History

Extinction!

We introduce the children to understanding the flow of time using timelines and talk about the meaning of past, present and future and explore the meaning of 'prehistoric'. We use a range of sources and artefacts, like fossils, to understand how palaeontologists know that dinosaurs existed. We will study the life of Mary Anning, a significant individual from history and her fossil findings.

Memory Box

Memory Box has a focus on history within living memory. We continue to use timelines to understand more recent history, talking about how we have changed from when we were born to now and also since before we were born. We ask people who are older than us what their childhood was like and compare it to our own. We will compare this information to what things are like today.

During Memory Box, we focus on four main areas and how they have changed throughout history: schools, hospitals, transport and toys. We look at everyday objects and notice how they have changed as well as playing games and activities that children would have played in the past and what they like to do now. We learn about Florence Nightingale and her impact on how hospitals are run today.

Bright Lights, Big City

During Bright Lights, Big City, we explore significant changes in Birmingham and London including how people lived and compare what jobs people had in the past compared to today. The children learn about the significance of Cadbury and Bourneville and the importance of these industrial areas in Birmingham. We learn about the Gunpowder plot and its effect on London and study two significant individuals from this time period; King James I and Guy Fawkes.

The Great Fire of London

The children learn key dates and the importance of significant events in history and how they have shaped life today. We learn about the Great Fire of London in 1666 and begin to understand primary sources further by studying the diary of Samuel Peeps. We link our history learning to our science and understand the materials that buildings were made from in the past caused the widened spread of the fire. We learn how london was rebuilt after the great fire and changes that happened to ensure it was a safer place to live.

Stone Age to Iron Age

The children learn about the earliest period of human civilisation from the Stone Age to the Iron Age. They begin with learning about life as a Stone Age person including food, weapons, clothes and home life. We explore how life progressed in the Neolithic time period for early man and the changes that occurred between the Stone Age to the Bronze Age, then Iron Age. We compare life between these three time periods and understand how communities were built and where humans chose to settle and why. Children experience a Stone Age day, where they are submerged in Stone Age life. They use this knowledge to support their understanding of of further time periods, how farming changed, the development of tools and settlements. 

Ancient Greece

Ancient Greece is our first history project where children are introduced to 'ancient civilisations'. We use timelines to order main events of Ancient Greece and learn about the significance of AD and BC on a timeline. We learn about the culture of Ancient Greece and how it has influenced modern day, particularly democracy. The children will study the similarities and differences between Sparta and Athens and look at how advanced Sparta was that made it one of the safest cities to live in. We understand how universities, theatres and the Olympic Games were all introduced by the ancient Greeks and still thrive in the western world.

I am Warrior!

I am Warrior! focuses on our second study of an ancient civilisation, Ancient Rome, and the roman invasion of Britain. The children learn about why the romans wanted to invade Britain and how the roman empire grew. We develop our timeline knowledge further by focusing on the key dates and understand why the roman army was a feared force due to its weapons and advanced battle techniques. We compare the roman army to the Greek army that we have previously learnt about. We learn how the Romans culture and invention had a positive impact on Britain and how this has changed Britain today. We visit Chedworth Roman Villa to give us an insight into life in Roman Britain at a local site. Finally, we research Queen Boudicca, who led an uprising against the occupying forces of the Roman Empire and learn why the Romans eventually left Britain.

Ancient Egyptians

We continue to use timelines to compare events from Roman history, Greek history and Egyptian history. We will be learning what life was like during the Ancient Egyptians period. The children will understand why early Egyptian settlements are along the River Nile and why this river was vital for survival. 

We explore the belief systems of the ancient Egyptians and explore the role of pharaohs in their society. We look closely at mummification and investigate the significance of Howard Carter and Lord Carnarvon's discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb and what this teaches us about the Egyptians belief in the after life.

Invaders and Traders

We recap the reasons that the Romans left Britain and understand why the Anglo-Saxons were invited to farm the land and how their settlements developed. We look at how England's landscape impacted on their settlements and way of life and the gender-specific roles that people would have had and how this is different to roles people have today. We begin to understand the development of written language and education, studying the epic poem 'Beowulf'. We look at the roles of the different Anglo-Saxon rulers of kingdoms.

We are then introduced to the Vikings, fierce raiders who attacked Lindisfarne in 793AD. We study how the Vikings are different to the Anglo-Saxons and how Alfred the Great, united the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms and prevented the Vikings from taking over all of England by giving them their own land, 'Danelaw'. We study the downfall of Ethelred the Unready in 1002 and the significance of 'danegeld', how King Sweyn caused Ethelred to flee and how Britain finally came to be under the control of King Cnut in 1016. Leaving much of England to noblemen, we then study Edward the Confessor's reign in 1042 through to his death in 1066.  

Off with her Head

We will continue to use timelines to compare events from Anglo-Saxon history and Tudor history. We will be closely looking at the significance of Tudor rule and how this has impacted everyday life in Britain in the past and present, using artefacts and non-fiction texts. We focus on the element of crime and punishment in the Tudor times and how law and order has changed today.

We will research the importance of the Battle of Bosworth and look at the changes in monarchs throughout the Tudor era. We study Henry VIII’s reign over Britain in detail and the reformation of Christianity - moving away from Catholicism and the creation of the Church of England to enable divorce. We visit Warwick Castle to extend our knowledge the functional features and importance of castles in the past. 

Hola Mexico

In Year 5, the children will be learning about the ancient Mayan civilisation in 2600BC. They will study their culture, way of life and and beliefs and compare these to other ancient civilisations already taught. Children will study the physical and human features of the Mexican landscape and use this knowledge in History lessons to look in more detail at specific ancient monuments and buildings, including the temple at Chichen Itza. The children will research the traditions of Dia de los Muertos (the Day of the Dead) and how the beliefs of the ancient Maya have carried forward through history into modern day Mexican beliefs about their ancestors and the afterlife.

Revolution

We will extend our knowledge about how Britain has changed from the past to the present. In particular, we will look at the changes in Britain during the industrial revolution and how everyday life was affected during this period. We study how machinery and factories brought people into the cities and how they suddenly sprawled, leading to overcrowding and poor living conditions; understanding how cholera, dysentery and typhoid impacted on people's health and lifespan. We link back to our learning about Bourneville in Year 2, studying its industrial development through the Revolution era in more detail. 

We research the work of Thomas Barnardo and how he helped orphaned children through a study of 'Street Child' by Berlie Doherty. We study the reign of Queen Victoria and discuss her impact in Britain during her reign including the invention of Britain's first rail network. We consider whether the changes that occurred during the Industrial Revolution were positive or negative for British citizens. 

Child’s War

We explore the significant impact World War II had in Britain from 1st September 1939 to 2nd September 1945. In particular, we will be investigating the reasons for the war starting and the impact it had on children, home life, healthcare, education and population. We study the roles of the allies and axis and significant figures in leadership; Adolf Hitler and Winston Churchill.

We understand the experience of an evacuee and why evacuation was necessary to keep the children safe, studying the London Blitz and the bombing of Coventry and the impact on these two cities.

We study the changing role of women during the war including the Land Army, propaganda and the role of Bletchley Park and solving enigma codes through a biographical  study of Alan Turing. We study the holocaust and what Auschwitz was like, using primary sources and listening to recounts from survivors.

We study the impact of World War II on children through the study of texts such as 'Once' and 'Then' by Morris Gleitzman, 'Goodnight Mr Tom' by Michelle Magorian and 'The Boy in Striped Pajamas' by John Boyne.