Teacher vdeo: Empire, invasion and settlers

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Teaching abstract historical concepts in context: Empire, invasion and settlers

This archived History scheme of work video supports teachers in introducing and developing pupils’ understanding of complex substantive concepts such as empire, peasantry, and monarchy by placing them in different historical contexts, including the Romans, Anglo-Saxons, and Vikings. It emphasises the value of comparing these concepts across time periods to deepen understanding.

The video highlights the importance of chronology in building conceptual knowledge.  Teachers are encouraged to start with clear definitions and then embed these concepts in meaningful contexts. It also explains how concepts like invasion can vary between periods: the Roman invasion involved a military campaign, while Anglo-Saxon and Viking invasions were part of a migratory process, bringing cultural change through the mixing of traditions. Empire, in the Roman context, refers to the vast territories and peoples under Roman control, offering an opportunity to explore its political, social, and cultural implications.

This video is designed to build pupils’ conceptual understanding through contextualised teaching.

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