In this History video, teachers are supported in helping the children use historical sources to investigate the past. The video defines sources as written, visual, oral or physical materials and explains how they become meaningful evidence when used to support historical claims.

The video guides teachers on introducing source-based enquiry from Reception to Year 6, progressing from handling familiar objects and comparing images to analysing maps, census data and archaeological finds. The distinction between a source and evidence is clearly outlined, alongside a simple enquiry framework: acquire background knowledge, explore sources, ask questions, formulate an enquiry and make deductions. The video also highlights the roles of archaeologists, archivists and historians in developing an understanding of how we know about the past.

This video is part of Kapow Primary’s History skills videos, which enable teachers and pupils to explore the past and understand how it has shaped the world today.

See more of our Key stage 2 History scheme of work.

• History, Year 3, British history 1: Would you prefer to have lived in the Stone Age, Bronze Age or Iron Age?, Lesson 3: Who was this Bronze Age man?
• History, Year 4, British history 3: What changed in Britain after the Anglo-Saxon invasion?, Lesson 5: Was King Alfred really ‘Great’?
• History, Year 5, British history 5: What was life like in Tudor England?, Lesson 3: Why was Anne Boleyn executed?
• History, Year 6, What was the impact of World War 2 on the people of Britain?, Lesson 3: What do sources tell us about the Blitz?