LKS2 Topic Overview: Invaders and Settlers: Anglo-Saxons
Invaders and Settlers: Anglo-Saxons is a rigorously researched, creative and interactive topic spread
across six blocks. It will develop children’s knowledge of the Anglo-Saxons and help them understand
how this important group fits into the chronology of Britain.
Block
Key NC Objectives
Creative Block Outcomes
Block A
Introduction
to the AngloSaxons
(2 sessions)
History and English
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Block B
Settlements
(8 sessions)
Understand that many different peoples have settled in
Britain since the start of the Common Era and have
helped shape the nation.
Understand how people’s lives have shaped Britain.
Understand cause and consequence.
Gain historical perspective by placing their knowledge
into different contexts.
Use spoken language to develop understanding.
Participate in discussion, taking turns and listening to
what others say.
History, D&T and Geography
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Understand how people’s lives have shaped Britain.
Understand historical concepts such as continuity and
change, and cause and consequence.
Gain historical perspective by understanding the
connections between local and national history, and
between short- and long-term timescales.
Understand how Britain has been influenced by the
wider world.
Generate, develop and communicate their ideas
through talking and drawing.
Select from and use a wide range of materials,
according to their characteristics.
Evaluate their products against design criteria.
Describe and understand key aspects of human
geography, including types of settlement and land use,
and the distribution of natural resources.
Use sketch maps to record features.
Use maps.
Understand some aspects of human geography
including place names that describe the settlement.
Contextualise the Anglo-Saxon
period with a timeline of Britain.
Through discussion, children
understand the terms ‘invaders’
and ‘settlers’ and discuss
motivations for emigration. Gain
historical insight into the lives of
Anglo-Saxon and British people.
Learn about life in Anglo Saxon
settlements. Design settlements,
make buildings, dye wool, weave
material, research food and cook
recipes, play and create board
games. Research place names
and use an online simulation of
an archaeological dig. Share
Anglo-Saxon expert knowledge
with visitors to the classroom.
© Original resource copyright Hamilton Trust, who give permission for it to be adapted as wished by individual users.
We refer you to our warning, at the foot of the block overview, about links to other websites.
LKS2 Topic Overview: Invaders and Settlers: Anglo-Saxons
Block C
Invasions
[5 sessions]
History, D&T, Geography and Art
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Block D
Beliefs
[5 sessions]
Know and understand how people’s lives have shaped
the nation, and how Britain has been influenced by the
wider world.
Understand historical concepts such as cause and
consequence. Gain historical perspective by
understanding the connections between local and
national history, and between short- and long-term
timescales.
Generate, develop and model their ideas.
Select from and use a wide range of materials,
including textiles.
Explore an existing product.
Describe and understand key aspects of human
geography, including types of settlement and land use,
and the distribution of natural resources.
Understand how land use has changed over time.
Use maps.
Study human geography including land use and trade
links.
Know about craft workers in history.
Improve their mastery of art and design techniques.
History, English and Art
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Understand how people’s lives have shaped Britain.
Understand historical concepts such as continuity and
change, and cause and consequence.
Gain historical perspective by understanding the
connections between local and national history, and
between short- and long-term timescales.
Understand how Britain has been influenced by the
wider world.
Retrieve and record information from non-fiction.
In non-narrative material, use simple organisational
devices, e.g. headings, labels.
Participate in role play and performances.
Select and use appropriate registers for effective
communication.
Speak audibly and fluently.
Discuss writing similar to that which they are planning
to write.
Discuss ideas.
Assess the effectiveness of others’ writing and suggest
improvements.
Know about great artists and designers in history.
Improve their art and design techniques.
Learn about the Anglo-Saxon
invasions; the routes, the
kingdoms, the ancient roads, their
warriors and the historical
sources that we use. Play an
invasion game, paint pictures,
make a shield and embroider your
own Bayeux Tapestry.
Learn about Anglo-Saxon beliefs.
Research pagan beliefs as well as
the rise of Christianity during
Anglo-Saxon times. Investigate
writing and find out about
contemporary documents. Paint
gods and goddesses, write in
runes, make amulets, design
images and role-play some of the
key religious stories. Curate an
exhibition about Anglo-Saxon
beliefs.
© Original resource copyright Hamilton Trust, who give permission for it to be adapted as wished by individual users.
We refer you to our warning, at the foot of the block overview, about links to other websites.
LKS2 Topic Overview: Invaders and Settlers: Anglo-Saxons
Block E
Art and
Culture
[5 sessions]
History, English, Music and D&T
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Block F
Kings and
Laws
[6 sessions]
Learn about the cultural
Understand that many different peoples have settled in significance of storytelling,
Britain since the start of the Common Era and have
poetry, music, jewellery and
helped shape the nation.
feasting to the Anglo-Saxons.
Understand connections between cultural, social and
Build towards creating an Anglomilitary history.
Become familiar with a range of books, including myths Saxon feast. Create sagas and
and legends.
kennings to perform, cook food to
In narratives, create settings, characters and plot.
eat, create jewellery and
Read aloud their writing.
instruments.
Participate in role-play and performances.
Gain and maintain the interest of the listeners.
Summarise ideas.
Improvise and compose music for a range of purposes.
Play musical instruments.
Develop an understanding of the history of music.
Find patterns between the pitch of a sound and
features of the object that produced it.
Find patterns between the volume of a sound and the
strength of the vibrations that produced it.
Generate and develop their ideas through discussion,
annotated sketches, prototypes, etc.
Select from and use a range of materials.
Prepare and cook a variety of dishes. Understand
seasonality.
Know about great craft makers and understand the
historical development of their art forms.
History, English, Art and D&T
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Understand how people’s lives have shaped Britain
understand historical concepts such as continuity and
change, and cause and consequence.
Gain historical perspective by understanding the
connections between local and national history,
between cultural, military and social history, and
between short- and long-term timescales.
Understand how Britain has been influenced by the
wider world
Participate in role play and improvisations.
In non-narrative material, use simple organisational
devices.
Retrieve and record information from non-fiction.
Improve their mastery of art and design techniques,
including drawing.
Select from and use a range of equipment to perform
practical tasks.
Select from and use a wide range of materials,
including ingredients.
Prepare and cook a variety of dishes using a range of
cooking techniques.
Know where and how a variety of ingredients are
grown.
Learn about important AngloSaxon Kings, especially King
Ethelbert, King Offa and King
Alfred. Gain a deeper
understanding of the timeline of
events of the later kings. Learn
about the system of law and
order and the class system. Bring
historical learning to life with
online games and research, roleplay, design activities and
cooking.
© Original resource copyright Hamilton Trust, who give permission for it to be adapted as wished by individual users.
We refer you to our warning, at the foot of the block overview, about links to other websites.