Toys Past and Present

Describing Toys

This oracy-rich lesson encourages children to describe their favourite toys now and when they were younger.

First, children practise asking and answering questions about each other’s favourite toys, using precise vocabulary to describe them. Then they apply their understanding by recording happy memories of playing with their favourite toys or using drama to re-enact playing with toys.

This instantly downloadable lesson pack comes with everything you need to begin investigating the evolution of toys within living memory, including: a detailed lesson plan with a range of activities, PDF slideshow and printable resources.

Parents' and Grandparents' Toys

In this lesson, children learn how to find out about toys of the past and begin to understand how these toys are the same or different to their own.

Children will generate questions and interview their parents, carers and grandparents about the toys they played with and how they liked to play when they were younger. Alternatively, children can use photographs and memories provided to find out about the toys enjoyed by these generations.

This instantly downloadable lesson pack comes with everything you need to teach your children how we know about toys of the past from the memories of older generations, including: a detailed lesson plan with a range of activities, PDF slideshow and printable resources.

Lesson 3

How Toys Have Changed

In this session, children focus on the changes in modern technology which have led to changes in toy design and variety - specifically the use of plastic and electronics.

Children will learn how to arrange dates in chronological order and apply their understanding by ordering toys on a timeline.

This complete lesson pack comes with everything you need to teach your class about chronology, timelines and key changes in toy design brought about by modern technology, including a detailed lesson plan, PDF lesson slides and a range of printable resources offering a variety of access points for your learners.

Lesson 4

Sorting Toys

In this lesson, children are given the opportunity to develop their historical enquiry skills by examining a selection of toys and sorting them by their characteristics.

Children will use what they have learned about toy characteristics to decide whether toys are 'old' or 'new', presenting their findings and explaining their decisions to their peers.

This complete lesson pack comes with everything you need to teach your class how to develop their historical enquiry skills, including a detailed lesson plan, PDF lesson slides and a range of printable resources offering a variety of access points for your learners.

Lesson 5

Comparing and Contrasting Toys

Children develop their understanding of chronology by looking at how the design of Lego sets, and the experience of playing with them, has changed over time.

Children investigate a variety of Lego sets from the 1950s and 1980s alongside more recent sets to identify the similarities and differences between them. Alternatively, children can show their understanding creatively using Stop Motion animations.

This complete lesson pack comes with everything you need to teach your class how to compare and contrast toys from different time periods, including a detailed lesson plan, PDF lesson slides and a range of printable resources offering a variety of access points for your learners.

Lesson 6

Summarising How Toys Have Changed

Knowledge Organiser

A Knowledge Organiser is available to support the learning in this scheme. It is included in the Complete Series download or can be purchased individually.