Tudor Houses Explored

Age Group

Year 5 (Ages 9-10)

Duration

30 minutes

Class Size

6 students

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National Curriculum Links

• History Programme of Study – Key Stage 2, Years 3-6
  • Pupils should be taught about changes in Britain from the Stone Age to the Iron Age; the Roman Empire and its impact on Britain; Britain’s settlement by Anglo-Saxons and Scots; the Viking and Anglo-Saxon struggle for the Kingdom of England; a local history study; a study of an aspect or theme in British history that extends pupils’ chronological knowledge beyond 1066.
  • Pupils should develop a chronologically secure knowledge and understanding of British history, establishing clear narratives within and across the periods they study.

Specifically, for Tudor times:

• Pupils should be able to describe and make links between the everyday life of people in Tudor times and the houses they lived in.

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Learning Objectives (WALT)

• WALT: Describe key features of houses during the Tudor period.
• WALT: Understand how Tudor houses reflect the lifestyle and social status of their inhabitants.
• WALT: Use historical vocabulary like "timber-framed," "thatched roof," and "jettied upper floors" confidently.

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Success Criteria

• I can identify and explain at least three features of a Tudor house.
• I can describe how these features relate to the Tudor way of life.
• I can use historical terms correctly to describe a Tudor house.
• I can observe and discuss differences between Tudor houses and modern homes.

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Resources

• Large printed images of Tudor houses (with dyslexia-friendly font labels)
• A 3D model or paper craft Tudor house kit (simple timber-frame style)
• Printed flashcards with vocabulary and simple definitions
• Whiteboard and markers
• Worksheets with pictures and writing prompts (using dyslexia-friendly font and layout)

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Lesson Structure and Activities

Time	Activity	Details	Differentiation	Assessment/Outcomes
0-5 mins	Engage: Introduction & Key Vocabulary	- Begin by showing large clear images of Tudor houses. Use a dyslexia-friendly font on labels that point to timber frames, thatched roofs, jettied windows, and chimneys. - Ask students to share what they notice about the houses. - Introduce and discuss 4 key vocabulary words that describe Tudor houses.	- Provide vocabulary flashcards with images for EAL or students needing extra support. - Use visual clues to support meaning.	- Check understanding through oral Q&A about vocabulary.
5-15 mins	Explore & Explain: Features and Lifestyle Links	- Compare a Tudor house image with a modern British house. - Lead a discussion: Why was the timber frame used? Why were the upper floors jettied? What kind of people lived in these houses? - Explain lifestyle aspects—e.g., open hearths, no bathrooms, multipurpose rooms. - Showcase a 3D paper craft model of a Tudor house to reinforce features visibly.	- Students who struggle with writing can label parts on a printed house diagram instead. - Gifted learners can research different types of Tudor houses (e.g., merchant’s house vs. farmer’s cottage).	- Students verbally explain at least two house features and their purposes or their reflection of Tudor life.
15-25 mins	Apply: Creative Hands-on Activity	- Each student assembles or decorates a simple Tudor house paper model or colours a detailed drawing of a Tudor house. - Encourage using vocabulary labels to decorate their model/drawing. - In pairs, students explain their models using key historical terms.	- Provide stickers or stamps with vocabulary for students with fine motor difficulties. - Challenge advanced learners to add a short description of how life in the house was different compared to today.	- Mini peer presentations showcasing their Tudor house and explaining features. Informal teacher assessment of vocabulary use and understanding.
25-30 mins	Reflect & Review	- Recap WALT and success criteria on the board. - Ask students to tell the class one thing they learned about Tudor houses. - Provide a short exit quiz (oral or written, simple sentences with multiple choice) on Tudor house features.	- Read quiz questions aloud for students with reading difficulties. - Provide extra thinking time for those who need it.	- Collect exit quiz to assess understanding and vocabulary retention.

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Differentiation

• For SEND/Dyslexic Learners:

  • Use dyslexia-friendly fonts and coloured paper to reduce visual stress.
  • Present key vocabulary visually with pictures and colour coding.
  • Offer verbal explanations and extra time during activities.
  • Provide labelled diagrams for easier comprehension.

• For Advanced Learners:

  • Research task on variations of Tudor homes across England and social classes.
  • Write a short paragraph about how Tudor housing influenced later architecture.

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Extension Activities

• Create a mini Tudor street diorama in pairs, including the houses built during the lesson.
• Write a diary entry as a child living in a Tudor house, describing a day.
• Research Tudor furniture or food inside these homes and present findings.

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Teacher Notes

• Keep the discussion interactive to maintain engagement in a small class.
• Use questioning to draw connections between history and how homes have evolved.
• Encourage students to use their own observations to build historical understanding.
• Promote confidence with historical vocabulary by repetition and applying terms during activities.

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This compact, multimodal lesson offers a tactile, visual, and auditory learning experience while keeping tightly aligned to the National Curriculum for England. It develops chronological understanding, historical vocabulary, and interpretive skills aligned with Year 5 expectations.