Were books any more valuable in the past?

Through this unit, children can be introduced to the idea that books were extremely valuable in the past, the status symbol of the day. They will learn about how books were made in the past and that stories have been around long before there were books to put them in. Children will also develop their chronological understanding and be able to make links between the past and the present status of books in society. There is a strong emphasis on children investigating issues and solving valid historical questions recognising the nature of the evidence on which their judgements and knowledge are based.

This unit is primarily a history unit and is not designed to deliver the English curriculum; nonetheless this approach will clearly complement literacy work being carried out in English and may provide an excellent companion. It is also designed to foster an appreciation of books and reading. 

Please note: While this unit contains resource suggestions, it is not a fully resourced scheme of work, and the resources it refers to may in some cases only be available to full members of the HA. The majority of the HA schemes of work were produced between 2014-2019 by members of the HA primary committee and its affiliates. These schemes of work are designed to support your planning and should be moulded and adapted to fit the context and needs of your own school.  To view a free sample scheme of work, please refer to our Anglo-Saxons unit. We regularly check the hyperlinks included in the schemes but unfortunately every now and again some links may go out of date. If you spot a broken link, please let us know on enquiries@history.org.uk.