History · Year 2

Active learning ideas

Homes in the Past

Take a trip back in time to discover what school was like for your pupils' grandparents. This topic uses personal history to make the past tangible and exciting for young learners.

• National Curriculum Attainment Targets
• National Curriculum in England: History Programmes of Study: Key Stage 1

• 30–60 min
• Pairs → Whole Class
• 3 activities

Activity 01

• Mystery Object
• 60 min · Whole Class

A Day in a Victorian Classroom

Transform the classroom for a session to simulate a Victorian school day. Arrange desks in rows, provide chalk and small boards (or black paper and chalk), and enforce rules like standing up to speak. Conclude with a discussion comparing the experience to their normal school day.

Identify three objects in a 1950s kitchen that are different from today.

Facilitation Tip

Focus on the sensory experience and routine, rather than harsh discipline, to keep the activity positive and engaging.

What to look for

Pupils complete a Venn diagram to compare and contrast their classroom with a classroom from the past, using pictures or words.

• Understand
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Self-Management
• Social Awareness

Activity 02

• Mystery Object
• 30 min · Individual

Interview a Grandparent

Pupils prepare a set of questions at school about what school was like for their grandparents or another older relative. They then conduct the interview for homework, recording the answers to share with the class.

Explain how doing the washing has changed over time.

Facilitation Tip

Provide a structured question sheet with prompts like 'What games did you play?' and 'What was your favourite lesson?' to guide them.

What to look for

Pupils create a 'Then and Now' booklet with drawings and simple sentences showing differences in lessons, uniforms, and playtime.

• Understand
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Self-Management
• Social Awareness

Activity 03

• Mystery Object
• 30 min · Small Groups

Playground Games from the Past

In a PE lesson or during break time, teach and play traditional playground games. Include classics like hopscotch, marbles, cat's cradle, and skipping with rhymes.

Compare a modern living room with one from your grandparents' childhood.

Facilitation Tip

Use old photographs or videos to show children how the games were played before they try them.

What to look for

Pupils use a simple 'thumbs up, thumbs middle, thumbs down' to show their confidence in explaining one way school was different in the past.

• Understand
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Self-Management
• Social Awareness

A few notes on teaching this unit

Begin by sharing pictures of schools from the 1950s or 60s and asking pupils what they notice. Use artefact boxes with items like slates, old wooden toys, or an abacus to provide a hands-on experience. Inviting a grandparent or older community member into the classroom as a 'guest speaker' can be a powerful and memorable way to bring the past to life.

By the end of this topic, your pupils will be able to identify key differences between school life today and in the past, using evidence from stories and pictures.

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Watch Out for These Misconceptions

• All schools in the past were exactly the same, with very strict teachers.

  Schools varied a lot, just like today. Some were small village schools, others were large city schools. While discipline was often stricter, many teachers were kind and caring.

• Life was boring for children in the past because they didn't have computers or tablets.

  Children had many different toys and games that they enjoyed. They often played outside more and used their imagination to create their own fun with friends.

• The past was black and white.

  This is a common idea that comes from seeing old photographs. The world has always been in colour; it was just the cameras that couldn't capture it back then.

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Methods used in this brief

• Mystery Object