The Barbarians (History, KS3)

History
KS3
Powerpoints, PDF work sheets, some video clips, primary sources

This HISTORY scheme of work was produced by me for my school. It is for KS3 and fits in nicely between anything you may do on the Romans and Medieval Realms. The period of time this Barbarian ‘Dark Ages’ unit fits into is between c. 350AD and c.800AD. Children find this period of time exciting and intriguing and it helps build a chronological bridge between the ancient world and the medieval world.

There are five completely resourced lessons with beautiful power points to guide you. The lessons have a range of activities including some short videos to watch, a game to play and loads of original research (by me) primary sources about the barbarians to study.

The units focus on various historical skills, in particular the use of evidence, causation, significance and change. The unit is pitched for students in Year 7 or Year 8.

Lesson 1: Why is Attila the Hun Remembered? (this lesson touches on significance and introduces the unit)
Lesson 2: How did barbarian invasions transform Europe? (this lesson consists of a map based ‘game’ and making a chronicle)
Lesson 3: Why were the British Dark Ages so dark? (This is a double lesson where students ‘synthesise’ two primary sources)
Lesson 4: What did barbarians believe (this lesson studies pre-Christian ‘pagan’ religious beliefs in England and Europe)
Lesson 5: What was life like in a barbarian kingdom (a market-place activity and test on the Anglo-Saxon Kingdom of Essex)

Your students will love these lessons and I think you will find them great to teach too.