The beginning of the Iron Age
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain how and when the Iron Age began in Britain and describe who the Celts were.
Key learning points
- The Bronze Age was gradually replaced by the Iron Age in Britain approximately 2800 years ago.
- This happened when iron working began to replace bronze manufacture.
- Iron is a common metal and is harder and tougher than bronze but harder to smelt as it requires very high temperatures.
- At the time of this change, much of what is now England was inhabited by the Celtic people who had spread across Europe.
- Historians are not sure when they came to Britain or whether they did so peacefully.
Keywords
Iron Age - the Iron Age is a period in history when people used iron
Smelting - when metal ores are heated up to extract the metal it is called smelting
Celts - Celts were groups of people living in Britain and across Europe during the Iron Age
Tribe - a tribe is a group of people living and working together
Common misconception
That Celts and Iron Age people were two different things and there was a Celtic Era.
Ensure children understand that the Celtic people lived during the Iron Age.
Teacher tip
Look at a selection of artefacts made from iron, ensure these are safe; show the children a video of a blacksmith at work and how iron is hammered, bent and twisted into shape when hot, ensure suitable content.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Exploration of objects
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).Lesson video
Loading...
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What was the era before the Bronze Age called?
Q2.People used to make tools and weapons during the Bronze Age?
Q3.Rock or soil containing metal is called .
Q4.Match the historical era to the materials used to make tools during that time.
stone
bronze
iron
Q5.What does the word prehistory mean?
Q6.Which era began approximately 4,000 years ago?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Starting with the earliest, put these historical eras in the correct order.
Q2.The Iron Age replaced which era?
Q3.The Iron Age began when people began to use to make tools and weapons.
Q4.The Iron Age began when people started to use iron because it is __________.
Q5.Who inhabited Britain during the Iron Age?
Q6.The Celts lived in houses made from which material?
To help you plan your 3 history lesson on: The beginning of the Iron Age, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 3 history lesson on: The beginning of the Iron Age, 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 2 history lessons from the Bronze and Iron Age Britain: how did life change during this time? unit, dive into the full primary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.