New
New
Year 1

Head of the Commonwealth

I can describe how Elizabeth II was Head of the Commonwealth.

New
New
Year 1

Head of the Commonwealth

I can describe how Elizabeth II was Head of the Commonwealth.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Elizabeth II was not just Queen of the United Kingdom, but also Head of the Commonwealth.
  2. When Elizabeth became Queen, Britain still ruled some countries around the world that were part of the British Empire.
  3. As these countries won the right to rule themselves and left the empire, they often joined the Commonwealth of Nations.
  4. Elizabeth spent a lot of time visiting these countries, going to 28 of them.
  5. Elizabeth's visits to Commonwealth nations were important occasions with lots of spectacular events.

Keywords

  • Britain - Britain is the island which makes up England, Wales and Scotland

  • Rule - rule is when someone tells others what to do

  • Occasion - an occasion is a special event

Common misconception

Pupils may get confused between Britain and United Kingdom.

Reinforce that Britain is the landmass where the three countries of England, Wales and Scotland are located.

To help pupils understand that Elizabeth was the Head of the Commonwealth, you may watch archival footage of her visits and how grand they were.
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.
A collection of countries that were once ruled by the rulers of another country are part of the...
Correct answer: Commonwealth
empire
United Kingdom
Q2.
Who was Elizabeth married to?
Prince Charles
Correct answer: Prince Philip
Princess Anne
Q3.
Elizabeth's son, Prince Charles, was the Prince of which nation?
Correct Answer: Wales, wales
Q4.
Which church was Elizabeth the Head of?
Correct Answer: The Church of England, Church of England, the Church of England
Q5.
Which country did Elizabeth live in after she got married that used to be part of the British Empire?
Correct answer: Malta
Canada
Australia
Q6.
What do you call visits by the Queen?
holidays
Correct answer: official visits
trips

6 Questions

Q1.
When Elizabeth ruled another country, that country was part of the...
Commonwealth of Nations
Correct answer: British Empire
United Kingdom
Q2.
When countries from the British Empire began to rule themselves, what did they become a part of?
Correct Answer: Commonwealth of Nations, The Commonwealth of Nations, Commonwealth, the Commonwealth of Nations
Q3.
What is Britain?
the four nations of England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland
the collection of countries across the world ruled by Elizabeth
Correct answer: the island which makes up England, Wales and Scotland
Q4.
How many countries from the Commonwealth did Elizabeth visit during her rule?
2
Correct answer: 28
280
Q5.
Which of these pictures show Elizabeth on an official visit to the Commonwealth?
Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
Q6.
What keyword means a special event?
Correct Answer: occasion, Occasion
Q5 image 1 © REUTERS/Russell Boyce / Bridgeman Images Q5 image 2 © Granger / Bridgeman Images Q5 image 3 Photo © Keystone/Zuma / Bridgeman Images

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