What are we remembering on Remembrance Day?

Remembrance Day KS1 History Lessons: What Are We Remembering on Remembrance Day?

Why do we wear poppies in November? What happened on 11th November 1918? And why is it still important to remember people who lost their lives in wars long ago? This engaging Remembrance Day KS1 History scheme of work helps Year 2 children explore the meaning and significance of Remembrance Day through five thoughtful, age-appropriate lessons.

Beginning with familiar events and celebrations that we remember each year, children discover why Remembrance Day takes place on 11th November and why people wear poppies. They'll learn about the First World War, the Armistice of 1918 and the origins of Remembrance Day, developing an understanding of why the end of the war brought both happiness and sadness.

As the scheme progresses, children investigate war memorials and the people they commemorate, examining photographs and identifying the symbols and features found on different monuments. They'll also discover what happens during Remembrance Day services, including the significance of the two-minute silence at 11am, the Last Post, wreath-laying ceremonies and the annual poppy appeal.

In the final lesson, children consider why we continue to remember people who died in conflicts many years ago, recognising that wars still affect people around the world today. Through discussion, reflection and creative activities, they'll have opportunities to express their own thoughts and feelings about remembrance in a sensitive and meaningful way.

These ready-to-teach Remembrance Day lessons for KS1 support the Year 2 History curriculum by exploring significant events beyond living memory and helping children understand how events from the past continue to influence our lives today. With detailed lesson plans, engaging presentation slides and differentiated activities, this complete scheme provides everything you need to teach Remembrance Day with confidence.

What children will learn

• understand why people remember and commemorate important events and individuals each year

• discover when Remembrance Day takes place and why 11th November is a significant date

• explore why people wear poppies and how they became a symbol of remembrance

• learn about the First World War, when it took place and the impact it had on people's lives

• understand what the Armistice of 1918 was and why the end of the fighting brought mixed emotions

• investigate war memorials, identifying the people they honour and the symbols used to remember them

• discover what happens during Remembrance Day services, including the two-minute silence, the Last Post and wreath-laying

• learn about the Royal British Legion and the annual poppy appeal

• recognise that Remembrance Day is observed in countries around the world

• consider why remembering people who died in past conflicts remains important today

• develop historical understanding by examining photographs, memorials and other sources of evidence

• express their own thoughts and feelings about Remembrance Day through discussion, writing and creative activities

What's included

This complete five-lesson Year 2 Remembrance Day History scheme of work includes everything you need to plan, teach and assess your unit:

• 5 detailed lesson plans with clear learning objectives, teaching guidance and age-appropriate activities

• Ready-to-teach presentation slides introducing key historical events, remembrance traditions and discussion questions

• Differentiated worksheets and activities to support adaptive teaching

• Printable teaching resources, including event cards, picture cards, fact cards, word cards and challenge cards

• War memorial investigations, encouraging children to examine photographs or explore a local memorial

• Remembrance Day activities, including opportunities for reflection, discussion and creative responses

• Alternative activity suggestions providing additional ways to explore each lesson

• A History knowledge organiser featuring key facts, vocabulary, historical sources and a timeline

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

All resources are supplied as downloadable PDFs, ready to use in your Year 2 classroom.