the past is constructed from archaeological excavation.
  • Plan and draft a factual report thinking about the audience and purpose of the writing and using appropriate vocabulary.

Session 6: History and English
Archaeological conference
Children bring together their learning and skills to run an archaeological conference. / Children will
  • Construct informed responses that involve thoughtful selection and organisation of relevant historical information.
  • Give well-structured descriptions, explanations and narratives.

Resources

Session 1

Provided: Modelling a timeline (differentiated); Dates for timeline; Archaeological dating conventions.

You will need: String; Measuring tapes.

Session 2

Provided:Battle of the archaeologists; How to run a debate.

You will need:

Session 3

Provided:Writing a dictionary entry (differentiated); International phonetic alphabet.

You will need:

Session 4

Provided:Traces left behind sheet; Narrative support sheet; Story board.

You will need:

Session 5

Provided:How to create an archaeological dig resource sheets; How to dig sheet; Archaeological recording sheet; Archaeological reporting frame.

You will need: One or two sand pits, or pallets lined with tarpaulins; 10kg bag of clay (not air drying); Bag of clean sand or gravel (can be sourced from garden centres); Bag of compost; Bits of wood to make fences, stones or small bricks to make walls; Green material to lay on top as grass.

Session 6

Provided:

You will need:

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