Life in Villages

Overview

Unit: Exploring Anglo-Saxon Britain (Lesson 3 of 5)
Duration: 60 minutes
Class Size: 17 students
Year Group: Year 4
National Curriculum Focus:

• History:
  • Pupils should be taught about changes in Britain from the Stone Age to the Iron Age (to build context) followed by more detailed study of the Anglo-Saxon period.
  • Understand Britain’s settlement by Anglo-Saxons and Scots
  • Use historical sources and artefacts to investigate the past
• Link to KS2 History Programmes of Study:
  • Pupils should learn about: Anglo-Saxon settlements, village life, and community roles
  • Developing historical enquiry, using sources to ask and answer questions

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, pupils will be able to:

1. Describe daily life in an Anglo-Saxon village, including typical jobs and family roles.
2. Identify key community activities and social structures of Anglo-Saxon villages.
3. Use artefacts and illustrations to support explanations about life in Anglo-Saxon Britain.
4. Develop historical enquiry skills by examining and interpreting historical evidence.

Curriculum Links

• History KS2 National Curriculum:
  • Changes in Britain from the Stone Age to the Iron Age (contextual understanding)
  • The Anglo-Saxons and Scots’ settlement and impact
  • Historical enquiry through sources
• English (Speaking and Listening): Presenting findings clearly and confidently
• Art and Design: Interpreting and creating drawings/pictures of historical artefacts

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Resources

• High-quality reproductions or printouts of Anglo-Saxon artefacts (tools, pottery, jewellery)
• Illustrations/photos of typical Anglo-Saxon village scenes
• A short fictional “day-in-the-life” diary extract from an Anglo-Saxon child's perspective
• Whiteboard & markers / Smartboard
• Worksheets for recording observations and answers
• Simple timeline poster of Anglo-Saxon Britain for classroom display
• Role badge cards (Farmer, Craftsperson, Family member, Village leader)
• Small group discussion prompts on laminated cards

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Lesson Structure

Introduction (10 minutes)

1. Starter Question: “What jobs do people in our community do?” (Whole class brainstorm)
2. Brief recap of previous lesson: Who were the Anglo-Saxons and when did they live?
3. Introduce today’s focus: Understanding daily life in an Anglo-Saxon village – jobs, family roles, community.
4. Show map of an Anglo-Saxon village with labelled features (houses, fields, church).

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Main Activity 1: Artefact Investigation (15 minutes)

• Pupils work in small groups (3-4 children) examining images of artefacts with brief descriptions.
• Each group answers on worksheets:
  • What might this artefact have been used for?
  • What does it tell us about people’s jobs or daily life?
• Groups share one interesting fact with the class.

Skills focused: Historical enquiry, use of artefacts as source evidence, collaboration

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Main Activity 2: Village Roles Role-Play (20 minutes)

• Assign pupils role badges (e.g. Farmer, Weaver, Potter, Village Leader, Child).
• Prompt question cards describe a typical day for each role.
• In mixed-role groups, pupils role-play a “day in the village” and discuss:
  • What jobs each person does
  • How they help the community
  • Family roles and relationships
• Groups prepare a short presentation or tableau to demonstrate their role and activities.

Skills focused: Empathy, speaking & listening, understanding social structure

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Plenary: Reflect and Illustrate (10 minutes)

• Individually, pupils draw or write about their favourite aspect of Anglo-Saxon village life.
• Share a few examples with the class, focusing on the use of artefacts and role play insights.
• Summarise key learning points on whiteboard (jobs, family, community).

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Assessment for Learning

• Formative: Teacher observations during group discussions and role-play; questioning to check understanding
• Worksheet review: Check answers to artefact questions for comprehension of daily life elements
• Plenary drawing/writing: Assess ability to recall and explain Anglo-Saxon village life creatively

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Differentiation

• Support: Provide sentence starters and visual prompts on worksheets; pair EAL or SEN pupils with supportive peers
• Challenge: Encourage deeper thinking by asking “Why do you think this job was important?” or “How might village life differ for a child compared to an adult?”
• Extension activity (if time): Write a short diary entry imagining a day as an Anglo-Saxon child

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Cross-Curricular Links

• English: Descriptive writing inspired by historical context
• Art: Sketching artefacts and village scene illustrations
• PSHE: Appreciating different community roles and working together

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Teacher Notes

• Prior preparation of artefact images and role cards essential.
• Ensure balanced groupings for maximum engagement.
• Emphasise enquiry and interpretation over factual recall.
• Use questioning to develop critical thinking: “What can we learn from these artefacts that books don’t tell us?”
• Link back to the unit timeline and previous lessons for continuity.

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Extension/Home Learning Idea

• Research an Anglo-Saxon village or household item of their choice and create a poster explaining its use and significance.

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This detailed plan aligns closely with the National Curriculum for England and encourages active involvement, enquiry, and creative understanding of Anglo-Saxon village life for Year 4 pupils.