The Anglo Saxons - Alfred the Great - a lesson separating the truth from the legends of Alfred.

Alfred the Great – Fact from Fiction
LO: To understand how people’s lives have shaped this nation and how Britain has influenced and been influenced by the wider world. (KS2)
LO: To apply the above to the study of an aspect or theme in British history that consolidates and extends pupils’ chronological knowledge from before 1066 (KS3)
A complete activity to help children understand the way that information about historical figures although rooted in fact, can also have legends attached to them.

The activity consists of:

Teaching Input:

1. A powerpoint providing information about the life and significance of Alfred the Great, both fact and fiction organised around the following sections:
- who Alfred was
- his early life
- his early reign
- Wessex under siege
- his flight and exile in the Marshes of Althelney
- his victory over the Vikings
- the subsequent peace
- the end of his reign
- his legacy to Britain.

This can either be run as an introduction, or shared with children in groups or pairs.

Independent Task:

2. A sorting activity consisting of a series of statements which are either factual or legendary about King Alfred. (This includes a fact sheet for teacher use, providing the correct answers and a series of websites which provide additional source information)

3. A template to allow children to sort the information provided into Truth or Legend.

Challenge / Extension / AG&T

Using websites listed, children could try to find additional information about both peoples.

Plenary

Mark with the children, getting them to identify how they knew whether or not something was a legend or the truth (links with Literacy language of myths and legends).

Pose and discuss the statement Why do you think there are so many stories told about Alfred the Great.