Head of the Commonwealth
I can describe how Elizabeth II was Head of the Commonwealth.
Head of the Commonwealth
I can describe how Elizabeth II was Head of the Commonwealth.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Elizabeth II was not just Queen of the United Kingdom, but also Head of the Commonwealth.
- When Elizabeth became Queen, Britain still ruled some countries around the world that were part of the British Empire.
- As these countries won the right to rule themselves and left the empire, they often joined the Commonwealth of Nations.
- Elizabeth spent a lot of time visiting these countries, going to 28 of them.
- 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 you plan your year 1 history lesson on: Head of the Commonwealth, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 1 history lesson on: Head of the Commonwealth, 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 1 history lessons from the Elizabeth II: what was her life like? unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Licence
Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions


