Intent
At Melton we have devised a humanities curriculum for Melton children. We make great use of the rich historical and geographical environment which is on our doorstep.
We have linked history and geography as they lend them selves to being led and planned together. These subjects help children understand the importance of research, gathering and interrogating evidence, and the impact of changes on people and places. The experiences we provide allow all children to develop good knowledge, new skills and a deep understanding in both subjects.
Through a practical, ‘hands on’ curriculum, we aim for every child to be an enthusiastic and interested learner.
Implementation
Humanities units are taught through a well-planned topic with a key text at its heart. Years 1/2, Years 3/4 and Years 5/6 study the same topic to give the children an opportunity to work collaboratively, allowing teachers to plan together to bring a wealth of knowledge and skills into the classroom. The class teachers refer to the National Curriculum to ensure appropriate coverage across the year groups. The progression of knowledge and skills in both History and Geography has been carefully considered and planned for. This enables teachers to build on the knowledge and skills gained in previous years, make meaningful links and extend and challenge children.
- The children are inspired by practical experiences leading towards exciting topic events where they have the opportunity to share and consolidate their learning with others.
- Planning is well devised to enable children to challenge their understanding and develop skills to answer questions based on the topic, providing a purpose to their learning.
- Children of Melton are given the tools and opportunities to extend their own learning in school and beyond.
- We believe very strongly that in order to become experts, the children need to be taught specific historical and geographical skills and given the opportunity to develop good understanding of the key questions.
Impact
- As part of the Year 1 and 2 topic of ‘My Melton’, children are learning to collect, analyse and communicate with a range of data gathered through experiences of fieldwork by walking around the local area, looking for key historical and geographical landmarks that they have mapped and displayed in school.
- Years 3 and 4 are reading ‘Stig of the Dump’ to enhance their topic of ‘What Lies Beneath’, which encompasses The Stone Age, Rocks and Fossils.
- Having studied which parts of the UK were targetted by German bombers during World War 2 and therefore experienced high levels of evacuation, Years 5 and 6 have had their own evacuee experience, travelling on a train with their gas masks to Campsea Ashe. Later this term, they will be travelling to Duxford to further enhance their understanding of World War 2.
