Learning objective
- To explain when and why the Vikings came to Britain.
Success criteria
- I can give
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National curriculum
History
The national curriculum
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Cross-curricular links
Geography
Human and physical geography
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Before the lesson
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Lesson plan
Recap and recall
Before starting this unit, you might want to check the children can recall: The Romans left Britain in AD 410. The reasons for the Anglo-Saxons invading Britain. Identify where the Angles, Saxons and Jutes originated from. Understand the chronology of Britain during the Anglo-Saxon period (410 – 1066). How Christianity arrived in Britain.
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Adaptive teaching
Pupils needing extra support
Could sequence fewer cards using the Activity: Chronology cards: support version; could use a pre-drawn timeline; could have the scale and dates pre-marked on a timeline.
Pupils working at greater depth
Could consider which events were more significant and why; compare dates from periods they have studied previously to compare civilisations; could use a tablet or laptop to research additional dates and events to add to their timeline.
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Assessing progress and understanding
Pupils with secure understanding indicated by: identifying the reasons Vikings migrated to
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Vocabulary definitions
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Anglo-Saxons
People from Northern Europe, who settled in Britain.
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explorer
A person who travels to a new place to discover more about it.
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In this unit
Assessment - History Y5/6 (A): Vikings
Y5/6 (A): Lesson 1: When and why did the Vikings come to Britain?
Y5/6 (A): Lesson 2: Were the Vikings raiders, traders or something else?
Lesson 3: Where were the Viking trading routes and why was trade important?
Y5/6 (A): Lesson 4: Why are there different Viking sagas explaining the same event and what does this tell us about the Vikings?
Y5/6 (A): Lesson 5: What were the impacts of Viking raids and settlements on local communities in Britain?
Y5/6 (A): Lesson 6: What were the Vikings’ achievements and how did they impact the world?
Maintained by: Kapow Primary team
Last update: 17th January, 2026
Y5/6 (A): Lesson 5: What were the impacts of Viking raids and settlements on local communities in Britain?
Investigating the impact of Viking invasion on communities in Britain.
Y5/6 (A): Lesson 4: Why are there different Viking sagas explaining the same event and what does this tell us about the Vikings?
Comparing Viking sagas and writing their own saga.
Y5/6 (A): Lesson 1: When and why did the Vikings come to Britain?
Investigating when and why the Vikings came to Britain.
Y5/6 (A): Lesson 3: Where were the Viking trading routes and why was trade important?
Finding out about Viking trade routes and trade.
