Modern History

This half term in History, Year 1 will be exploring some fascinating moments from Britain’s past. We’ll travel back in time to learn about the Tudors, the Stuarts, Guy Fawkes, and The Great Fire of London.

Children will begin to understand how life in the past was different from today, while spotting similarities and connections between then and now.

🕰️ What We’re Learning

Who Were the Tudors?

• We’ll learn who the Tudors were and find out about Tudor kings and queens, such as Henry VIII and Elizabeth I.

• Children will explore what life was like during the Tudor period – clothing, houses, and how people lived.

Who Were the Stuarts?

• We’ll find out who the Stuarts were and learn about important rulers like King James I and King Charles II.

• Children will compare how life changed between Tudor and Stuart times.

Comparing Past and Present Royals

• We’ll compare the kings and queens of the past with our King today, King Charles III.

• Children will talk about how the royal family has changed over time and what stays the same.

Who Was Guy Fawkes?

• We’ll learn about Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot of 1605.

• Children will find out what he did, why he did it, and why we remember him today with Bonfire Night and fireworks.

The Great Fire of London

• We’ll explore the Great Fire of London – when it happened, how it started, and what made it so “great” (so big and important!).

• Children will learn about Samuel Pepys, who wrote about the fire in his diary.

• We’ll think about how London changed after the fire and what people learned from it.

Who Were the Royals and Why Were They Important?

• We’ll look at how kings and queens ruled and influenced their people in the past.

• Children will understand that royals were important leaders who made big decisions that affected people’s lives.

🧠 Skills We’re Developing

• Understanding the order of historical events (chronology)

• Using words like past, present, then, now, before, after

• Learning how we find out about the past through pictures, books, and artefacts

• Talking about similarities and differences between life in the past and today

• Asking and answering historical questions

🏡 How You Can Support at Home

• Talk about Bonfire Night and why we celebrate it.

• Visit a museum or look online at pictures of The Great Fire of London and Tudor houses.

• Read stories or watch short videos about Henry VIII, Guy Fawkes, or Samuel Pepys.

• Compare pictures of King Charles III with Tudor and Stuart royals – what’s different? What’s the same?

• Encourage your child to use words like past, present, old, new, long ago.