| Full lesson | Create for a teacher a set of content for giving a lesson, beginning with the lesson plan. Each new block of materials must begin with an H1 heading (other subheaders must be H2, H3, etc). When you describe required pictures, write those descriptions in curly brackets, for example: {A picture of a triangle} |
| Which subject | History |
| What topic | Vikings Gods using artefacts |
| What length (min) | 60 |
| What age group | Year or Grade 6 |
| Class size | 32 |
| What curriculum | English National Curriculum |
| Include full script | |
| Check previous homework | |
| Ask some students to presents their homework | |
| Add a physical break | |
| Add group activities | |
| Include homework | |
| Show correct answers | |
| Prepare slide templates | |
| Number of slides | 5 |
| Create fill-in cards for students | |
| Create creative backup tasks for unexpected moments |
History
Vikings Gods Using Artefacts
Year 6
60 minutes
32 students
This lesson meets the requirements of the English National Curriculum for History by exploring significant events and figures from the Viking period, fostering critical thinking and comprehension through the use of artefacts.
| Step Number | Step Title | Length | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction to Viking Gods | 10 min | Introduce the topic with a brief overview of Vikings and their gods. Discuss the importance of artefacts in understanding their beliefs. |
| 2 | Artefact Exploration | 15 min | Distribute printable cards to students. Provide images/replicas of artefacts. Students examine artefacts and note observations on their cards. |
| 3 | Group Discussion | 15 min | Form students into groups of 4-5. Each group discusses their findings from the artefact exploration and shares insights about Viking gods. |
| 4 | Class Reflection | 10 min | Invite each group to share one key takeaway from their discussion. Facilitate a reflective conversation about common themes. |
| 5 | Collecting Students' Cards | 5 min | Randomly check the completed cards without formal presentation. Collect cards to assess understanding and engagement. |
| 6 | Conclusion and Homework | 5 min | Summarise the lesson highlights. Assign homework: research a Viking god and prepare a short written piece for next lesson. |
Students will research a Viking god of their choice and write a short piece (150-200 words) to bring to the next lesson. The homework will be collected without student presentations.
This lesson plan is designed to engage students in active learning about Viking gods through artefacts, fostering collaborative skills and personal research engagement.
"Good morning, everyone! Today, we are going to embark on an exciting journey back in time to explore the fascinating world of the Vikings and their gods. Who here has heard of the Vikings before? Great! Can anyone tell me what you know about them?"
(Allow a few students to share their thoughts.)
"That's wonderful! The Vikings were not just fierce warriors; they also had a rich belief system with many gods that played significant roles in their lives. Each of these gods had unique attributes and stories that were important to the Vikings. But how can we learn about these gods? One way is through artefacts, which are objects from that time that give us clues about their beliefs and culture. Today, we will learn about Viking gods through some interesting artefacts."
"Now, I will be handing out printable cards to each of you. These cards will help you record your observations. In front of you, you'll find some images and possibly replicas of artefacts that relate to the Viking gods."
(Distribute printable cards and artefact images or replicas.)
"I'd like you to spend the next 15 minutes examining the artefacts. Write down what you see, what you think it might have been used for, and how you think it relates to the Viking gods. Remember to think critically and make interesting observations!"
(Allow students to work on their cards for the designated time.)
"Time's up! Now, I would like you to form groups of 4-5 students. In your groups, discuss your findings from the artefact exploration. Focus on what you found interesting and what insights you have about the Viking gods."
(Give students a moment to form groups, then provide them with some guiding questions.)
"To help guide your discussions, consider the following questions:
You have 15 minutes for your group discussions, so make sure everyone participates!"
"Welcome back, everyone! I hope you had engaging discussions in your groups. Now, I would like each group to share one key takeaway from your conversations. Who would like to start?"
(Facilitate sharing from each group.)
"Excellent insights! As we listen to each other, think about the common themes we are uncovering. What patterns do you notice in relation to the Viking gods? Let's reflect together."
(Encourage students to share thoughts on common themes.)
"Thank you all for sharing! Now, I would like to collect the cards you filled out during the artefact exploration. I will come around and check your cards randomly—there's no need for a formal presentation. This will help me assess your understanding and engagement with the lesson. Please pass your cards to the front while I collect them."
(Collect cards while engaging with students about their responses.)
"To wrap up our lesson, we have learned a lot about the Vikings and their gods through the artefacts we explored. It's amazing how much information we can gain from objects that are centuries old."
"For your homework, I would like you to choose one Viking god that interests you. Research some details about this god and prepare a short written piece—around 150 to 200 words—about who they are and what they represent. We'll share our findings in the next lesson, but there won't be a formal presentation. Just bring your writing along!"
"Thank you for your participation today! I look forward to seeing what you find out about your chosen Viking god. Have a great day!"
| Slide Number | Image | Slide Content |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | {Image: A Viking ship sailing on water} | - Introduction to Viking gods - Vikings: Fierce warriors with a rich belief system - Importance of artefacts in understanding their culture and beliefs |
| 2 | {Image: Printable cards and artefacts} | - Artefact Exploration - Distribute printable cards for observations - Examine artefacts related to Viking gods - Record thoughts and insights |
| 3 | {Image: Students discussing in groups} | - Group Discussion - Form groups of 4-5 students - Share findings on artefacts - Discuss which artefact was most intriguing and its relation to gods |
| 4 | {Image: Students sharing insights} | - Class Reflection - Groups share key takeaways from discussions - Identify common themes and insights about Viking gods |
| 5 | {Image: A stack of cards being collected} | - Collecting Students' Cards - Collect artefact observation cards for assessment - Informal collection to gauge understanding and engagement |
| 6 | {Image: Books and research materials} | - Conclusion and Homework - Recap what was learned about Viking gods through artefacts - Homework: Research a chosen Viking god and write a short piece |
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What were some of the key characteristics of the Viking gods? | |
| Which artefact from the exploration do you think was most significant and why? | |
| How did the artefacts help you understand the beliefs of the Vikings? | |
| Can you name at least three Viking gods discussed in today’s lesson? | |
| What materials were commonly used in Viking artefacts? | |
| How do the stories of Viking gods reflect the values of Viking society? | |
| What was the purpose of the artefact you studied today? | |
| How can we learn about ancient cultures through their artefacts? | |
| Can you give an example of an artefact that represents a specific Viking god? | |
| What common themes did you notice in your group discussions about the Viking gods? | |
| How might Viking artefacts differ from other ancient cultures' artefacts? | |
| Why do you think the Vikings had such a rich mythology involving multiple gods? | |
| What insights did you gain about the connection between artefacts and the Viking gods? | |
| What Viking god did you choose for your homework and why did you find them interesting? | |
| How were the Viking gods perceived in their daily lives according to the artefacts? |
If you could be any Viking god for a day, who would you choose and what would you do as that god?
Can you imagine why specific artefacts were important to the Vikings? What do you think they signified in their daily life?
Which of the Viking gods do you think had the most influence on everyday Viking life? Why do you believe that?
If you discovered a new artefact linked to the Viking gods, what would it look like, and what story do you think it would tell?
How do you think the Viking gods compare to other mythologies you may know, such as Greek or Roman? What similarities or differences can you find?