Teaching Caxton and Bell at KS1

Spreading the Word: Caxton and Bell. How two men changed the way we communicate

The famous people element of the KS1 history curriculum now requires pupils to compare achievements of individuals within a linked theme-in this case communication. In this instance we have chosen Caxton and Bell, rather than Berners-Lee as mentioned in the NC advice. There is also the option of adding Braille, too. But we have chosen Caxton and Bell as their impact is easy for pupils to understand and their lives are full of vivid episodes that young children can really understand.

These two famous people are linked together as part of a theme called Spreading the Word. Instead of each person having the usual 6 key questions, they have each been reduced to just three or four  to make it more manageable as a single topic .

The idea is that the topic addresses similar questions and approaches for the two men so that pupils can genuinely make comparisons both across time and with the present. Looking at change over time is a key concept for Y2 pupils.