What were the impacts of the Transatlantic Slave Trade?
Year 6
Unit Overview
In this unit of work, your child will delve into contemporary Africa and the ancient empires that flourished on the continent over millennia. They'll uncover the roots of the transatlantic slave trade dating back to the 15th century and Britain's involvement, notably during the era of Elizabeth I, when John Hawkins pioneered British involvement in slave trading. Your child will grasp the mechanics of the transatlantic slave trade and its profound impact on those enslaved. They'll also discern how Britain reaped economic benefits from the trade, exploring the causes and aftermath of slavery's abolition in the 19th century, the global African diaspora, and Europe's colonization of Africa. The program will illuminate the experiences and contributions of Black individuals in 20th century Britain, from the landmark Race Relations Act of 1965 to the contemporary safeguards against racism and discrimination provided by the Equality Act 2010. Moreover, your child will be inspired by the achievements of Black Britons and celebrate the vibrant Black culture thriving in Britain today.
Unit Sequence: Learning Intentions
To describe the human geography of Africa (geography).
To learn about an ancient society (history).
To understand motives of leaders and monarchs (history).
To understand Britain's role in the slave trade (history).
To describe the Triangular Slave Trade (history).
To evaluate the impact of slavery on humans (history).
To understand what life was like on a Caribbean plantation (history).
The Abolition of slavery (history)
Life after abolition and colonisation of Africa (history)
❇ SUBSTANTIVE CONCEPTS
Power (monarchy, government and empire)
Migration
Trade
Achievements and follies of mankind
❇ DISCIPLINARY CONCEPTS
Change and continuity
Sources of evidence
Historical interpretations
Cause and consequence
Historical significance
❇ HISTORICAL VOCABULARY
abolish
chattel
colonisation
diaspora
discrimination
emancipation
enslavement
indigenous
maafa
rebellion
resistance
slavery
❇ MEMORABLE MOMENT
Children will be given time to work in groups to discover more about life in Africa today. They will use a range of resources to research this fascinating topic.
The children will have an opportunity to perform role play and be immersed in the experience of what it was like as a slave. This will then be reflected in our class assembly to showcase what the children learnt.
️✏️ WRITING OPPORTUNITIES
Throughout this unit of work we will be writing a narrative inspired by Henry's Freedom Box by Ellen Levine and The Journey by Francesca Sanna
🌳 LEARNING OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM
In this unit of work we will imagine what it would be like to travel along the 'underground railroad' to help slaves escape!
🏁 BIG FINISH
Children will use all of their knowledge accumulated over the unit to go head to head with their classmates in an exciting quiz 'All about the Slave Trade'. Who will be the winner of this fact based quiz?
📖 FOCUS TEXT(S)
The class will be reading Henry's Freedom Box by Ellen Levine