The Shang Dynasty

Explore the Shang Dynasty with KS2 History Lessons

Travel back to ancient China with this ready-to-teach Shang Dynasty KS2 History scheme of work for Years 5 and 6. Across six engaging lessons, children will discover one of the world's earliest civilisations, exploring the kings who ruled, the lives of ordinary people, the development of writing and the fascinating archaeological evidence that helps us understand the Shang Dynasty today.

Beginning with a study of when and where the Shang Dynasty existed, children will place this ancient civilisation on a timeline and compare it with events in British history. They'll investigate different historical sources, explore accounts of the Shang kings and discover how the inscriptions on oracle bones have helped historians uncover information about ancient China. Throughout the scheme, children are encouraged to question evidence, compare sources and consider how reliable our knowledge of the past really is.

As the lessons progress, children will investigate the extraordinary royal tombs of the Shang Dynasty, including the treasures, burial rituals and religious beliefs associated with Shang rulers. They'll explore everyday life in ancient China, discovering how society was organised, what ordinary people ate and where they lived. They'll also investigate the development of Chinese writing and calendars, examine oracle bone inscriptions and explore how the Shang Dynasty eventually came to an end following its defeat by the Zhou.

Ideal for teachers looking for Shang Dynasty KS2 lesson planning, this complete History scheme combines fascinating historical discoveries with opportunities to develop children's enquiry and critical thinking skills. With detailed lesson plans, ready-to-teach slides, differentiated activities and assessment opportunities, it provides everything you need to deliver an engaging study of the achievements of the earliest civilisations.

What children will learn

• locate the Shang Dynasty in time and place, comparing its chronology with events and developments in ancient Britain

• investigate different historical sources and evaluate how reliable they are for understanding the past

• explore the Shang kings and examine how written accounts and archaeological discoveries help historians investigate their reigns

• discover the significance of oracle bones and what their inscriptions reveal about Shang rulers and beliefs

• investigate royal tombs, including burial rituals, religious practices and the bronze, jade and ceramic objects buried with Shang rulers

• explore the structure of Shang society and discover what everyday life was like for ordinary people, including their homes, food and farming

• understand why writing and calendars developed during the Shang Dynasty and investigate the features of oracle bone script

• explore the achievements and legacy of the Shang Dynasty, including developments in bronze-making and writing

• investigate how the Shang Dynasty ended and compare historical accounts with other evidence

• develop historical enquiry skills by interpreting sources, comparing evidence and making informed judgements about the past

What's included

This complete six-lesson Shang Dynasty KS2 History scheme of work includes everything you need to plan, teach and assess your unit:

• 6 detailed lesson plans with clear learning objectives, teaching guidance and engaging activities

• Ready-to-teach presentation slides to introduce historical knowledge, examine evidence and guide classroom discussions

• Differentiated worksheets and activities to support adaptive teaching

• Printable teaching resources, including historical information sheets, sorting cards, fact cards, story sheets and enquiry activities

• Alternative activity suggestions offering additional ways to explore the history of the Shang Dynasty

• A knowledge organiser featuring key historical facts, vocabulary, timelines, sources and enquiry questions

• Assessment opportunities, including an assessment grid and an end-of-unit quiz to check children's understanding

All resources are supplied as downloadable PDFs, ready to use in your Year 5 or Year 6 classroom.