What is my child taught?

In History lessons children will be learning about a variety of topics and will develop the following skills:

• An awareness of time and to use words and phrases relating to the passing of time
• Using their knowledge of people and events to put into chronological order
• An understanding about why people did things and why events happened
• Using different sources of information to find out about the past
• Ask and answer questions about the past

These skills will be developed through a range of topics throughout their time at the school.

Reception

Children in Reception develop an awareness of the passing of time by thinking about themselves, how they have changed over time and their own family timelines. They are encouraged to think about the similarities and differences between themselves and their family members, which helps them to use common words and phrases relating to the passing of time. We take a trip to Wardown Park Museum to learn about toys and household objects from the past. This trip supports the children to learn that there are similarities and differences between the past and present. During our People Who Help Us topic we explore how the jobs of Police Officers and Nurses have changed throughout History. 

Year 1

In Year 1 the learning from Reception is built upon as the children think about their own History and their school experience so far. They explore the History of our own school and how life in school might be different for them than it was for their parents and grandparents. The children then progress to learn about the history of transportation. They also learn about local history through Luton’s role in car manufacturing. Local history remains a focus as the children are taught about other things that Luton is famous for. In the summer term the children move on to learn about Kings and Queens of the past, with a cross curricular link to plants as they explore our new Kings love of gardening. They learn about the ever changing monarchy and make comparisons between royal events of today and those of the past.  

Year 2

Autumn

Children begin the year thinking about the lives of significant individuals from the past who have contributed to national and international achievements in the topic of Nurses. They learn about the lives of Florence Nightingale and Mary Seacole and the impact that they had of the profession of nursing.

Spring

During the Spring Term children learn about The Great Fire of London. Children learn some of the ways in which we find out about the past and identify different ways in which it is represented, e.g. through pictures, a diary, newspaper reports. The children enjoy learning about The Great Fire of London and many children are able to ask and answer questions, choosing and using parts of the story and other sources to show that they know and understand key features of this event. Children also learn about Roald Dahl during the Spring Term. They learn about the main events in Roald Dahl’s life and how they fit within a chronological framework. Children are given the opportunity to go on a trip to the Roald Dahl Museum.

Summer

In the Summer Term children learn about the Seaside; discussing different historical sources, e.g. photos, newspapers, brochures that show people enjoying themselves at the seaside in the past and comparing them to the present. This enables children to learn about the changes within living memory and understand some of the ways in which we find out about the past and identify different ways in which it is represented.

What can I do to help my child?

You can help by talking to your child about the topics they are learning about at school. Encourage your child to research topics using the internet and reading books. We encourage you to visit museums with your children. Most museums are free and looking at artefacts enriches children’s learning about the past.

Click on the link below to take you to a variety of different websites which will provide additional resources to support your child in their learning