British history

History

Primary

A look at the first black people in Britain, and their impact

This KS3 black history lesson starter video looks at some of the black people who came to Britain centuries ago and the role they played in British society. There has been a black presence in England as far back as 211AD when Septimus Severus, one of the African roman emperors, died in York. Historian Tony Warner explains there were black people living in Britain in the 16th - 18th centuries, who were neither slaves nor servants. Throughout the centuries, there is evidence of independent and influential people of Caribbean and African descent in Britain. One record is from 1511, when a North African trumpeter was depicted on the Westminster Tournament Roll. He was probably employed by both Henry VII and Henry VIII. Black men and women made appearances in the diaries of Samuel Pepys and in 18th century portraits. Tony explains how by the late 16th century, trade had opened up between West Africa and Britain and Africans began to settle here, especially in seafaring places like Bristol, London, Liverpool and Glasgow. This classroom resource is designed for use with Year 7 to Year 9 classes, but can also be used with Key Stage 2 pupils.

Britain's Black History - Black Britons

How the popularity of coffee links back to British black history

Learn about the growth in popularity of coffee and its connections with black history in Britain, in this lesson starter for use with KS3 pupils. Historian Tony Warner shows how black history can be found in UK towns and cities. Here, he explains how in the 1700s, the busiest trading areas of most British cities had a high proportion of coffee houses. The popularity of coffee coincided with one of the darkest episodes in Britain's history, and Tony shows how there was also an increasing demand for sugar and tobacco, with British economic power relying on Triangular Trade, which included slave trading. Tony also explains how docklands, rivers or canals are often rich hunting grounds for evidence of connections with Africa and the Caribbean, in this easy-to-understand classroom resource for Year 7 to Year 9.This lesson starter is designed for use with Key Stage 3 classes, but can also be used with Key Stage 2 pupils.

Britain's Black History - Coffee Houses and the Slave Trade

A look at the origins of gold for KS3, tracing it back to Africa

Historian Tony Warner brings to light African and Caribbean influences on Britain, in this KS3 black history lesson starter on gold and Britain's financial history. Tony acts as a guide, showing how black history can be found in towns or cities throughout the UK, in this classroom resource. Most towns have a trading or financial area and evidence of black history is often very prevalent in these areas. Tony visits the Bank of England, feels the weight of a real solid gold bar, and talks about its origins. He explains how some of Britain's earliest trading power came from gold mined in Africa, in an easy-to-understand way for Year 7 to Year 9. One of the first British mass produced gold coins takes its name from the region of West African where much of the gold used to make the coin came from.This lesson starter is designed for use with Key Stage 3 classes, but can also be used with Key Stage 2 pupils.

Britain's Black History - Gold

Exploring the historical significance of African obelisks

This KS3 lesson starter on black history highlights the contributions of people of African and Caribbean descent to British landmarks. Historian Tony Warner uncovers African influences in a city square, here in the form of an obelisk. Tony examines the meaning behind this landmark, its ancient African design, and explains how they are often found at key locations around Britain, in an easy-to-understand classroom resource for Year 7 to Year 9 pupils. The original obelisks date back thousands of years to Africa, where they were placed outside temples, most likely as symbols of rebirth. They are often found in cemeteries and memorials.This lesson starter is designed for use with Key Stage 3 classes, but can also be used with Key Stage 2 pupils.

Britain's Black History - The Obelisk

KS2 history starters with colour film of personal stories from WW2

This video features short clips of British and German film-makers' home movies taken during the second world war, which can be used as Key Stage 2 lesson starters. They're designed to encourage primary history pupils to think about the hardship that British and German children experienced during the second world war. The video includes people listening to the declaration of war on a Cornish beach, information on school life, gas masks and air-raid shelters, as well as the story of a woman's experience of the Blitz, which led to the death of her three siblings. Also see two children's account of the bombing of a German home, with footage filmed by their father.

Children in World War II

A short primary lesson starter about WW2 and rationing

This short video combines archive footage and personal accounts of life on the home front during the Second World War, to explore why and how rationing was introduced. People who lived through Second World War share their experiences of the different forms of rationing that were introduced for food, clothing, petrol, and furniture. They talk about their understanding of how and why rationing was brought in. Their accounts are intercut with archive footage including public information announcements issued by the Ministry of Food.

History - Food Rationing

A primary classroom history resource about WW2 rationing

This primary classroom resource combines archive footage and personal accounts of life on the home front during the second world war, and explores the impact of rationing. People who lived through the Second World War talk about the impact of rationing on individuals and the nation as a whole, and how people responded to government campaigns such as "Dig for Victory" and "Make Do and Mend". Their accounts are intercut with archive footage including public information announcements issued by the Ministry of Food.

History - Living with Rationing

A practical and fun lesson for KS2 history

A Key Stage 2 teacher uses theatre boxes at the end of a history topic as a fun way for pupils to present and share their different research in this lesson idea. Tracey Anderson's Year 6 class have been learning about rationing in World War II. In the lead up to this lesson they've researched different forms of rationing, found pictures to help illustrate their theatre boxes, and have made characters out of dowling rods. During the lesson, they use these materials to turn their theatre boxes into realistic grocer's shops, pharmacies, petrol stations etc. Working in small groups, the children put their theatre boxes together, sticking on backdrops, and creating 3D features such as shop counters, clocks, and signs. Then write short scenes to act out.An important part of the research process is for each group to find out a secret fact to present to the rest of the class during their performance. Tracey believes that theatre boxes are a great way of bringing history to life for pupils, and a fun way for her to assess how much they've understood about a topic.

History - Theatre Boxes

A boy's first-hand view of illegal immigration, for KS2 history

Present Key Stage 2 history pupils with a first-hand account of illegal immigration into Britain. This video presents a wealth of cross-curricular opportunities spanning citizenship and geography as well as history. From a young boy's perspective, a primary class can hear how Evrim and his family came to Britain as illegal immigrants seven years ago. Using animation, Evrim describes how the police raided their family home one night, meaning they now face deportation.

KS2 History - The Immigrant's Story

Four KS2 history lesson ideas explore aspects of immigration

Four Key Stage 2 history lesson starters highlight different aspects of immigration into Britain since 1945. Roy Hackett discusses his move from Jamaica to Britain in the 1950s, and the racial discrimination he encountered, leading to the Bristol bus boycott of 1963. In another area of Bristol, Stapleton Road has become increasingly multicultural since the 1950s, with a wide array of shops and businesses. Primary pupils can also explore the idea of religion and the introduction of Nigerian churches, mosques and Hindu temples in Britain. Finally, Evrim talks about how he and his family face deportation seven years after arriving in Britain as illegal immigrants, with the police raids on their house depicted via animation.

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