KS2 History Curriculum Activities

Key Stage 2 History Resources for Teachers and Parents

Hands-On Education uses an innovative approach to teaching history emphasizing on fun and engaging experiences for students. By using hand-crafted activities, worksheets, timeline cards and role-playing, students can gain a deeper understanding of historical events and concepts through a chronological narrative. This approach is especially effective in engaging primary school going and home educated students. Helping them to develop empathy and an appreciation for the complexities of key historical events and global social structures.

One of the best ways to teach history is through Hands-On Education activities. Our activities allow pupils to engage with the subject matter in a meaningful way and help them understand historical events better.

Hands-On Education’s Activities for Primary History

It is important for parents and teachers who are teaching European and non-European society history to focus not only on dates and events, but also on key historical skills such as critical thinking, analysis, and interpretation. By emphasizing these skills, students can learn to think critically about global historical events and understand the context in which they occurred. This can help students to develop a more nuanced understanding of history and its impact on the world today.

One of the best ways to teach history is through Hands-On Education activities. Our activities allow pupils to engage with the subject matter in a meaningful way and help them understand historical events better. For example, our timeline cards are a great resource for this purpose, as they enable pupils to place historical events in chronological order.

When studying Roman Britain, pupils can use timeline cards and videos to understand the significance of the Roman Empire's impact on England. They can learn about the Roman invasion of Britain, the establishment of Roman settlements, and the construction of Hadrian's Wall. Through Hands-On Education’s activities and the use of our resource’s pupils can gain a deeper understanding of historical events and their significance.

Hands-On Education activities are an excellent way to teach primary history in school and at home. They help extend pupils' English chronological knowledge beyond 1066 by providing a comprehensive understanding of historical events.

We offer engaging ks2 national curriculum-based topics help prepare children for tests and organised teacher assessments. By incorporating hands-on activities into our resources, Hands-On Education makes learning more enjoyable and memorable for children and teachers. This can lead to better retention of information and a deeper understanding of the subject matter.

Building Bridges with Isambard Kingdom Brunel

Isambard Kingdom Brunel is widely regarded as one of the most significant people in British history, particularly for his contributions to the field of engineering. One of his most notable achievements was the construction of numerous bridges, including the Clifton Suspension Bridge and the Royal Albert Bridge.

Brunel's legacy still lives on in many ways, therefore including hands-on activities allowing children to physically learn about his life and work is a great way to engage them. Our building bridges activities can be particularly effective for local history studies, as Brunel's impact can often be most felt in the areas where he lived and worked.

In addition to being a fascinating theme in British history, understanding Victorian times and Victorian Britain is also an important part of the national curriculum for England. By studying the historical periods in which significant people like Brunel lived, students can gain a better understanding of people's lives and the world they lived in.

Looking at Ancient Societies in Key Stage 2 History

Key Stage 2 History is an important part of the national curriculum for England. It covers a wide range of historical periods, with a focus on events that extend pupils' memories and help them understand the world around them. Some of the most important historical events covered in this curriculum include the Iron Age, Stone Age, Bronze Age, Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece, the Shang Dynasty and other ancient societies.

One of the most interesting historical periods covered in English key stage 2 history is the Anglo-Saxon period. This was a time of great struggle in Britain's history, as various tribes fought for control over the land. The Anglo-Saxons eventually settled in Britain, establishing a number of settlements and leaving a lasting impact on British history.

Children in Key Stage 2 History should also learn about some of the earliest civilizations, including the Early Islamic Civilization and Ancient China. These periods saw significant advancements in science, art, and culture, and had a profound impact on the world we live in today.

Overall, Key Stage 2 History is a fascinating subject that helps children develop a deeper understanding and appreciation for the world around them. Whether they are learning about ancient societies or more recent important historical events, the English national curriculum provides a solid foundation for future learning and exploration.

Teaching History in the Wider World View

Teaching history to Key Stage 2 children can be a fun and engaging experience, especially if it is hands-on and interactive. However, it can be challenging to teach children abstract terms and concepts, especially those from non-European societies or past periods of British history that extends living memory.

One way to make history more tangible is to incorporate worksheets and projects that allow children to experience history first hand. For example, you could have them build a model of a castle or create a timeline of a particular period.

It's also important to use examples of historical concepts that are relevant to the children's lives and experiences. For instance, you could use the concept of trade to teach about the Silk Road or the concept of democracy to teach about ancient Greece and Greek life as it once was.

When teaching history, it's essential to expose children to a wide range of perspectives and not just focus on the Western world. World history is vast, and there are many fascinating stories and cultures to explore.

Remember that teaching and learning history is not just about memorizing facts and dates. It's about understanding the past and how it has shaped the world we live in today. By making history come alive and relevant to children, we educators can help them develop a deeper appreciation and understanding of the world around them.

Anglo Saxon Britain

Anglo-Saxon Britain is a topic that is covered in many schools throughout the United Kingdom. In particular, students often learn about the struggles that the Anglo-Saxons faced when settling in Britain. This includes conflicts with the native Britons, as well as invasions by the Scots and other groups.

One of the challenges of teaching this topic is that there are many different contexts and sources that need to be considered. For example, archaeological evidence can provide insight into the material culture of the Anglo-Saxons, while written sources such as the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle can shed light on their history and beliefs.

To ensure that pupils understand the topic, history programs in schools must be carefully designed to incorporate a range of different sources and perspectives. This is particularly important given that the national curriculum for England specifies that students should be taught about "the development of the Church, state and society in Medieval Britain 1066-1509".

Learning about Anglo-Saxon Britain is an important part of the history curriculum in Britain. By using different sources and a variety of contexts, teachers and parents can help their pupils gain a deeper understanding of this fascinating period in British history.

Learning About Important Historical Events

Learning and teaching children about history is an important aspect of education, both in schools and at home. The study of history helps children understand the world around them, and how it has changed over time. For example, in West Africa, children are taught about the history of their own region, as well as the wider continent of Africa. Similarly, in the Indus Valley and Ancient Egypt, children learn about the history of their civilizations, as well as the history of neighbouring cultures.

It is important to travel beyond the history of Britain and teach children about world history as a whole. This allows pupils to understand the global context of events and how different societies have impacted each other over time. By understanding how the world has developed, pupils can better understand how they fit into the present and how they can help positively shape the future of humanity.

To ensure that pupils understand historical concepts, attainment targets have been set in most schools. These targets aim to help pupils understand key historical concepts, such as change and continuity, cause and consequence, and significance. By understanding these concepts, pupils can gain a deeper understanding of the history they are learning.

Overall, history lessons are important for the future of humanity. By learning about the past, we can understand the present and shape the future. It is important to continue to teach children about history, both at home and in schools, to ensure that they have a well-rounded education and a deep understanding of the world they are entering.

KS2 History Curriculum

Hands-On Education activities are a great way to engage KS2 students in the history curriculum. When studying local history, it can be particularly beneficial to use activities that allow students to experience the history first hand. For example, students could visit local historical sites, such as museums or landmarks, where they can see artifacts and learn about the history of their local area.

When it comes to year group-specific history worksheets, it's important to ensure that they are engaging and accessible for all students. They should be tailored to the appropriate reading and comprehension level of the year group, while also providing enough challenge to encourage critical thinking and analysis.

Overall, incorporating hands-on activities and well-designed worksheets can help to make the KS2 local history study curriculum more engaging and memorable for all year groups.

If you are looking beyond KS2 be sure to explore more of our exclusive topics. We cover key stage one learning across the national curriculum for England in: