UKS2 Topic: Earliest Civilisations: The Shang Dynasty of Ancient China Block E: Warfare
Research different sources and consider what makes a historical source valid and reliable. Learn about
the Shang army and generals as you investigate the Battle of Muye and the rise and fall of the Shang.
Block E: Shang Dynasty
Warfare [4 Sessions]
Main outcome: History
Other outcomes: English
By the end of this block you
will have achieved the
following outcomes:


Session 1: History and
English
How did the Shang Dynasty
start?
Carry out an in-depth study of The Shang Dynasty of Ancient China.
Continue to develop a chronologically secure knowledge and understanding of world
history, establishing clear narratives within and across the periods they study.
 Know and understand significant aspects of the history of the wider world: the
nature of ancient civilisations; the expansion and dissolution of empires;
characteristic features of past non-European societies; achievements and follies of
mankind.
 Understand how our knowledge of the past is constructed from a range of sources.
 Construct informed responses that involve thoughtful selection and organisation of
relevant historical information.
 Develop reading comprehension including making comparisons within and across
books, distinguish between statements of fact and opinion, retrieve, record and
present information from non-fiction.
 Articulate and justify answers, arguments and opinions.
 Give well-structured descriptions, explanations and narratives for different purposes,
including for expressing feelings.
 Maintain attention and participate actively in collaborative conversations, staying on
topic and initiating and responding to comments.
 Use spoken language to develop understanding through speculating, hypothesising,
imagining and exploring ideas.
 Participate in discussions, presentations, performances, role play, improvisations and
debates.
 Consider and evaluate different viewpoints, attending to and building on the
contributions of others.
Children will:
 Explain what validity and reliability are when it comes to historical sources.
 Assess a source's validity and reliability.
 Take part in an improvised hot seating session.
What do historians think is the
real story of the start of the
Shang Dynasty? Children will
research different sources; take
turns being the principal
characters in the story, Jie,
Tang and the historian.
© Original resource copyright Hamilton Trust, who give permission for it to be adapted as wished by individual users.
The links to the websites and the contents of the web pages associated with such links specified on this list (hereafter collectively referred to as the ‘Links’)
have been checked by Hamilton Trust (being the operating name of the registered charity, William Rowan Hamilton Trust) and to the best of Hamilton
Trust’s knowledge, are correct and accurate at the time of publication. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other terms and conditions on the Hamilton
Trust website, you acknowledge that Hamilton Trust has no control over such Links and indeed, the owners of such Links may have removed such Links,
changed such Links and/or contents associated with such Links. Therefore, it is your sole responsibility to verify any of the Links which you wish you use.
Hamilton Trust excludes all responsibility and liability for any loss or damage arising from the use of any Links.
UKS2 Topic: Earliest Civilisations: The Shang Dynasty of Ancient China Block E: Warfare
Session 2: History and
English
How did the Shang Dynasty
keep control?
Children will:
 Explain how Shang kings kept control.
 Outline the elements of the Shang army.
 Demonstrate an understanding of how the Shang army worked.
Children will learn about the
Shang army and then play a
strategy game; become
generals in the Shang army
trying to keep the kingdom
loyal, and to conquer other
peoples to enlarge the
kingdom.
Session 3: History and
English
The Battle of Muye
Evaluate the validity and
reliability of texts that describe
the Battle of Muye; improvise a
piece of drama that explains
the Battle of Muye.
Session 4: History and
English
Performing the Battle of
Muye
Children will:
 Explain the story of the Battle of Muye
 Evaluate the validity and reliability of sources
 Improvise a piece of drama
Children will:
 Explain the story of the rise and fall of the Shang
 Explain the reliability and validity of sources
 Perform in front of an audience
Create a performance based on
all the learning in this block
that explains the story of the
rise and fall of the Shang.
Resources
Session 1
Provided: Story of the end of Roman rule in Britain; Story of the start of the Shang Dynasty; Questions
to ask each hot-seated character.
You will need:
Session 2
Provided: PowerPoint presentation on the Shang army and battles; Strategy game board; Game cards
and rules to print out and play.
You will need: Dice (2 per group).
Session 3
Provided: Information text about the Battle of Muye; Accessible translation of the Shifu and Shijing;
Some suggestions for characters and props.
You will need:
Session 4
Provided: Structure of the show; Tips on performing in front of a large audience.
You will need: An audience!
© Original resource copyright Hamilton Trust, who give permission for it to be adapted as wished by individual users.
The links to the websites and the contents of the web pages associated with such links specified on this list (hereafter collectively referred to as the ‘Links’)
have been checked by Hamilton Trust (being the operating name of the registered charity, William Rowan Hamilton Trust) and to the best of Hamilton
Trust’s knowledge, are correct and accurate at the time of publication. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other terms and conditions on the Hamilton
Trust website, you acknowledge that Hamilton Trust has no control over such Links and indeed, the owners of such Links may have removed such Links,
changed such Links and/or contents associated with such Links. Therefore, it is your sole responsibility to verify any of the Links which you wish you use.
Hamilton Trust excludes all responsibility and liability for any loss or damage arising from the use of any Links.