As Mrs Rice mentioned in the last newsletter, we have had several subject 'Elevation Group' meetings. The first of these meetings looked at what the children thought of their learning in History.
At Deanshanger Primary, the children have access to a wide and broad history curriculum through their year group IPC (International History Curriculum) units, various whole school learning events (assemblies and celebration events), displays and events through the village community(Deanshanger Heritage Society). We are lucky enough to have a permanent display in our school library that is maintained by the Heritage Society. For example, the current display is looking at leisure activities throughout the years in Deanshanger.
As a group, we looked at each year group at a time, starting with Year One. Initially, the children shared their 'History' learning in their books, sharing what they thought history learning was. It was incredible to hear about the children's experiences of their learning - looking at transport from the past, the lives of Florence Nightingale and Mary Seacole, Stone Age settlers, the Anglo-Saxons, Roman invasion of Britain, World War 2 and the Maya civilisation to name but a few...
For the second part of the meeting, we looked at a random range of historical artefacts. For example, a bed warmer, lantern, original computer from the 1970s, doll, photographs of Victorian schooling and a Viking longboat model. The children were invited to talk about each artefact and think about how it was used. They were also asked to put the objects in chronological order - a bit like the 'Antiques Roadshow'. It was quite interesting to hear that many children thought the bed warmer was in fact a pizza oven!
For us, this gave us a very good insight into the children's historical understanding of what they have been learning in lessons and concepts like chronology. There were many positives but, as always, things we need to work on a little bit more. In this instance, historical vocabulary. Encouraging the children to use words to explain their learning like AD, archaeology, artefact, BC, century, conquest, invade, democracy, discovery, empire, explorer, global...
As always please encourage your child with their history learning at home. This does not have to be through a school set history assignment. It could be through a magazine, computer programme, book, TV programme or film, family quiz or a visit to historical sites of interest. This week I was impressed with a conversation I was having with a child about their visit last weekend to Kenilworth Castle and Elizabethan Garden. It was amazing to hear the history learning...
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