The Legacy of Elizabeth I

Curriculum Area and Level

Subject: History
UK National Curriculum – Key Stage 2
Focus: A study of an aspect or theme in British history that extends pupils’ chronological knowledge beyond 1066

Lesson Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will:

• Understand the key achievements of Elizabeth I's reign.
• Evaluate the significance of her leadership in shaping British history.
• Demonstrate their understanding through a structured summative assessment.

Lesson Duration

Total Time: 60 minutes

Required Materials

• Printed timeline of Elizabeth I’s reign
• Image cards depicting key events and figures
• Whiteboard and markers
• Assessment worksheets

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Lesson Structure

1. Introduction (10 minutes)

Engage with an Icebreaker Activity

• Display a portrait of Elizabeth I and ask students to describe what they see.
• Introduce the Golden Age concept and briefly explain why Elizabeth I is celebrated in history.

Discussion Questions:

• Why do you think Elizabeth I is an important historical figure?
• What challenges do you think she might have faced as a queen?

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2. Exploring Elizabeth I’s Reign (20 minutes)

Mini-Lecture (10 minutes)

Explain the major achievements of Elizabeth I:

• The Spanish Armada (1588): Defeating Spain and strengthening England’s navy.
• Religious Settlement (1559): Creating stability between Protestants and Catholics.
• Cultural Advancements: Supporting William Shakespeare and the flourishing of the arts.
• Early Exploration: The beginnings of England’s colonial expansion.

Group Activity (10 minutes)

• Provide each student with an event card related to Elizabeth I’s reign.
• Students will explain the event in their own words and discuss how it contributed to her lasting legacy.

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3. Summative Assessment (25 minutes)

Task: "How Significant Was Elizabeth I?"

• Students will respond to the question using a structured worksheet.
• They will rank Elizabeth’s achievements in order of importance and justify their choices.

Assessment Criteria:

• Clear explanation of Elizabeth I’s impact.
• Use of historical examples.
• Justified reasoning in ranking her legacy.

Creative Extension (Optional if time allows)

• Newspaper Headline Challenge: Each student creates a front-page headline as if they were reporting in Elizabethan times.
• Example: "Victory Over the Armada! Queen Elizabeth Ensures England’s Safety!"

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4. Reflection and Wrap-Up (5 minutes)

• Recap key points by having students summarise what they learned in one sentence.
• Discuss how leadership and decision-making were crucial for Elizabeth I.
• Ask: "What qualities made Elizabeth I a great leader? Do any leaders today share these qualities?"

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Teacher Notes & Differentiation

• Support: Provide sentence starters for students who need guidance in structuring their assessment.
• Challenge: Ask higher-ability students to make links between Elizabeth I and other monarchs they have studied.

Success Criteria:

• Students will successfully explain Elizabeth I’s impact using historical evidence.
• Students will demonstrate critical thinking in evaluating her reign’s significance.

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Evaluation & Next Steps

• Teacher Assessment: Review the ranking activity for depth of understanding.
• Student Reflection: Have students rate how confident they feel about their knowledge of Elizabeth I.
• Next Lesson: Links to the Stuart period and the changes in monarchy after Elizabeth I’s death.

This lesson ensures a structured yet engaging summative assessment, aligning with UK education standards while making history immersive for Year 6 students. 🎉