Anglo-Saxons and Vikings - Unit Assessment

The Year 5 history unit assessment is an engaging and educational examination of the knowledge students have acquired about the Anglo-Saxons and Vikings. The assessment, devised by Focus Education (UK) Ltd, is structured to test various aspects of historical understanding, including the identification of prominent Anglo-Saxon kings, such as King Alfred the Great, and significant archaeological finds like those at Sutton Hoo. Students are also quizzed on the origins of the Vikings, pinpointing Scandinavia as their homeland. The assessment not only covers factual recall but also encourages critical thinking about the impact of these cultures on Britain, including the introduction of farming improvements and new laws by the Anglo-Saxons and the Viking contribution to the English language.

Further into the assessment, students are invited to explore the chronology of events, distinguishing between the first Viking raids on British soil and other historical periods. They will identify the roles of Anglo-Saxon girls and the kingdoms that existed during that era, such as Mercia and East Anglia. The test also includes a question about the Battle of Hastings in 1066, prompting students to recall King Harold II's defeat by William the Conqueror. A true or false question challenges students to consider the sequence of the Anglo-Saxon and Viking eras. Disciplinary knowledge is assessed through analysis of artefacts from Sutton Hoo and an illustration of a Viking settlement, where students must deduce and articulate five points about each culture based on these resources. This comprehensive assessment offers a multifaceted approach to evaluating students' historical understanding and interpretive skills.