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Teaching causes and consequences in history
In this History video, teachers are supported to introduce and develop the children’s understanding of the concepts of cause and consequence.
The video explains that causes are the reasons leading up to an event and that consequences are the direct results, using simple examples, such as an ice cream melting on a hot day, to keep ideas relatable. Teachers are guided to distinguish between short-term and long-term causes and to avoid assuming that anything happening beforehand is automatically a cause. The video also shows how consequences can be immediate or far reaching. Strategies such as categorising causes, evaluating responsibility and using diagrams to sort and compare factors help teachers develop the children’s confidence in analytical thinking.
This teacher video is part of Kapow Primary’s History skills videos, designed to build teachers’ confidence and skills in developing the children’s understanding of why events happened and their lasting effects.
See more of our Key stage 2 scheme of work.
- History, Year 3, British history 2: How did the Romans invade and settle in Britain? Lesson 2: Why did the Romans invade and settle in Britain?
- History, Year 4, British history 3: What changed in Britain after the Anglo-Saxon invasion? Lesson 1: Who were the Anglo-Saxons and the Scots?
- History, Year 6, *Updated* What was the impact of World War 2? Lesson 1: Why did Britain go to war in 1939?
