Year 1 - History
Robert the Bruce and the spider
Ireland, Scotland and England
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
This unit helps students understand the distant past, where customs, appearances, and practices differed greatly from today. It introduces key figures from British history and shares classic stories that have been retold through generations, becoming part of community heritage.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to retell the legend of Robert the Bruce and the spider.
Key Notes
- One of the most famous legends told about Robert the Bruce is the story of him and a spider.
- While Robert was hiding from the English, it was said that he sheltered from the Scottish winter in a cave.
- In this cave, Robert watched a spider again and again try to spin its web; every time it fell it tried again.
- This made Robert realise that he had to keep trying against the English.
- Inspired by the spider, Robert returned to Scotland and eventually forced the English out of his homeland.
Vocabulary To Learn
- legend: a legend is a story that has been retold again and again over time, but cannot be proven true or untrue
- persevere: if you persevere, you keep trying when something is difficult
- moral: the moral of a story is the meaning, message or something you can learn from the story
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- That legends are true.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Summarise this historical learning in two key ideas.
One of the most famous legends told about Robert the Bruce is the story of him and a spider. While Robert was hiding from the English, it was said that he sheltered from the Scottish winter in a cave.
2. Define this history term and explain why it matters in this topic. 'legend'
a legend is a story that has been retold again and again over time, but cannot be proven true or untrue.
3. Correct this common history misconception using evidence language.
Mistake: That legends are true. Correction: Ensure children understand that legends are stories that are often told verbally and may change over time. Play a game to demonstrate this; children sit in a circle and pass a message around by whispering to each other. Does the messgae change?
More Lessons In This Unit
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