History and Geography

The Humanities - History and Geography

The Humanities at Lynsted

At Lynsted and Norton Primary School, our aim is to connect every element of learning through critical thinking and enquiry. We believe the content of our humanities curriculum is rich in knowledge, skills and is sequenced logically to ensure all children are able to fully submerse themselves in their engaging lessons. We have used Cornerstones, a platform which allows our lessons to have tailored content and meaningful progression across the year groups. Our school values drive our curriculum and serve as a starting point to encourage our children to become critical thinkers and promotes ownership of learning.

History at Lynsted

It is our intention for children to immerse themselves in rich dialogue with the past and with traditions of historical enquiry. For them to understand the past and changing accounts of the past have shaped the identities of diverse people, groups and nations. Our children will learn how evidence for a claim can be constructed and the conditions under which valid claims can be made. They will also learn how argument and debate can be underpinned by shared principles of enquiry, and how this can drive and test new knowledge and insight about shared pasts.

To ensure our intent is transitioned into class-based learning, class teachers use our sequence of learning document, which outlines: topics to be covered, sticky knowledge, substantive knowledge, National Curriculum coverage, significant persons of study and key vocabulary.

Our enquiry-based approach uses the following key concepts:

Chronology
Cause
Consequence
Interpretation
Significance
Change and continuity.

Impact:

From using our KO grids, the children are able to draw on prior knowledge to enable them to make meaningful links with their current topic.

Presenting clear, chronological understanding of world history.

Thinking critically, using evidence, to present perspective.

Pupil Voice (February 2023)

Carried out by subject leader.

'Neil Armstrong was the first man on the moon' - Ducklings Class

'We have been learning facts about Astronauts' - Ducklings Class

'Life was very different in WWI compared to now, women's jobs were very different due to the war effort' - Foxes Class.

'I have enjoyed learning key terms about WWI' - Foxes Class

Geography at Lynsted & Norton school

Intent

At Lynsted, we want our children to develop a rich understanding of the world they live in and develop their geographical skills in different contexts. We aim to link our learning in Geography to the rest of the curriculum so that the children can see clear links between different aspects of their learning. As the children grow older, we aim for their world, and knowledge of the world, to get bigger with them. We use Cornerstones as the basis for our lessons which allows them to follow a clear progression throughout the school, encouraging a creative, engaging approach to learning which excites and sustains children's interest.

We aim for Geography lessons to build on children's previous learning, encourage curiosity and exploration about human and physical geography so that children build up their understanding of the world they live in and how other people live.

Links with our values:

Ambition – We want our children to become confident in their geographical knowledge of the world as well as the local community through exciting, ambitious lessons.

Self-confidence – Children will become more confident in their understanding of the world around them as well as in their geographical skills which they will be able to apply across the curriculum and within real life contexts.

Perseverance – Skills will be developed and built upon as children progress through the school to allow them to have a range of opportunities to apply what they have learnt.

Independence – Teaching and activities will allow for children of all ages to apply the skills and knowledge they have learnt, building up skills of independence throughout their school journey.

Respect – Learning will reflect different cultures and lifestyles which children will learn to respect and value.

Enquiry – Fieldwork as well as enquiry-based classroom lessons will foster children’s enquiry skills.

Implementation:

Early Years

Within the Early Years Foundation Stage, geography is included as part of Understanding the World. The children learn to investigate similarities and differences, the local environment and cultures and beliefs, fostering the skills essential to developing historical understanding. This is set out in the early year’s curriculum as children needing to:

observe, find out about, and identify features in the place they live and the natural world;
Begin to know about their own cultures and beliefs and those of other people;
Find out about their environment, and talk about those features they like and dislike.

Key Stage 1

During Key Stage 1, pupils investigate their local area and a contrasting area in the United Kingdom or abroad, finding out about the environment in both areas and the people who live there. They also begin to learn about the wider world. They carry out geographical enquiry inside and outside the classroom. In doing this, they ask geographical questions about people, places and environments, and use geographical skills and resources, such as maps and photographs.

Key Stage 2

During Key Stage 2, pupils investigate a variety of people, places and environments in the United Kingdom and abroad, and start to make links between different places in the world. They find out how people affect the environment and how they are affected by it. Pupils carry out geographical enquiry inside and outside the classroom. In doing this, they ask geographical questions, and use geographical skills and resources, such as maps, atlases, aerial photographs and ICT. Children will develop geographical enquiry skills, including asking geographical questions, collecting and recording information and identifying different views. They will acquire the appropriate practical skills associated with Geography, including using suitable vocabulary, fieldwork techniques and maps, plans and atlases. Pupils will use secondary sources of information with accuracy, including aerial photographs, satellite images, etc. As well as making its own distinctive contribution to the school curriculum, geography contributes to the wider aims of primary education. Teachers will ensure that links between subjects are maximized, including history, science and computing.

Impact:

Children are being exposed to an opportunity-rich and diverse curriculum. Children are confident drawing upon prior knowldge and building on this in their current 'topic'. Children talk passionately about their learning and recall exciting moments for them.

Identfying natural resources and understanding how they are used by natives.