Wolves Through Time

Overview

Unit: Exploring Habitats and Conservation
Lesson 9 of 20
Duration: 60 minutes
Class Size: 30 Year 2 students (aged 6-7)

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Learning Objectives (National Curriculum links)

• History (Years 1-2):
  “Changes within living memory. Where appropriate, these should be used to reveal aspects of change in national life.”
  • Pupils should be taught to identify some significant events (here, related to wolves) in history and understand their impact.
• Science (Year 2):
  “Identify that most living things live in habitats to which they are suited and describe how different habitats provide for the basic needs of different kinds of animals and plants.”
• English (Year 2):
  • Develop spoken language skills through discussion and storytelling, linked with learning about wolves’ history.
  • Participate in collaborative conversations about topics or texts.

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WALT

We Are Learning To:

• Understand the historical importance of wolves.
• Explore the role of wolves in ecosystems and conservation.

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Success Criteria

I can:

• Explain one reason why wolves are important today and in history.
• Describe how wolves have influenced the environment or people in the past.
• Use a timeline to place key events in wolf history (for visual learners).

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Resources

• Large classroom timeline visual aid (prepared timeline with key wolf events)
• Picture cards of wolves, early humans, forests, ecosystems
• Differentiated worksheets: sentence starters, writing frames, and blank timeline templates
• Whiteboard, markers, sticky notes
• Extension task materials: paper, coloured pencils, ruler for timeline creation

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Lesson Structure

Starter (10 minutes)

• Engagement: Show a striking image of a wolf in the wild. Ask: “What do you know about wolves? Why do you think they might have been important to people long ago?”
• Discussion: Brief whole-class brainstorm on what wolves do in nature (e.g., hunters, part of the food chain). Use simple vocabulary aligned with Year 2 language development.
• Display the WALT and success criteria on the board; read together.

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Main Activity (40 minutes)

1. Introduction to the History of Wolves (10 mins)

• Share a short, engaging story about wolves from history or folklore (e.g., the role of wolves in early human hunting or in ecosystem balance).
• Use a timeline visual with pictures to highlight key points such as:
  • Wolves living alongside early humans
  • Wolves’ role as predators keeping ecosystems balanced
  • Wolves’ influence on human culture and conservation movements

2. Group Activity - Timeline Exploration (15 mins)

• Arrange students in mixed ability groups (to mix confident learners and those needing support).
• Each group receives a portion of a wolf history timeline with images and simple captions.
• Ask groups to:
  • Place events in order and discuss their importance.
  • Use the timeline as a visual aid, especially supporting visual learners and those with EAL or SEN needs.

3. Differentiated Worksheet Task (15 mins)

• Pupils complete their own worksheets appropriate to their level:
  • Working Towards: Match pictures to events on a simple timeline worksheet.
  • Expected: Write 1-2 sentences explaining why wolves were important in the past. Sentence starters provided.
  • Greater Depth: Write 3-4 sentences or create their own mini timeline describing key points of wolf history.

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Plenary (10 minutes)

• Gather the class and invite volunteers to share one thing they learned about wolves and their importance.
• Reinforce the learning by revisiting the timeline and emphasising how wolves have helped keep habitats balanced over time.
• Introduce the extension task for those wishing to explore further:
  • Extension: Create a personal timeline of wolf history with drawings and key facts at home or as a follow-up activity.

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Differentiation

• Visual timeline supports learners with processing needs and visual/auditory preferences.
• Sentence starters and writing frames support early writers or EAL pupils.
• Small group work and mixed ability grouping provide peer scaffolding.
• Extra challenge (timeline creation) for more able learners to deepen understanding and develop sequencing skills.

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Assessment Opportunities

• Informal anecdotal notes during group discussions: ability to verbalise one reason wolves are important.
• Review completed worksheets for understanding of key historical events and the ability to express this in writing.
• Listen to contributions during plenary to confirm understanding.

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Links to Future Learning

• Upcoming lessons on animal adaptations and conservation efforts.
• Builds skills in chronology, historical empathy, and ecological literacy.
• Supports wider literacy by integrating speaking, listening, reading, and writing tasks.

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Teacher’s Reflection Notes

• Monitor engagement with the timeline activity to ensure all children understand sequencing, modifying scaffold as needed.
• Consider adapting story language or supplementing with additional visuals for pupils with communication challenges.
• Gather feedback on the extension task for variety and depth in future lessons.

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This lesson merges history, science and literacy in a rich, multisensory approach carefully aligned to National Curriculum standards for Year 2, aiming to inspire curiosity about wolves and their place both in ecosystems and history.