Learning to Fly

Overview

This 45-minute lesson explores the early history of flight through the life of Amelia Earhart, inspiring Year 2 students to understand how humans learned to fly and the significance of her achievements. The lesson follows the National Curriculum for England (History section: Years 1-2) focusing on changes within living memory, significant individuals, and events.

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Curriculum Links

National Curriculum for England - History Key Stage 1 (Years 1-2):

• Pupils should be taught about:
  • “changes within living memory. Where appropriate, these should be used to reveal aspects of change in national life”
  • “the lives of significant individuals in the past who have contributed to national and international achievements”
  • “events beyond living memory that are significant nationally or globally”

Learning Objectives:

• Understand who Amelia Earhart was and why she is an important figure in the history of flight.
• Identify how flight has changed humans' lives.
• Describe events from the past using simple historical terms.
• Develop chronological awareness through key events in Amelia Earhart’s life.

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Learning Outcomes

By the end of the lesson, pupils will:

• Know basic facts about Amelia Earhart and her role in the history of flight.
• Place some events about Amelia Earhart in chronological order.
• Use historical vocabulary such as ‘past’, ‘fly’, ‘historic’, and ‘inventor.’
• Show curiosity and ask questions about how humans learned to fly.

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Resources

• Timeline cards with images (Wright Brothers’ first flight, Amelia Earhart’s solo flight, modern aeroplanes)
• A simple illustrated storybook or pictorial biography of Amelia Earhart
• Paper, crayons, and scissors for a creative activity
• Large world map or globe
• Short video clip (2-3 minutes) about early flight (optional for visual engagement)
• Whiteboard and markers

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Lesson Structure

1. Introduction & Engagement (10 minutes)

• Gather students around a prop or picture of an aeroplane. Ask: “Have you ever been on a plane? How do you think people learned to fly?”
• Introduce Amelia Earhart with a colourful storybook or pictures. Briefly narrate her story in simple terms: first woman to fly alone across the Atlantic Ocean, a brave pioneer.
• Show the world map and point to relevant places on Amelia’s journey (e.g., USA, Atlantic Ocean).

Curriculum link: Introduces significant individuals (Amelia Earhart) and geographical awareness.

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2. Main Activity – Interactive Timeline (15 minutes)

• Present simple illustrated timeline cards: The Wright Brothers’ first flight (1903), Amelia Earhart’s solo flight (1932), modern aeroplanes.
• Discuss each event with the class. Use historical vocabulary: past, invention, flight, achievement.
• Pupils work in pairs to sequence the timeline cards correctly using guidance from the teacher.
• As a collective class activity, create a timeline on the board or wall.

Curriculum link: Develops understanding of chronological order and historical concepts.

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3. Hands-On Creative Activity (15 minutes)

• Explain to the children they will design and create their own “flying machine” using paper and crayons.
• Encourage them to think about what helps humans fly (wings, engines, light materials).
• After crafting, allow each child to explain their design to a partner or the class in one sentence, using key vocabulary learned (“My flying machine has wings like Amelia Earhart’s plane!”).

Curriculum link: Facilitates creativity linked to historical inquiry and vocabulary application.

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4. Plenary & Assessment (5 minutes)

• Recap key points with a quick Q&A: “Who was Amelia Earhart?” / “Why is she important?” / “What came first: the Wright Brothers or Amelia Earhart?”
• Use thumbs-up/down to gauge understanding of chronology and significance.
• Collectively sing a short, simple rhyme or chant about learning to fly (e.g., “Flap your wings, we learn to fly, from the Wrights to Earhart in the sky!”).
• Set a question for reflection: “If you could fly anywhere, where would you go?”

Assessment: Formative questioning to check knowledge and sequencing.

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Differentiation

• Support: Provide additional adult-led support with sequencing cards and vocabulary. Use simpler language for explanation.
• Challenge: Encourage some pupils to add extra facts or think about how flying might change life in the future.

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Additional Notes

• Consider displaying pupils’ flying machines and timelines in the classroom to reinforce learning over the week.
• Connect this lesson to a broader thematic unit such as Inventors and Explorers or Transport.
• Optional home activity: Ask pupils to share with parents what they learned about Amelia Earhart.

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This lesson actively engages young learners in history by connecting a fascinating individual with creativity and timeline skills, perfectly matching the Year 2 programme of study in History under the National Curriculum for England.