Planning and resources for primary teachers from http://www.ks2history.com. Our history topics include Stone Age to Iron Age, Romans, Anglo-Saxons, Victorians, Shang Dynasty etc and the list is expanding each month, with literacy units to link to the topics too.
Our popular resources have been tried and tested in hundreds of classrooms.
Planning and resources for primary teachers from http://www.ks2history.com. Our history topics include Stone Age to Iron Age, Romans, Anglo-Saxons, Victorians, Shang Dynasty etc and the list is expanding each month, with literacy units to link to the topics too.
Our popular resources have been tried and tested in hundreds of classrooms.
A FREE full lesson for KS2 introducing the Maya civilization, including a detailed lesson plan, Powerpoint and pupil resource sheets.
Who were the Maya?
This free-to-download lesson introduces who, when and where of the Maya civilization. Pupils will look at maps and timelines to place the Maya Civilization in context and then zoom in to find out more about the four distinct periods associated with the Maya civilization, comparing them to synchronous periods from World and British history. Pupils will also engage with historical sources to find out clues about Ancient Maya lifestyles.
Objectives:
To find out where the Maya Civilization came from
To learn about the four main periods of Maya history
To compare the Maya timeline with other key events from British and World history
This is the first lesson in the popular Maya unit from KS2History.
This primary history resource was created by KS2History.
A fully-resourced unit of 10 history lessons for KS2, covering the Maya Civilization history topic. This KS2History planning pack includes 10 detailed lessons plans, each with accompanying pupil resource sheets and Powerpoint slides.
The ten sessions in this unit aim to give an overview of the history of the Maya Civilization, with a particular focus on the period leading up to the height of the civilization in AD 900. As with all KS2History.com units, there is an emphasis on allowing pupils to consider the sources of evidence that form our understanding of this period of world history. The unit also takes the opportunity to draw contrasts with comparable themes from British history.
The aims of the unit for pupils are:
To gain an overview of significant people, places and events from the Maya Civilization
To explore how the geography of the Maya area impacted trade, daily life and the growth and decline of the civilization
To consider broader historical context and draw links with British history and other familiar aspects of world history
To become familiar with historical sources and debates, to address misconceptions and to use accurate vocabulary relating to the Maya Civilization.
This pack contains everything you need to teach this unit, including differentiated activity ideas so that it can be adapted to the needs of your class. The Powerpoint text is also editable.
The planning pack covers the following lessons:
What was the Maya Civilization?
How did the landscape of the Maya area affect trade?
How did Maya settlers survive and thrive in the rainforest?
What do Maya ruins tell us about city-states?
How useful are the pictures of Frederick Catherwood as a source of information about the Maya?
Did the Maya invent football?
Why was maize so important to the Maya people?
Who was Pakal the Great?
How did the Maya keep track of time?
What is the mystery of the abandoned Maya cities?
This resource includes 1 x PDf file (containing all lessons and resources) and 10 x separate PPT files.
Download our popular Roman Britain lesson planning bundle containing 10 full lesson plans for KS2.
This resources contains a bundle of history lessons that make up a complete unit covering the topic Roman Britain. Each file contains a detailed lesson plan, Powerpoint slides and pupil resource sheets. There are also there extra comprehension resources included.
Lessons in this unit include:
Where did the Roman Empire come from?
How did the Roman army help to expand the Roman Empire?
What was Britain like before the Romans invaded?
How did Britain become part of the Roman Empire?
Who was Boudica and how did she rebel against the Romans?
What did the Romans build after they settled in Britain?
What were houses like in Roman Britain?
What can archaeological sites tell us about Roman Britain?
How did bathhouses provide leisure for Romans in Britain?
What lasting impact did the Romans leave in Britain?
This lesson is brought to you by KS2History,
A lesson for KS2 introducing the Roman Empire - including a detailed lesson plan, Powerpoint and printable activity sheets.
This lesson is part of our popular Romans unit for Key Stage 2.
Lesson: Where did the Roman Empire come from?
This lesson introduces the Roman Empire in its historical and geographical contexts. Pupils will make a timeline to set this period into the wider context of world history. Then they will learn two contrasting stories about the founding of Rome, discussing the difference between legends and historical fact.
Objectives:
To find out where the Roman Empire originated
To place the beginning of the Roman Empire onto a timeline
To evaluate stories about the founding of Rome
This primary history resource is created by KS2History.
You may like our other resources for the Romans topic:
Roman Britain Planning Pack
Escape from Pompeii Literacy Planning Pack
Romans Literacy Pack (Instructions Unit)
Romans Planning Bundle of all three planning packs
Download our popular Ancient Greece lesson planning bundle containing 10 full lessons.
This resource contains a bundle of history lessons for KS2 (ages 7-11) that make up a complete unit covering the Ancient Greece topic. Each file contains a detailed lesson plan, Powerpoint slides and printable activity sheets.
The planning pack covers the following lessons:
Who were the Ancient Greeks?
Why were Athens and Sparta so different?
What was Alexander the Great’s impact on the Greek empire?
Why did a small Greek army win the Battle of Marathon?
What were the Ancient Greek gods known for?
What happened at the Ancient Greek Olympic Games?
What were the Ancient Greek philosophers famous for?
Did the events of the Trojan Horse story really happen?
What was daily life like for children in Ancient Greece?
How significant is the legacy of Ancient Greece for life today?
These lessons are written for KS2 and are aligned to the National Curriculum in the UK but can be easily adapted to other curriculums too. The lesson plans include differentiation ideas to adapt the activities for the needs of your class.
This bundle is brought to you by KS2History.com…
A lesson for KS2 about the lasting legacy of Ancient Greece, including a detailed lesson plan, Powerpoint and printable activity sheets.
This lesson is part of our popular Ancient Greece Pack for Key Stage 2.
Lesson: How significant is the legacy of Ancient Greece for life today?
In this lesson, pupils will explore some of the key legacies from Ancient Greece that influence life today. They will consider the significance of each legacy in terms of its impact on their own life, before working in a group to complete a ranking challenge to decide the most significant legacy.
Objectives:
To explore the influence of Ancient Greece on various areas of modern life
To consider the significance of different legacies on life today
You may also like:
Ancient Greeks Lessons Pack for KS2: A fully-resourced unit of 10 history lessons for KS2, covering the Ancient Greece topic.
This primary history resource has been created by KS2History.
A lesson for KS2 about daily life for children in Ancient Greece, including a detailed lesson plan, Powerpoint and printable activity sheets.
This lesson is part of our popular Ancient Greece Pack for Key Stage 2.
Lesson: What was daily life like for children in Ancient Greece?
This lesson is designed to help pupils to understand more about key areas of daily life for Ancient Greek children. Pupils will play a game to compare elements of their own lifestyles to life for different children in Ancient Greece. They will research information about food, education, clothing and entertainment and then design their own version of an Ancient Greek pull-along toy. At the end of the lesson, pupils will examine how four historical sources from Ancient Greece give more clues about daily life for children.
Objectives:
To explore different areas of daily life for Ancient Greek children
To find out about popular Ancient Greek toys
To consider how we can know about what daily life was like so far in the past
You may also like:
Ancient Greeks Lessons Pack for KS2: A fully-resourced unit of 10 history lessons for KS2, covering the Ancient Greece topic.
This primary history resource has been created by KS2History.
A lesson for KS2 investigating the evidence around whether the Ancient Greek story of the Trojan Horse was based on real events, including a detailed lesson plan, Powerpoint and printable activity sheets.
This lesson is part of our popular Ancient Greece Pack for Key Stage 2.
Lesson: Did the events of the Trojan Horse story really happen?
In this lesson, pupils will learn about the tradition of oral storytelling in Ancient Greece. Pupils will listen to the Trojan Horse story and analyse the evidence to decide which parts of the story are likely to be based on true events. Pupils will use their analysis to form a structured response to the question Did the story of the Trojan Horse really happen?, before being left with a challenge to imagine their own trick to break through the walls of Troy.
Objectives:
To draw my own conclusion about the Ancient Greek story of the Trojan Horse
To evaluate stories from history by examining sources of evidence
You may also like:
Ancient Greeks Lessons Pack for KS2: A fully-resourced unit of 10 history lessons for KS2, covering the Ancient Greece topic.
This primary history resource has been created by KS2History.
A lesson for KS2 about key Ancient Greek philosophers and their influence, including a detailed lesson plan, Powerpoint and printable activity sheets.
This lesson is part of our popular Ancient Greece Pack for Key Stage 2.
Lesson: What were the Ancient Greek philosophers famous for?
This lesson allows pupils to find out about key thinkers from Ancient Greece. After getting into some philosophical debates of their own, pupils will compare three famous Greek philosophers and choose one to focus on in detail for a museum exhibition, with an optional clay modelling challenge. Pupils will finish the lesson by performing a song about famous Ancient Greek thinkers.
Objectives:
To find out about famous thinkers from Ancient Greece
To explore key ideas and questions from Ancient Greek philosophy
You may also like:
Ancient Greeks Lessons Pack for KS2: A fully-resourced unit of 10 history lessons for KS2, covering the Ancient Greece topic.
This primary history resource has been created by KS2History.
A lesson for KS2 about the Ancient Greek Olympic Games, including a detailed lesson plan, Powerpoint and printable activity sheets.
This lesson is part of our popular Ancient Greece Pack for Key Stage 2.
Lesson: What happened at the Ancient Greek Olympic Games?
In this lesson, pupils will find out about the Ancient Greek Olympic games. After matching up ancient and modern events, pupils will find out about the why, what, who and when of the Ancient Games and may be surprised to learn that competitive sport was not the main purpose of the games. Pupils will make a sample 5-day programme to show the balance of sporting, religious and social activities before taking part in a Classroom Olympic Games of their own, complete with its own winners’ ceremony.
Objectives:
To explain the importance of the Olympic Games in Ancient Greek culture
To explore the balance of religious, social and sporting activities at the Ancient Greek Olympics
You may also like:
Ancient Greeks Lessons Pack for KS2: A fully-resourced unit of 10 history lessons for KS2, covering the Ancient Greece topic.
This primary history resource has been created by KS2History.
A lesson for KS2 about the Ancient Greek gods and goddesses, including a detailed lesson plan, Powerpoint and printable activity sheets.
This lesson is part of our popular Ancient Greece Pack for Key Stage 2.
Lesson: What were the Ancient Greek gods known for?
This lesson looks at Ancient Greek gods and goddesses and how they were recognised. Pupils will play a game to find and identify hidden gods and goddesses using their associated symbols, before applying their knowledge to sourcework by identifying the deities on an Ancient Greek wall relief. Then pupils will work in groups to focus on one particular Olympian god in a super-size poster challenge ready for a lightning quiz at the end of the lesson.
Objectives:
To learn about the twelve Olympian gods and their associated symbols
To identify key Ancient Greek gods and goddesses from historical sources
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Ancient Greeks Lessons Pack for KS2: A fully-resourced unit of 10 history lessons for KS2, covering the Ancient Greece topic.
This primary history resource has been created by KS2History.
A lesson for KS2 about the Ancient Greek army and the Battle of Marathon, including a detailed lesson plan, Powerpoint and printable activity sheets.
This lesson is part of our popular Ancient Greece Pack for Key Stage 2.
Lesson: Why did a small Greek army win the Battle of Marathon?
In this lesson, pupils will play a starter game to learn about warfare in Ancient Greek times, including armour and fighting formation. Pupils will find out what happened at the Battle of Marathon and why it had such a surprising outcome, before using their knowledge to analyse key reasons for the Greek victory in a group sorting activity.
Objectives:
To find out what happened at the Battle of Marathon
To analyse the main reasons for the Greek victory
You may also like:
Ancient Greeks Lessons Pack for KS2: A fully-resourced unit of 10 history lessons for KS2, covering the Ancient Greece topic.
This primary history resource has been created by Battle of Marathon.
A lesson for KS2 about Alexander the Great and the Greek Empire, including a detailed lesson plan, Powerpoint and printable activity sheets.
This lesson is part of our popular Ancient Greece Pack for Key Stage 2.
Lesson: What was Alexander the Great’s impact on the Greek empire?
This lesson explores the life and impact of Alexander the Great. Pupils will look at sources that give clues about Alexander’s global impact and then they will act out the story of his crucial role in expanding the Greek empire. Once familiar with Alexander’s story, pupils will be given a map work challenge to record the four stages of the expansion of Alexander’s empire.
Objectives:
To find out why Alexander the Great was a significant figure
To analyse the historical impact of Alexander the Great’s rule
You may also like:
Ancient Greeks Lessons Pack for KS2: A fully-resourced unit of 10 history lessons for KS2, covering the Ancient Greece topic.
This primary history resource has been created by KS2History.
A lesson for KS2 about Athens and Sparta, including a detailed lesson plan, Powerpoint and printable activity sheets.
This lesson is part of our popular Ancient Greece Pack for Key Stage 2.
Lesson: Why were Athens and Sparta so different?
In this lesson, pupils will learn how Ancient Greece was divided up into ‘city-states’, each with its own laws and armies. They will draw contrasts between two of the most powerful city-states – Athens and Sparta – and use their knowledge to develop a balanced argument about which one they would prefer to live in.
Objectives:
To know what city-states were
To compare the city-states of Athens and Sparta
To make a balanced argument based on historical knowledge
You may also like:
Ancient Greeks Lessons Pack for KS2: A fully-resourced unit of 10 history lessons for KS2, covering the Ancient Greece topic.
This primary history resource has been created by KS2History.
FREE lesson for KS2 introducing the Ancient Greeks, including a detailed lesson plan, Powerpoint and printable activity sheets.
This lesson is part of our popular Ancient Greece Pack for Key Stage 2.
Lesson 1. Who were the Ancient Greeks?
This lesson introduces the who, when and where of the Ancient Greek civilisation. Pupils will look at maps and timelines to place Ancient Greece in context and then zoom in to find out more about key events from the five distinct time periods associated with Ancient Greece . Pupils will engage with historical sources to find out clues about life in Ancient Greek times.
Objectives:
To find out when and where the Ancient Greeks lived
To make a timeline of key events
To use historical sources to infer information about the past
The lesson plan includes differentiation ideas to adapt the activities for the needs of your class.
You may also like:
Ancient Greeks Lessons Pack for KS2: A fully-resourced unit of 10 history lessons for KS2, covering the Ancient Greece topic.
Ancient Greeks: 10 lessons for KS2
A fully-resourced unit of 10 history lessons for KS2, covering the Ancient Greece topic.
What you get:
10 lesson Powerpoint files
10 detailed lesson plans
Teachers’ notes, including curriculum coverage
Pupil activity sheets for all lessons
About the Unit
The ten sessions in this unit aim to give an overview of life in Ancient Greece, including a focus on its achievements and influence on the western world. As with all of the KS2History unit plans, there is an emphasis on allowing pupils to consider the sources of evidence that form our understanding of this period of world history.
Aims of the Unit
To gain an overview of significant people, places and events from Ancient Greece
To contrast daily life in Ancient Greece with modern day lifestyles ! To consider broader historical context, particularly with regards to the expansion of the Ancient Greek empire and lasting legacy
To become familiar with historical sources, debates and accurate vocabulary relating to Ancient Greece
Lessons in the Pack
Who were the Ancient Greeks?
Why were Athens and Sparta so different?
What was Alexander the Great’s impact on the Greek empire?
Why did a small Greek army win the Battle of Marathon?
What were the Ancient Greek gods known for?
What happened at the Ancient Greek Olympic Games?
What were the Ancient Greek philosophers famous for?
Did the events of the Trojan Horse story really happen?
What was daily life like for children in Ancient Greece?
How significant is the legacy of Ancient Greece for life today?
This pack contains everything you need to teach this unit, including differentiated activity ideas so that it can be adapted to the needs of your class. The Powerpoint text is also editable.
This pack is brought to you from Ks2history.com.
Download our popular Ancient Egypt lesson planning bundle containing 10 full lessons.
This resource contains a bundle of history lessons that make up a complete unit covering the Ancient Egyptians topic. Each file contains a detailed lesson plan, Powerpoint slides and pupil resource sheets.
The planning pack covers the following lessons:
Who were the Ancient Egyptians?
Why was Ancient Egypt the ‘Gift of the Nile’?
Who were the Ancient Egyptian pharaohs?
Why did the Ancient Egyptians build the pyramids?
What did the Ancient Egyptians do for fun?
What was mummification in Ancient Egypt?
Who were the Ancient Egyptian gods?
What did Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics mean?
What was discovered inside Tutankhamun’s tomb?
Who was Cleopatra and how is she remembered?
These lessons are written for KS2 and are aligned to the National Curriculum in the UK but can be easily adapted to other curriculums too. The lesson plans include differentiation ideas to adapt the activities for the needs of your class.
This bundle is brought to you by KS2History.com.
You may also like our Egyptian Cinderella Literacy Resource Pack.
A full lesson for KS2 introducing the pharaohs of Ancient Egypt, including a detailed lesson plan, Powerpoint slides and pupil resource sheets. This lesson can also be found in the Ancient Egyptians Planning Pack for KS2.
Who were the Ancient Egyptian pharaohs?
This lesson explores the role of the pharaohs and introduces some significant figures. Pupils will play a ‘Find that Pharaoh’ game to become familiar with key people and dates. They will learn about important symbols associated with pharaohs and use them to design a royal sarcophagus.
Objectives:
To find out about some of the most famous Egyptian pharaohs
To explore the meaning of symbols associated with the pharaohs
The lesson plan includes differentiation ideas to adapt the activities for the needs of your class. This is the third lesson from our Ancient Egyptians Planning Pack.
This primary history resource is created by KS2History.
A FREE full lesson for KS2 introducing the topic of Ancient Egypt. The resource includes a detailed lesson plan, Powerpoint slides and pupil resource sheets.
Who were the Ancient Egyptians?
This lesson introduces the Ancient Egyptians topic and helps pupils to set this early civilization into its wider historical context of time and place. After looking at a historical source to find details and generate questions, pupils will create a timeline of key events from the period.
Objectives:
To find out when and where the Ancient Egyptians lived
To use a timeline to explore key events from Ancient Egyptian times
The lesson plan includes differentiation ideas to adapt the activities for the needs of your class.
This is the first lesson from the KS2History Ancient Egyptians Planning Pack for KS2.
A FREE full lesson for KS2 about the Anglo-Saxons invaders, including a detailed lesson plan, Powerpoint and pupil resource sheets. This lesson is part of our popular Anglo-Saxons Unit for KS2:.
Who were the Anglo-Saxon invaders?
This lesson introduces the Anglo-Saxons and explores where the different invaders came from. Pupils will look at maps to trace the origins of different tribes and make a profile of a Saxon invader, including a Saxon selfie.
There is also an opportunity for pupils to link what they have learned about movement of people in Anglo-Saxon times to the topic of modern day immigration.
Objectives:
To find out where the Anglo-Saxons came from
To think about what it might have been like to be an Anglo-Saxon invader coming to Britain
The lesson plan includes differentiation ideas to adapt the activities for the needs of your class.
You may also like:
Anglo-Saxons Unit for KS2: A fully-resourced unit of 10 history lessons for KS2, covering the Anglo-Saxon topic.
Why did the Anglo-Saxons want to settle in Britain? A complete lesson for KS2