The Life of Walter Raleigh

Curriculum Information

Subject: History
Year Group: Year 5
Curriculum Area: National Curriculum in England – Key Stage 2
Specific Focus: Walter Raleigh – His Early Life and Achievements
Historical Concept: Significant Individuals in British History
Lesson Duration: 50 minutes
Class Size: 21 students

Lesson Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students will:

1. Understand who Walter Raleigh was and why he is an important historical figure.
2. Learn about his early life and how it influenced his later achievements.
3. Explore his key contributions, including voyages to the New World and his relationship with Queen Elizabeth I.
4. Develop historical interpretation skills by analysing different perspectives on his legacy.

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Lesson Structure

1. Starter Activity – The Mysterious Man (10 minutes)

• Begin by showing an image (or silhouette) of Walter Raleigh without revealing his name.
• Ask students: "Who do you think this person is? What do you think he did?"
• Provide three clues about his life:
  1. He was a favourite of Queen Elizabeth I.
  2. He played a role in England’s exploration of America.
  3. He was imprisoned in the Tower of London twice.
• Let students make educated guesses and discuss before revealing his identity.

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2. His Early Life – The Making of an Explorer (10 minutes)

• Explain Raleigh’s origins, mentioning he was born in Devon around 1552 into a wealthy but turbulent family.
• Discuss his education and how his early years shaped him into an ambitious and adventurous person.
• Introduce how his time in France witnessing wars of religion influenced his beliefs.
• Use a timeline on the board to plot key events in his early life.
• Ask: "How do you think his early experiences might have shaped his future?"

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3. Achievements – Explorer, Courtier, and Adventurer (15 minutes)

Introduce Raleigh’s major achievements through an interactive storytelling approach:

1. His Role in the New World:

   • Explain how he funded England’s first attempt at a permanent colony in America – Roanoke in 1585 (the 'Lost Colony').
   • Use a map to show the expedition routes.
   • Ask: "Why do you think England wanted colonies, and what challenges do you think settlers faced?"

2. Tobacco and Potatoes:

   • Present the myth that Raleigh introduced tobacco and potatoes to Britain.
   • Conduct a mini debate: "Were these positive or negative contributions to society?"

3. His Relationship with Queen Elizabeth I:

   • Role-play a short scene of Raleigh laying his cloak over a puddle for the Queen.
   • Ask students: "Do you think this really happened, or is it a legend?"

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4. His Downfall and Legacy (10 minutes)

• Discuss Raleigh’s fall from favour under King James I.
• Explain how he was accused of treason and later executed in 1618.
• Split students into small groups to debate his legacy:
  • Was he a hero (a brave explorer and English patriot)?
  • Or was he a villain (a man whose actions harmed others)?
• Each group presents their arguments briefly.

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5. Plenary – A Letter to the Queen (5 minutes)

• Imagine they are Walter Raleigh in the Tower of London.
• Each student writes a short persuasive letter to Queen Elizabeth I pleading for their release.
• Encourage them to use facts they have learned to explain why Raleigh deserves freedom.
• A few students read theirs aloud to the class.

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Assessment Opportunities

• Questioning during discussions to assess historical knowledge.
• Student debate to evaluate understanding of Raleigh’s impact.
• Letter writing to assess historical empathy and use of key facts.

Resources Needed

• Image/Silhouette of Walter Raleigh.
• Timeline showing key moments of Raleigh’s life.
• World Map (showing England and the Americas).
• Props for role-play (cloak, crown for Elizabeth I).
• Paper and pens for letter writing.

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Teacher's Reflection

• Were students engaged during discussions and activities?
• Did they demonstrate a balanced understanding of Raleigh’s achievements and controversies?
• How effectively did they support their arguments in the debate and written work?

This lesson adds excitement to history, engaging students through storytelling, debate, and role-play, making Walter Raleigh’s life memorable and meaningful! 🚀