The first use of bronze
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain when the Bronze Age was and how bronze is made.
Key learning points
- The Bronze Age began nearly 4000 years ago in Britain.
- This took place because many humans across the world began to make bronze.
- Bronze is made by melding the metals copper and tin to combine their properties.
- The Bronze Age began at different points for different civilisations.
- Copper is common but tin less so; tin had to be traded to make bronze.
Keywords
Bronze Age - the Bronze Age is a period in history when humans used bronze
Ore - rock or soil from which metal can be obtained
Smelting - smelting is the process heating a metal ore to extract the raw metal
Melding - melding is mixing or combining two things together
Common misconception
Bronze is a natural resource (metal) and not man-made.
Ensure children understand that bronze is a product that was made by humans.
Teacher tip
Demonstrate the melding and casting processes involved in making bronze by making jelly. Mix jelly cubes and warm water together (melding) and pour into a mould to set (casting). Ensure this is done safely being aware of the warm water.
Content guidance
Risk assessment required - equipment
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of these phrases refer to the past?
Q2.Put the times in chronological order.
Q3.How did humans live during the middle Stone Age?
Q4.What material were tools made from in the Stone Age?
Q5.Which statement is correct?
Q6.During the late Stone Age humans in Britain were often __________.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.When did the Stone Age end in Britain?
Q2.Why did the Stone Age end in Britain?
Q3.Bronze is made by melding two metals. Which two metals are melded to make bronze?
Q4.Copper and tin are extracted by their ores.
Q5.Match the word to the correct definition
mixing or combining two things together
extracting something from under the ground
heating a metal ore to extract the raw metal
Q6.Which statement is correct?
To help you plan your 3 history lesson on: The first use of bronze, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 3 history lesson on: The first use of bronze, 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.