A queen of four nations, head of the Commonwealth
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain how Elizabeth II's travels across the UK and the Commonwealth showed her care for all people within her realm.
Key learning points
- As queen, Elizabeth travelled frequently across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
- She also visited many Commonwealth countries.
- Elizabeth II met people to help charities.
- Her actions showed she was a queen for everyone.
Keywords
Travel - going to visit different places and people
United Kingdom - the four countries of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, ruled together
Realm - all the countries that a king or queen rules over or the places where a king or queen is in charge
Commonwealth - countries that work together in friendship; most of them were once ruled by Britain
Charity - a group of people who work together to help others
Common misconception
Pupils might think that Elizabeth II only lived, and stayed, in London (maybe at Buckingham Palace).
Show and remind pupils how Elizabeth II travelled across the UK and around the world.
Teacher tip
You could create a a floor map to reflect the places mentioned in the story: pupils could “travel” to each place waving flags they have made. You could also research if Elizabeth ever visited your local area - pupils could add this to their map and discuss why she might have come.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Where does the Trooping the Colour ceremony take place?
Q2.Most countries used to be ruled by Britain in the past, but nowadays they are just friends.
Q3.Match Elizabeth's clothes to the correct ceremony.
Trooping the Colour
visiting another country
State Opening of Parliament
Q4.What is a ceremony?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the word to the definition.
the four countries of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
going to visit different places and people
a group of people who work together to help others
the places where a king or queen is in charge
Q2.How often did Elizabeth travel around the United Kingdom and to different countries?
Q3.Which countries are in the United Kingdom?
Q4.Commonwealth countries are nations that used to be ruled by the United ...
Q5.Why did Elizabeth travel all around the United Kingdom and Commonwealth countries?
Q6.How much charity work was Elizabeth involved in?
To help you plan your 1 history lesson on: A queen of four nations, head of the Commonwealth, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 1 history lesson on: A queen of four nations, head of the Commonwealth, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 1 history lessons from the Changes within living memory: what changed during Elizabeth II's lifetime? unit, dive into the full primary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.