Highfield St Matthew's C of E Primary School

What is History?

History is all about people. The study of people of different types from different times and different places is the most important aspect of our work. History fires pupils’ curiosity about the past in Britain and the wider world. Pupils consider how the past influences the present, what past societies were like, how these societies organised their politics, and what beliefs and cultures influenced people’s actions. As they do this, pupils develop a chronological framework for their knowledge of significant events and people. They see the diversity of human experience, and understand more about themselves as individuals and members of society. What they learn can influence their decisions about personal choices, attitudes and values. In history, pupils find evidence, weigh it up and reach their own conclusions. To do this, they need to be able to research, sift through evidence, and argue for their point of view – skills that are highly prized in adult life.

This year, we have introduced our new 'Shine Curriculum' which aims to inspire our children and develop their history skills. Children will receive knowledge organisers highlighting any key vocabulary and the content covered throughout the topic..

This term, we will be learning:

Year 1	Great Fire of London
Year 2	Kings, Queens and Leaders
Year 3	Bronze Age to Iron Age
Year 4	The Romans in Britain
Year 5	The Maya
Year 6	Inventors

Spring Term

Year 2 are learning about Kings, Queens and Leaders. We have learned about the reign of our current monarch Queen Elizabeth II.

The children are fascinated that she has two birthdays and that she is the longest reigning monarch in the world!

Year 3 Unlocking Task

Year 3 have started their new topic Bronze Age to Iron Age. At the start of the lesson, they have created a mind map demonstrating all their knowledge from their last topic about the Romans and have listed different Roman inventions. Their previous knowledge of the Romans will help them when learning all about Bronze and Iron Age inventions.

Year 3 - Bronze Age to Iron Age

LO: I understand what a settlement is.

Year 3 have been learning all about settlements. At the start of the lesson, they have drawn what they think a settlement is and at the end of the lesson redrawn a map of a Bronze Age settlement including roundhouses, sheep and fields for farming. Look at the difference between the start and end of the lesson!

Please find below the knowledge organisers for this term.

Download Document

Autumn History work

Year 1 History Unlocking Task

How has transport changed?

A part of our Unlocking Task for History, the children went outside to conduct a travel survey! Some of the children brought in some information from home after conducting their own research!

Why do we celebrate Bonfire Night?

This is Year 2's unlocking task to start our History topic with a bang!

We can't wait to find out what will happen when we add the final ingredient!

STAND BACK MRS SAUNDERS

Would you like to try this at home? Go to the Year 2 page to find the instructions!

Year 2 history detectives. We used a range of sources to find evidence to prove the statements about The Gunpowder Plot.

Year 4

How have railways changed over time?

For our unlocking task we made a video of Pemberton Station, looking at new and old features. We also compared the similarities and differences between modern trains and steam locomotives.

During our third lesson in History, we were exploring various steam locomotives as a group. We were given a specific locomotive and as a group we had to research, illustrate and write about the locomotive in order to persuade others that our locomotive was the best. We explored The Mallard, The Star Express, The Rocket and The Flying Scotsman

History in Year 5 - unlocking task - "What do we know about prehistoric people?"

This is the dilemma we found ourselves in...