The Zulu Kingdom

This Zulu Kingdom lesson pack for year 5/6 children is no ordinary history unit. You and your class will dive into the past with a different historic lens and discover what happened during the Anglo-Zulu war.

Children will first look at artefacts from both the Victorian and Zulu Kingdom and realise that they were in fact at the same point in history. Following this, children will learn about Zulu culture and will be encouraged to challenge any assumptions they may have had.

Children will look at sources and explore their validity and address the idea of bias and misconceptions and how these played a role in the Anglo-Zulu war. They will consider its impact and how these problems may be present in today's society. This is not just a history unit, it is a holistic approach to teaching about the past and how this can impact the future. This unit was made in collaboration with @goodmorningmsfoster and as part of our on going pledge to ensure that the lessons we create represent, speak to, and inspire all children, whatever their race. Learn more about our mission to decolonise the curriculum here.

Save up to 30% on this scheme of work by creating your own Mix and Match Amazing Africa Topic Bundle – perfect if you're looking for a cross-curricular approach to your teaching! 

 

Zulu Timeline

This initial lesson helps your class place the Zulu kingdom in time by comparing it to another well-known era: The Victorians.

Children are challenged to compare artefacts from the two different cultures and determine what information they can gather from them. They will be asked to order the two cultures, depending on which came first before being told that they happened at the same time!

This lesson comes with a detailed lesson plan, lesson slides and printable resources, as well as a website with links to images of different artefacts for your class to look at. You'll have everything you need to introduce your class to the Zulu Kingdom.

View Lesson 1

Historic Reputations

In this lesson, children will learn more about the Zulu Kingdom and what they were known for.

Children will then think about what the Victorians and Zulus were known for - in particular challenging the perception that the Zulus were known to be violent and comparing this to Victorian reputation. Children will then reflect on what they have found out and question any assumptions they may have had before the lesson.

This lesson comes with detailed planning, slides for teaching input and differentiated resources.

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Secondary Sources and Colonialism

This lesson draws direct comparisons between the Zulu Kingdom and Britain and the part Britain played in the fall of the Zulu Kingdom.

Children will learn the meaning of colonisation before considering how sources we read about the Anglo-Zulu war may not be trustworthy, depending on their origins. Alternatively, children will read witness statements and create their own storyboard of the Battle of Isandlwana.

This lesson comes with a range of printable resources, detailed lesson planning and slides for teaching input.

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Zulu Culture Today

In this lesson, children will discover how Zulu culture has changed over time, in the same way British culture has changed since the Victorian era.

Children will become 'culture experts' on different areas of Zulu culture before sharing what they have learnt with their peers. Children will begin to understand how misconceptions and assumptions can lead to inaccurate opinions, in particular about African tribes such as the Zulus.

This lesson includes a detailed plan, an informative set of slides for the teaching input, as well as a range of printable resources.

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Impacts

This lesson challenges your class to reflect on the impacts that different civilisations and eras will have had on the lives of people at the time, as well as how they impact future generations.

Children are challenged to explore how different events in the Anglo-Zulu war will have impacted the views of different people at the time. How did the Zulu victory at Isandlwana affect the views of a typical British citizen? What about a loyal Zulu warrior? Explore this idea together using the detailed and engaging lesson slides provided in this lesson download.

As well as lesson slides, this download includes a detailed lesson plan, differentiated activity ideas as well as the printable resources to accompany them.

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Morality and Cultural Expectations

In this thought-provoking lesson, children will first explore what a 'moral compass' is, and discuss how this can be influenced by our cultural expectations.

Children are challenged to think about how these beliefs and expectations affect what we view as 'right' and 'wrong', 'good' or 'bad'. In their independent activities, they will compare and contrast the morality and cultural expectations of the Zulus and the British, looking for similarities and differences.

This lesson includes a detailed plan, an informative set of slides for the teaching input, as well as a range of printable resources.

View Lesson 6

Different Perspectives

In this final lesson on the Zulu Kingdom, children will explore how both bias and the passing of time can affect our viewpoints of events.

Children will apply this understanding, as well as their knowledge of the battle of Isandlwana, to write deliberately biased reports about the event. In the alternative activity provided, children are challenged to take part in a class discussion around the question, 'How does bias exist in today's society?'

A comprehensive plan, engaging slide show and differentiated resources are all included in this lesson pack.

View Lesson 7

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