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Lower Key Stage 2 Crime and Punishment
Courts

Learn about the different kinds of criminal courts that people could face from the Anglo-Saxon times to the present day and undertake re-enactments of trials. Take part in memorable interactive learning that includes role-plays and filming and editing a programme about this subject that will give a deep understanding of the chronological development of the court system.

Session 1 What is a courtroom?

Objectives

History

  • Study an aspect or theme in British history that extends pupils’ chronological knowledge beyond 1066 such as crime and punishment from the Anglo-Saxons to the present.
  • Address and sometimes devise historically valid questions about change, cause, similarity and difference, and significance.

English

  • Become more familiar with and confident in using language in a greater variety of situations, for a variety of audiences and purposes, including through drama, formal presentations and debate.

Lesson Planning

Learn about the history of courts of law and take part in a role-play representing witnesses in a court.

Teaching Outcomes:

  • To take part in a role-play representing witnesses in a court.

Children will:

  • Devise questions for historical research.
  • Undertake historical research guided by questions.
  • Learn about the history of courts of law.
  • Take part in a role-play of an enquiry.

You Will Need

  • White wig
  • Gavel
  • Black cloak
  • Devices for searching the web

Session 2 Anglo-Saxon court

Objectives

History

  • Study an aspect or theme in British history that extends pupils’ chronological knowledge beyond 1066 such as crime and punishment from the Anglo-Saxons to the present.
  • Understand how our knowledge of the past is constructed from a range of sources, and evaluate the reliability of each of these sources.

English

  • Become more familiar with and confident in using language in a greater variety of situations, for a variety of audiences and purposes, including through drama, formal presentations and debate.

Lesson Planning

Understand how Anglo-Saxon law courts worked in order to take part in a role-play of an Anglo-Saxon court.

Teaching Outcomes:

  • To take part in a role-play of an Anglo-Saxon court.

Children will:

  • Take part in a role-play
  • Understand how Anglo-Saxon law courts worked

Provided Resources

  • Character sketches for roles in the role-play

You Will Need

  • Device for recording video if you want children to create the summative video in session 6
  • Safety pins/badges

Session 3 Manor courts and Assizes

Objectives

History

  • Study an aspect or theme in British history that extends pupils’ chronological knowledge beyond 1066 such as crime and punishment from the Anglo-Saxons to the present.
  • Understand how our knowledge of the past is constructed from a range of sources, and should evaluate the reliability of each of these sources.

English

  • Become more familiar with and confident in using language in a greater variety of situations, for a variety of audiences and purposes, including through drama, formal presentations and debate.

Lesson Planning

Take part in a role-play of an assize court.

Teaching Outcomes:

  • To take part in a role-play of an assize court.

Children will:

  • Take part in a role-play.
  • Understand how an assize forest court worked.

Provided Resources

  • Character sketches for roles in the role-play

You Will Need

  • Device for recording video if you want children to create the summative video in session 6
  • White sheet
  • Paper

Session 4 Star Chamber

Objectives

History

  • Study an aspect or theme in British history that extends pupils’ chronological knowledge beyond 1066 such as crime and punishment from the Anglo-Saxons to the present.
  • Understand how our knowledge of the past is constructed from a range of sources, and evaluate the reliability of each of these sources.

English

  • Become more familiar with and confident in using language in a greater variety of situations, for a variety of audiences and purposes, including through drama, formal presentations and debate.

Lesson Planning

Take part in a role-play of a Star Chamber case.

Teaching Outcomes:

  • To take part in a role-play of a Star Chamber case.

Children will:

  • Take part in a role-play.
  • Understand how Star Chamber worked.

Provided Resources

  • Character sketches for roles in the role-play

You Will Need

  • Device for recording video if you want children to create the summative video in session 6
  • Paper doilies
  • Circular piece of paper

Session 5 Courts today

Objectives

History

  • Study an aspect or theme in British history that extends pupils’ chronological knowledge beyond 1066 such as crime and punishment from the Anglo-Saxons to the present.
  • Address and sometimes devise historically valid questions about change, cause, similarity and difference, and significance.
  • Construct informed responses that involve thoughtful selection and organisation of relevant historical information.

English

  • Become more familiar with and confident in using language in a greater variety of situations, for a variety of audiences and purposes, including through drama, formal presentations and debate.

Lesson Planning

Perform a presentation about modern courts to your class.

Teaching Outcomes:

  • To perform a presentation about modern courts.

Children will:

  • Devise research questions to direct their web research.
  • Address research questions in their web research.
  • Present the results of research to the class.

You Will Need

  • Devices for researching on the web
  • Device for recording video if you want children to create the summative video in session 6

Session 6 The Development of Courts

Objectives

History

  • Study an aspect or theme in British history that extends pupils’ chronological knowledge beyond 1066 such as crime and punishment from the Anglo-Saxons to the present.
  • Construct informed responses that involve thoughtful selection and organisation of relevant historical information.

Computing

  • Select, use and combine a variety of software (including internet services) on a range of digital devices to design and create a range of programs, systems and content that accomplish given goals, including collecting, analysing, evaluating and presenting data and information.

Lesson Planning

Make a film about the development of courts-of-law.

Teaching Outcomes:

  • To make a film about the development of courts-of-law.

Children will:

  • Edit video clips into a short film.
  • Organise historical information into a narrative.
  • Explain some features of historical courts-of-law and how they changed over time.

You Will Need

  • Devices for editing films

Weblinks

There are no weblinks needed for this session.