Introduction
Teaching history to primary school children can be both challenging and exhilarating. Young learners are naturally curious and eager to understand the world around them. To nurture this curiosity, it’s essential to use resources that are not only informative but also interactive and engaging. In this blog post, we explore the top interactive resources for teaching primary history, aligned with the UK’s National Curriculum. These tools are designed to make history lessons not just educational but also fun and memorable for young minds.
1. BBC Bitesize – Primary History
BBC Bitesize – Primary History
BBC Bitesize offers a vast array of interactive games, animated videos, and quizzes specifically designed for primary students. The content covers key historical periods and events in a child-friendly manner, making it easy for young learners to grasp complex concepts. The interactive quizzes and games ensure that children remain engaged and retain the historical facts they learn.
2. Horrible Histories
Horrible Histories
Based on the popular book series, the Horrible Histories website offers a fun and slightly gruesome take on history that is incredibly appealing to children. The site features games, quizzes, and videos that explore the more macabre and humorous side of historical events and figures, ensuring lessons are memorable and engaging.
3. National Geographic Kids – History
National Geographic Kids – History
National Geographic Kids provides interactive resources focusing on history through the lens of exploration and adventure. Their history section includes games, videos, and fun facts that cover a wide range of topics from ancient civilizations to famous explorers. This resource is excellent for encouraging a sense of adventure and curiosity among young historians.
4. The British Museum’s Young Explorers
The British Museum’s Young Explorers
The British Museum has tailored its vast collection to cater to young learners through their Young Explorers channel. It includes interactive games, storytelling sessions, and craft activities that help children connect with artefacts and the stories they tell. This hands-on approach is a fantastic way to bring history to life in the classroom.
5. Primary Resources – History
Primary Resources – History
Primary Resources offers free lesson plans, activity ideas, and worksheets for teaching history in primary schools. While the site itself is not interactive, it provides numerous templates for interactive classroom activities that encourage active participation and make learning history a dynamic experience.
Conclusion
Using interactive resources to teach history not only enhances engagement but also helps young learners develop a genuine interest in understanding the past and how it shapes our world. We encourage you to incorporate these tools into your teaching methods and watch your students’ love for history grow.
Share Your Insights!
At LessonPlanned, we are always keen to learn about new and effective ways to teach history. If you have used or know of any other interactive history teaching resources suitable for primary education, please share them with us. Visit LessonPlanned to contribute your ideas and resources, and help us enrich the educational journey of countless educators and students across the UK.
Let’s make history exciting and accessible for our young learners, shaping them into informed citizens of tomorrow. Together, we can create a more engaging and insightful educational experience for all. Join us in this mission!