Humanities Overview

At St Augustine’s our aim within the teaching of Humanities is to engage the children through a skills based and knowledge-rich curriculum. Following the National Curriculum guidance, children are able to develop and consolidate their skills and knowledge by building on previous learning and revisiting certain areas of study throughout the year and across phases, which enables progressive and continuous learning opportunities.  Our Humanities teaching is focused through an enquiry based learning approach. Each unit of work is led by an enquiry question which tailors children’s learning and supports in development of key skills. Throughout the unit children will gain a range of knowledge and skills, children are then able to demonstrate and share their learning through answering the enquiry question asked.  Through this style of teaching we encourage children to explore the world around them and its history. Children are able to develop their enthusiasm and curiosity through the units and are supported in using their knowledge and skills to delve deeper into their learning and understanding. All of our teaching supports children in continually learning, revisiting and embedding to ensure progressive learning for all.or Kids

Mrs Bradford

History Co-ordinator

History Overview

Within History, we aim for pupils to gain a coherent knowledge and understanding of Britain’s past and that of the wider world. By inspiring the children through our chosen units of work, children are able to engage and show curiosity about the past. We encourage children to become historians and to develop their skills in chronology, interpretation of history, questioning, thinking critically, and evaluating sources. It is also encouraged that children are able to make links and evaluate the impact history has had on life today. Through our teaching of History children are supported in understanding the lives of others, the process and impact of change, the diversity of societies, as well as their own identity and changes within their lives. area. The purpose of this is for children to be aware of local history around them and understand the importance of where they come from.tory Quiz for Kids

Early Years

History in Early Years focuses on children looking at past and present events in their own lives and understanding similarities and differences to those they are familiar with. These aspects link with the specific area of learning, Understanding the World, People and Communities strand. Throughout Nursery and Reception children will begin to build foundations of understanding history through their communication and language skills, asking questions, recalling, retelling and using language and vocabulary related to time. They will also build relationships, showing understanding and empathy when discussing similarities and differences. Early maths skills also link to their understanding when counting, sequencing, classifying, grouping, ordering and creating patterns. We believe it is vital that before children are able to understand other people and events they need a good understanding of their own loves, routines and experiences, and be able to engage, interact and compare with others.

Key Stage 1

Children in Year 1 will start deepening their historical understanding with their first enquiry question ’What was life like when my grandparents were alive?’ This will allow children to make the transition from their Early Years learning to a time of period beyond their own understanding. As children deepen their chronological awareness they are then able to look at other aspects of history beyond their living memory with a focus on historical events and individuals. These include, the great fire of London, the Wright brothers and the monarchy.

Key Stage 2

As the children develop their understanding of historical events and individuals during Key Stage 1 the focus then moves to periods of history within the teachings of Key Stage 2. Children will begin to explore life within the period looking at physical characteristics and how society used their world, along with ideas and attitudes held. The use of sources are also key to teaching within Key Stage 2, children will use primary and secondary sources to support their judgements, discussing the aspect of reliability and give reasons to explain their views.

Subject Coverage

Whole School Events

As a school we take part in various events to allow for children to share in a common theme of learning. Each November all classes are given an enquiry question linked to Remembrance to deepen their understanding of what it means to remember, the importance of remembrance and impact of war. At the end of the week we come together as a school to celebrate and share our learning in a whole school liturgy. Another event we share is our local history week, where again, each class focuses their learning on an enquiry question linked to the history of our local area. The purpose of this is for children to be aware of local history around them and understand the importance of where they come from.Quiz for Kids

Useful Links

Here are some useful websites and apps your child might enjoying using to support them in their historical knowledge:

• https://www.natgeokids.com/uk/teacher-category/history/
• http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/forkids/
• https://www.historyforkids.net/
• Historical calendar
• Queen Beasts
• World History for Kids
• History Quiz for Kids