New
New
Year 1

Elizabeth's childhood education and interests

I can describe how Elizabeth's education changed when she became first in line to the throne.

New
New
Year 1

Elizabeth's childhood education and interests

I can describe how Elizabeth's education changed when she became first in line to the throne.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Like many girls from wealthy families at this time, Elizabeth was educated at home.
  2. She learnt French from her governesses, which she would later use when visiting Canada.
  3. She also learnt to ride horses, and joined the Girl Guides and Sea Rangers.
  4. When she became first in line to the throne, her education changed to prepare her to be queen.
  5. Elizabeth had to study law and the history of kings and queens; the Archbishop of Canterbury taught her about religion.

Keywords

  • Wealthy - wealthy means to have a lot of money

  • Educate - educate is when you are taught something

  • Law - laws are rules that exist in a country; if you do not follow them, you can get in trouble

  • Religion - religion is a belief in a god and praying

Common misconception

There was no change in Elizabeth's education after she became an heir and she continued as she was.

Reinforce the events before and after this significant turning point in Elizabeth's life.

You could use photos to do a sorting activity of things Elizabeth learnt before and after she became heir. You could also discuss how Elizabeth's primary education is similar or different to the pupils, and how this has changed over time.
Teacher tip

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
What do we call someone who will be the next king or queen?
King or queen
Correct answer: Heir to the throne
Archbishop of Canterbury
Q2.
Where did Elizabeth live when she became heir to the throne?
Correct answer: Buckingham Palace
Windsor Castle
17 Bruton Street
Q3.
Who was the Archbishop of Canterbury?
The head of the country
The head of the schools
Correct answer: The head of the Church of England
Q4.
How old was Elizabeth when her uncle abdicated the throne?
Correct answer: 10
100
50
Q5.
Which of these things happened before Elizabeth became heir to the throne?
Correct answer: Elizabeth's uncle abdicated the throne.
Correct answer: Elizabeth lived a quiet life in a country house in Great Windsor Park.
Elizabeth became queen.
Q6.
What is a royal tour?
When the royal family go on a quiet holiday.
When the royal family stay at home.
Correct answer: When the royal family go to meet people in other cities and countries.

6 Questions

Q1.
Elizabeth was educated at home by...
teachers.
Correct answer: governesses.
archbishops.
Q2.
Match the word to the meaning.
Correct Answer:educate,to be taught something

to be taught something

Correct Answer:wealthy,to have a lot of money

to have a lot of money

Q3.
Which of these did Elizabeth learn before she knew she would be queen someday?
Correct answer: riding a horse
the history of kings and queens
Correct answer: swimming
law
Q4.
Elizabeth learnt these things after she became heir to the throne. Match the word to the meaning.
Correct Answer:religion,belief in a god and praying

belief in a god and praying

Correct Answer:law,a rule that exists in a country

a rule that exists in a country

Q5.
Who taught Elizabeth about religion?
the King of England
Correct answer: the Archbishop of Canterbury
the governesses
Q6.
What language did Elizabeth learn from her governesses?
Spanish
Correct answer: French
Italian

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