This is a recount of the dramatic end to the Shang Dynasty at the Battle of Muye. Pupils will discover the story of the last Shang king, King Zhou, and they will find out why his behaviour lead to the fall of the Shang Dynasty. It could be used for guided reading or as a stimulus for pupils to create their own recounts or drama performances.

This story introduces the legend of Yu the Great, who had great influence over the way farming and irrigation were developed in the Shang Dynasty.

This activity encourages pupils to look at the different ways in which Shang people used symbols and ideograms as writing. Pupils can use the web to research different uses of writing and record their findings on the worksheet.

This is an activity that encourages pupils to think about the ancient Shang practice of taking prisoners of war. Pupils will consider the arguments for and against Shang kings taking prisoners of war and they will write and deliver a persuasive argument to support or oppose this practice.

This is an activity that allows pupils to prepare for a class debate. Pupils will place themselves in the shoes of the Shang fighters at the Battle of Muye and they will take part in a debate about whether or not they should defect to the opposing army.

Pupils can use this flowchart to learn about the Dynastic Cycle and the concept of the Mandate of Heaven, a popular philosophy in the time of the Shang Dynasty.

This resource contains a set of picture cards to match up with short explanations. Pupils will become familiar with the different types of artefacts that help us to know about life in the Shang Dynasty

Romans planning for Y3/4. Includes 10 history lessons and 10 literacy lessons. History lessons: 1. Introduction: How did the Roman Empire begin? 2. Rise and Conquer!: How did the Roman army help the Roman Empire to expand? 3. Invading Britannia: How did Britain become part of the Roman Empire? 4. Who was Boudica?: How did Boudica rebel against the Romans? 5. Building up Britain: What did the Romans build after they settled in Britain? 6. Time to Relax!: What did people do for leisure in Roman Britain? 7. Digging up the Past: What do archaeological sites tell us about Roman Britain? 8. Home Sweet Home: What were houses like in Roman Britain? 9. What did the Romans do for us?: What important things did the Romans introduce to Britain? 10. Summing up: What have we learned about this period of history? Literacy Lessons: The ten lessons in this unit aim to give children the opportunity to understand the features of instructions as a genre. In the first week, children will engage with the text type by following instructions to make edible Roman roads out of biscuits, chocolates and custard! There is also a grammar focus on using prepositions and imperative verbs. In the second week, pupils will use drama to develop ideas and extend their vocabulary. They will then plan their own set of instructions about becoming gladiator champions and they will then have the opportunity to draft, edit and present their final instructions. The literacy objectives covered in this unit are: - To give and follow verbal instructions - To use prepositions - To read and follow written instructions - To identify how language, structure and presentation contribute to meaning - To use a range of imperative verbs - To prepare a group performance - To make a plan for my writing - To write my own instructions - To edit my writing - To make decisions about how to present my writing The PDF files contain the full lesson plans and all accompanying pupil resources.

Lesson 4. Dynasty Drama: Why did the first dynasty of Ogiso end in AD 1180? In this lesson pupils will find out how things changed in Benin Kingdom when the last Ogiso king was exiled from the kingdom and the second dynasty of Obas took charge. Pupils will listen to the dramatic series of events before making their own comic strip version of the story. The PDF file contains the full lesson plan and three

Here is a recipe from Ancient China for millet porridge that you can make with pupils as they learn about the Shang Dynasty or to use for Chinese New Year.

Instructions for making oracle bones out of clay and adding Ancient Chinese symbols to make a message. This is a fun activity for Chinese New Year or for leaning about Ancient China.

Lesson 7. Picturing the Kingdom: What was Benin Kingdom art like? In this lesson, pupils will consider what its surviving artwork tells us about Benin Kingdom. They will develop their ability to analyse art work and they will learn the technical vocabulary associated with it. Then pupils will prepare and record their own podcasts about one peice of art from Benin Kingdom and have the opportunity to use what they have learned to create their own works of art. The PDF file contains the full lesson plan and a pupil activity sheet. For upper KS2.

Lesson 3. Coming out of its Shell: What did the people of Benin Kingdom believe? This lesson addresses how important storytelling was in Benin culture. Pupils will discover some of the mythologies of Benin Kingdom and will look in detail at its creation story - a fabulous tale involving a snail shell and a talking hornbill! They will take on the role of storyteller and find their own ways of retelling the creation story. The PDF file contains the full lesson plan and two pupil activity sheets. For Upper KS2.

This is a simplified version of the story of Boudica. You can use this to read aloud or for pupils to use their comprehension skills to read for themselves.

Lesson 2. The Makings of a Kingdom: How was the Kingdom of Benin first established? This lesson invites pupils to discover how the Kingdom of Benin was born when a group of rainforest villages joined together as a conglomerate. Pupils will learn about some of the ways that the early kingdom protected itself so well and will research the famous Benin moat. The PDF file contains the full lesson plan and two pupil activity sheets. For Upper KS2.

Lesson 8. Lasting Legacy : What happened to Benin Kingdom after the period AD 900-1300? In this lesson, Pupils will consider how the period AD 900-1300 fits into a bigger picture of Benin's history. They will find out how historians classify Benin's history into three main periods. Pupils will discover what happened when British troops destroyed Benin City in 1897 and will develop an argument to show whether or not the invasion was justified. The PDF file contains the full lesson plan and two pupil activity sheets. For Upper KS2.

This PDF contains an account of the Benin Kingdom creation story.

In this activity pupils will reflect on how things changed in Benin Kingdom after the last Ogiso king was exiled from the kingdom and the second dynasty of Obas took charge. The worksheet provides a Venn diagram sorting activity.

This worksheet helps pupils to learn the vocabulary associated with the early Kingdom of Benin, when a group of villages joined to become a conglomerate. Pupils can use this worksheet to prepare a picture glossary of useful historical terms.