Use downloadable spreads from a reference book to investigate the history of human interaction, says Ella Ford…

Humans have been finding ways to communicate for millennia, but primitive forms of communication may not be familiar to modern eyes and ears.

This UKS2 cross-curricular lesson plan, based around the Britannica All New Kids’ Encyclopedia, edited by Christopher Lloyd, enables children to explore the different ways humans have interacted with the world around them over time, and how symbols can tell compelling stories.

Pupils will also begin to form links with new and exciting ways of communicating – such as emojis – and consider their effect on how we relate to each other.

Curriculum links

• Explore the style of Stone Age cave art
• Learn how communication between humans has evolved through time
• Use a selection of cave paintings to plot out a story
• Draw comparisons between ancient and modern forms of communication

This download contains

• Complete PDF lesson plan
• Spreads from the Encyclopedia to use in the lesson
• ‘Art to Alphabet’ mind map

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