History
Intent
At Churchdown Village Infant School, we aim to provide a history curriculum that sparks curiosity, develops key knowledge and inspires children. Children will gain an understanding of what history means and why it is important to learn about the past.
Children will be able to recall facts about people and events and use key vocabulary with confidence. The children will develop chronological understanding by looking at timelines of events and talking about past and present events in their own lives. They will also think about the similarities and differences between the past and present.
The children get a glimpse into the past and draw simple conclusions by looking at historical evidence and sources such as books, videos, photographs, pictures and artefacts as well as gaining an insight from people who are older than them. Through enriching experiences such as workshops and local studies, children can have first-hand experiences of the past.
History in the Early Years
In Reception, as part of “Understanding the World”, the children will focus on their own memories as a child. They will talk about the lives of people around them and their roles in society. The children will learn some similarities and differences between things in the past and present drawing on their own experiences. They will also learn about the past through sharing stories. The children will consolidate their learning by completing play-based activities for example making crowns like King Charles’ or doing a family portrait.
History in Key Stage 1
In year 1 and 2 the history curriculum ensures children are taught about changes within living memory and beyond living memory including how toys have changed over time and what their local area was like in the past. The children are taught about many influential significant individuals including engineers, explorers, and activists. We encourage children to ask questions during their learning so we can give them a personalised learning experience. We are committed to ensuring children understand the concept of cause and consequence recognising what these individuals did and how they changed the world. We hope the children will aspire to be like them!
The children develop their understanding of chronology, continuity and change, cause and consequence, similarity and difference and significance throughout these units of learning.
The National Curriculum
Our History curriculum is based on the National Curriculum. We have carefully mapped the history curriculum so that it is progressive and children build upon their learning. Unit guides support teaching with core knowledge, disciplinary knowledge and vocabulary clearly defined.
Enrichment
Throughout the year the children get a broad range of experiences beyond their normal lessons which support them to explore, ask questions, make connections and better understand the world.
Toys workshop - Changes in Living Memory
Suffragette Workshop
Great Fire of London Workshop
What our children say
Children at Churchdown love their History lessons:
“History helps me learn about people in the past” (Year 1)
“History is looking at the past and talking about significant people and events” (Year 1)
“I loved learning about the Great Fire of London” (Year 2)
Supporting your child at home
Explore the history of the local area
Churchdown Village is full of history! Take a walk to explore houses from different decades and significant places in the area such as churches and monuments.
Share your family history
Understanding chronology can begin with learning about family history. Share memories of the people and places in your childhood and those of grandparents. Share photographs with them from the past and talk about the differences between then and now.
Commemorate important historical events
Make your child aware of historical events such as Remembrance Day. Discuss why they are important and think of ways you can commemorate them together. Watch the news together and explain what is happening and why.
Supporting vocabulary
To help children talk about history, spend time exploring vocabulary. Support children to use past, present, now, yesterday, a long time ago, decade, century when talking about family history and changes within living memory.
Reading non-fiction historical books linked to our curriculum
Children learn about significant individuals and events through our curriculum. Try learning about other explorers, activists and engineers throughout history such as Ernest Shackleton, Martin Luther King, Emily Davison, Amelia Earhart and, discussing why they were significant. Read books to support knowledge acquisition of significant events such as the Great Fire of London.
Books supporting our History Curriculum
Curriculum Documents
Discover more about our History Curriculum at Churchdown Village Infant School from the documents links below: