The Great Fire of London — Year 2 Lesson Plan
National Curriculum: History KS1 — events beyond living memory that are significant nationally or globally
Overview
Pupils investigate the Great Fire of London of 1666: how it started, why it spread so rapidly, its impact on the city, and how London was rebuilt. They use primary and secondary sources including Samuel Pepys' diary to develop historical enquiry skills and chronological understanding.
Learning Objectives
- Describe where, when, and how the Great Fire of London started.
- Explain why the fire spread so quickly through the city.
- Describe the impact of the fire on London's people and buildings.
- Use historical sources, including Pepys' diary, to find out about the past.
Key Vocabulary
Suggested Lesson Structure
Show a map of London in 1666 and today. Ask: what do you notice? What looks different? Establish that London has changed dramatically over hundreds of years.
Tell the story: 2 September 1666, a baker's shop on Pudding Lane. Explain why it spread — wooden buildings close together, dry summer, strong winds, lack of effective firefighting equipment. Show the extent of the fire on a map — 13,000 houses, 87 churches including St Paul's Cathedral. Introduce Samuel Pepys: a diarist who wrote about what he saw. Read a short adapted extract. Discuss what happened after: fire breaks were created, brick buildings replaced wooden ones, Sir Christopher Wren designed the new St Paul's.
Pupils sequence a set of event cards in chronological order: fire starts → spreads through night → King orders houses pulled down → fire finally stopped → rebuilding begins. Discuss: why did it take so long to stop?
Pupils write a short first-person diary entry as if they witnessed the fire, using at least three historical vocabulary words. Share with a partner — identify any historical details used.
Discuss: what changed in London as a result of the Great Fire? Was the rebuilding of London a good outcome from a terrible event? Why? Pupils identify one cause and one consequence.
Common Misconceptions
- Many pupils think the fire was deliberately started — it is believed to have been an accident at a bakery.
- Pupils may think all of London burned — the fire destroyed a large area but the city extended well beyond it.
Prior Knowledge
Pupils should already be able to:
- Basic sense of chronology — that 1666 is a long time ago.
- Understanding that sources help us find out about the past.
- Familiarity with the idea of significant historical events.
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