KS1 History Curriculum Resources

Popular KS1 History Schemes of Work:

Frequently Asked Questions

What is taught in History at KS1?

In KS1 History, children learn about the past through changes within living memory, significant events beyond living memory, the lives of significant individuals and important people, places or events in their local area. They also begin to develop chronological understanding, use historical vocabulary, ask questions about the past and explore different sources of evidence.

What are the National Curriculum requirements for KS1 History?

The National Curriculum for History at KS1 requires children to learn about changes within living memory, events beyond living memory that are significant nationally or globally, the lives of significant individuals who have contributed to national and international achievements, and significant historical events, people and places in their own locality.

What are good KS1 History topics?

Popular KS1 History topics include toys and homes in the past, transport and communication, seaside holidays, the Great Fire of London, the Gunpowder Plot, castles, explorers and the history of flight. Children can also study significant individuals such as Florence Nightingale, Mary Seacole and Mary Anning.

What should a KS1 History scheme of work include?

A good KS1 History scheme of work should combine historical knowledge with opportunities to develop chronological understanding and enquiry skills. Children should encounter historical sources, ask and answer questions, compare different periods and begin to understand how we know about the past.

What is the difference between Year 1 and Year 2 History?

The KS1 History National Curriculum does not prescribe separate content for Year 1 and Year 2, so schools can decide how to organise topics across the two years. Children will generally progress from exploring familiar changes and simple chronology towards making more detailed comparisons, using a wider range of historical sources and explaining the significance of people and events.

Does KS1 History have to be taught in chronological order?

No. Schools do not have to teach KS1 History topics in chronological order. However, children should develop an increasing awareness of chronology and where the people and events they study fit within the past. Timelines, sequencing activities and comparisons between periods can help develop this understanding.

How often should History be taught in KS1?

The National Curriculum does not specify how often KS1 History must be taught. Schools might teach History weekly, alternate it with Geography or teach it in blocks across a half term. Whichever approach is used, the curriculum should provide enough time for children to build historical knowledge and develop their enquiry and chronological understanding.

What historical skills should children develop in KS1?

KS1 children should learn to sequence events and periods, use common words and phrases relating to the passing of time, ask and answer questions about the past and use different sources to find out information. They should also begin to recognise that the past can be represented and interpreted in different ways.

What KS1 History resources are included in PlanBee schemes of work?

PlanBee KS1 History schemes of work provide ready-to-teach lessons with detailed lesson plans, teaching slides and differentiated activities and resources. They are designed to reduce planning time while providing engaging opportunities for children to develop historical knowledge, enquiry skills and chronological understanding.

Can I use PlanBee resources to plan the KS1 History curriculum?

Yes. PlanBee's KS1 History resources cover a range of topics that can be used to build a History curriculum across Years 1 and 2, including changes within living memory, significant people and events and local history. Schools can select and sequence schemes to suit their own curriculum and the needs of their pupils.