Anglo-Saxon Settlements

Lesson Overview

Curriculum Area: History – Key Stage 2 (aligned to the UK National Curriculum)
Year Group: Year 4
Lesson Duration: 45 minutes
Learning Intention (LI): To know where the Anglo-Saxons settled and why.

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Success Criteria

By the end of this lesson, students will:

1. Recall the years the Anglo-Saxons existed in British history and how long they lived in these locations.
2. List two reasons why the Anglo-Saxons invaded Britain.
3. Identify key areas in Britain where Anglo-Saxons settled.
4. Suggest positive reasons for Anglo-Saxon settlements in different locations.

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Resources Needed

• Large classroom map of Great Britain (interactive or physical)
• Sticky notes or small slips of paper
• Markers/pens for student use
• Anglo-Saxon artefact images or replicas (printouts could suffice)
• Printed handouts with key Anglo-Saxon facts (1 per student)
• Whiteboard and markers
• Role-play cards for paired activities

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Lesson Structure

Starter Activity (7 minutes) – The Mystery of the Settlers

1. Begin with a whole-class discussion by asking:
   • "Who thinks they can tell us something about the Anglo-Saxons?"
   • Encourage students to share anything they already know about the Anglo-Saxons, regardless of accuracy.
2. Show images of Anglo-Saxon artefacts (e.g., shields, homes, coins, jewellery) and ask students to guess where these items might have come from.
3. Explain briefly who the Anglo-Saxons were, linking to their history in Britain:
   “They were a group of people who arrived after the Romans left Britain around AD 410 and settled here for about 600 years!”
4. Write the years 410 AD – 1066 AD on the board and have students discuss what this timeline represents.

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Main Lesson Activities (30 minutes)

Activity 1: Where Did They Come From? (10 minutes)

1. Using the classroom map, explain that the Anglo-Saxons came from parts of Germany, Denmark, and the Netherlands. Display this visually by pointing to the European regions and highlighting the crossing of the North Sea.
2. Quick Pair Discussion:
   • Ask students in pairs: “Why do you think the Anglo-Saxons wanted to leave their own home to come here?”
   • Give clues like overcrowding, farmland, or resources. Write student answers on the board under ‘Reasons to Leave’.
3. Share two key reasons why the Anglo-Saxons invaded Britain:
   • Better farming land.
   • The opportunity to settle and build new communities after the Romans left.

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Activity 2: Where Did They Settle? (15 minutes)

1. Use the classroom map or interactive display to highlight places in Britain where Anglo-Saxons settled (e.g., East Anglia, Kent, Northumbria, Mercia, Wessex).
2. Provide handouts with a simplified Anglo-Saxon map showing these regions.
3. Encourage students to work in pairs or small groups to:
   • Label the areas on their map.
   • Suggest reasons why these areas might have been appealing (e.g., fertile land, near rivers, defensible borders).
4. Circulate around the room to support students, encouraging creative thinking:
   “Why would being by the River Thames help the Anglo-Saxons?”
5. After group discussions, invite students to share their reasoning. Record items on the board under: ‘Why Settlements Were Successful’.

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Activity 3: Role-Play – The Anglo-Saxon Settlers (5 minutes)

1. Provide students with role-play cards detailing different Anglo-Saxon settler personas (e.g., farmer, warrior, blacksmith).
2. Ask them to step into character and “pitch” why they believe settling in Britain would be a good idea.
3. Encourage short responses such as:
   “I’m a farmer, and the land here is perfect for growing crops!”

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Plenary (8 minutes) – Reflection and Recap

1. Pose reflection questions to the class:
   • "Which areas did the Anglo-Saxons settle?"
   • "Why do you think they chose Britain?"
   • "What might Britain have been like when they arrived?"
2. Use sticky notes for an exit ticket activity:
   • Students write one fact they learned about Anglo-Saxon settlements and place it on a designated section of the board or wall.
3. Congratulate the students on stepping into the shoes of history and learning about a crucial part of Britain’s past.

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Extension (Optional)

For students who finish quickly or show a strong interest, provide a puzzle with Anglo-Saxon place names or invite them to research locations with Anglo-Saxon origins (e.g., towns ending in “-ham” or “-ton”).

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Teacher Notes

• Keep framing the conversation as a story of the Anglo-Saxons travelling across the sea. This added narrative can help students connect the events personally.
• Ensure quiet students are encouraged to contribute, particularly during the pair and role-play activities.
• Emphasise geography skills alongside history by encouraging careful mapwork and linking locations in Britain to key geographical features like rivers or coastlines.

This lesson supports Key Stage 2 History requirements to study British history beyond 1066 and helps students understand the concept of migration and settlements. It encourages creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking while being accessible and engaging for Year 4 learners.