Through the Ages

In this history project, children learn new definitions that describe longer periods. They continue to learn about chronology by creating a timeline using these periods and are introduced to reading and ordering BC dates. Children are introduced to the concept of duration and calculate how many years each period lasted.

Children begin to carry out historical research using various artefacts and sources to answer historically valid questions and build up a picture of prehistoric life over the Stone Age, Bronze Age and Iron Age. They deepen their understanding of chronology by building detailed timelines of these periods.

Children develop their understanding of everyday life in each period, finding out about the people, places and changes over time that influenced human development. They learn about Stone Age settlements, tools, food and monuments and are introduced to new vocabulary, including hunter-gatherer, domestication, Neolithic revolution and Homo sapiens. 

Children are introduced to the terms 'archaeology', 'archaeologist' and 'excavation', learning about modern archaeological techniques and archaeological finds, including the settlement at Skara Brae and the discovery of the Cheddar Man.

Children deepen their understanding of cause and effect, finding out what caused the end of the Stone Age, including the effects of lifestyle changes and the arrival of new technologies.

Children learn about the arrival and influence of the Beaker folk and study the evidence that they left behind. They learn subject-specific vocabulary and concepts, including Beaker culture, metalworking, burial mounds, trade, ceremonies and afterlife.

Children are taught how metal and trade influenced wealth and power and study the archaeological evidence from the burial of the Amesbury Archer. They investigate the cause and effect of the end of the Bronze Age and learn the term 'Bronze Age collapse'.

Children learn how ironworking came to Britain and the effect that this had on people's lives. They learn the term Celt to describe the people of Britain and develop their understanding of concepts including conflict, farming, trade and wealth. Children learn about inventions and how new technology made everyday tasks easier and more efficient. They also study the archaeological evidence and decide what the artefacts tell them about craftsmanship, wealth and power in the Iron Age. Children learn about everyday life in Iron Age hillforts and how iron weapons led to  a warrior culture. Children find out about the end of the Iron Age and the Roman invasion and conquest.

Children study local archaeological evidence relating to the Stone Age, Bronze Age or Iron Age. At the end of the project, they compare and contrast the Stone Age and Iron Age, finding similarities and differences between the two periods and describing the changes that happened over time.