Beautiful Work – History

Project Overview

Year 6 - World War 2 @ Eden Camp

When we introduced to the children that we were learning about World War 2, they were so excited. The children had such a thirst for this topic and it was amazing to see how much prior knowledge they already had. We first discussed what we knew about the war and how it impacted on daily life. The children had many family members who were alive or part of World War 2 and had lots of interesting stories to share. We then looked at a world map and discussed "The Allies and Axis". The children then coloured a labelled a map to show the different countries involved. It was so interesting to look at the different countries and what made them want to join the side that they did. We also looked at the Prime Ministers at the time and their impact on the war. We listened to many radio clippings of war being declared and discussed what it must of felt like being there at that time. The children then went onto looking at evacuation and the process the children went through. As a class, we discussed the posters that were around at the time displaying how important it was to send children away. We role played leaving our parents and going to stay with strangers miles away from home. Throughout the half term, we also looked at The Blitz. The children created some lovely pieces of art work to accompany this. To finish the topic off, we took the children to Eden Camp and they absolutely loved it! The children were so enthralled in the museum and learnt so much extra knowledge about the war. 

Project Overview

Year 1 History - Ourselves 

Year 1 have really enjoyed learning about ‘Ourselves’ in history this half term. We have looked at pictures of ourselves as babies, toddles, and now, and discussed the differences and changes we have noticed as we have grown up. We have learned the concept of ‘the past’ and we know that things in the past have already happened. We have thought about things that we did in the past (as babies and toddlers) and compared them with the things that we can do now. We also spent some time looking through catalogues at different toys and discussed what sorts of toys we might have played with in the past, and how they are different to the toys we play with now. Finally, we used a timeline to sequence pictures of ourselves from the past to now and matched up toys that we might have played with at each stage in our lives.

Project Overview

Year 5 - The Maya

This half term, we have been studying The Maya. There have been many opportunities for cross-curricular learning and the children have enjoyed reading a variety of texts related to the topic too.

We started our topic by learning how to make traditional Mayan Hot Chocolate. The bitter, earthy taste certainly wasn't to everyone's taste but the experience was enjoyable! The children then learned about an ancient game called Pok a Tok. They spent time outside setting up their courts and trying to play this game. Despite the difficult rules, they did really well and were all very enthusiastic. We then became archaeologists and took it turns extracting Mayan poo. The children had great fun working out what different foods they used to eat from this!

In writing, we have focused on the Maya and the children have produced some wonderful pieces including instructions, a fact file, and an explanation text. Through cross-curricular opportunities like these, the children have consolidated learning and made good links in their knowledge.

Project Overview

Crime and Punishment

In history this half term, we have looked at crime and punishment through the ages.

Throughout the year we have noticed the children have a real interest in history and gore, with a love for our Macbeth topic and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Working with this, the post-1066 thematic unit has been an exciting topic for them to really sink their teeth into and they have absolutely loved it. By providing pupils with a broad chronological sweep of nearly a thousand years of British history, it makes a significant contribution to pupils’ grasp of the long arc of time and helps place history on a timeline amongst other key events.

The topic has focused on the key stories about criminals and how fairly they were dealt with throughout history, giving children the chance to use a range of primary and secondary sources to learn. We have looked at: Saxon crime and punishment; Medieval torture and how they ran their towns and cities; the story of Robin Hood and how he glorified being a villain; and how the introduction of the death sentence changed crime and punishment in 17th century Britain.  Within each lesson, the objective has been to open up informed debate, relating issues to the present day wherever possible and supporting children in creating an informed opinion using facts and evidence. In this way, the topic also makes a major contribution to pupils’ citizenship education.

Project Overview

In Year 2, this term, we have had a wonderful time learning all about the Great Fire of London and we know the children have also been teaching their adults at home all about it too! The children have learned about this significant event in British history in many different ways and are now able to recall all the important details. These include:

• Creating a 'mini London' to show how it looked before the fire
• Working with a film maker to produce, write and direct their own film 
• Putting together a defence case for the different people who were blamed for starting the fire for a trial in a mock court 
• Writing statements which may have been said by eye witnesses
• Writing a diary entry recounting the first 2 days of the fire
• Redesigning London after the fire in small groups
• Researching about fire fighters and how these have changed over the years
• 2CJ really impressed when they put on a play for KS1 and their parents which retold the events of The Great Fire of London. 

Throughout this topic, the children have been considering how trade informed how people lived in London. They considered the importance of the River Thames, how the fire affected trade and the need to rebuild London as quickly as possible to ensure livelihoods were restored.

Project Overview

Anglo Saxons

In year 4, we have been learning all about the Anglo Saxons. The children previously learned about the Romans so now we have learnt about what happened after the Roman Empire ended in Britain.

We have considered why the Anglo Saxons travelled over to Britain and discussed the pros and cons. The children also produced maps which showed the countries that the original tribes came from and where each of them settled. 

The children have built their own Anglo Saxon houses using natural materials as that is all that would have been available. They have taken part in an archaeological dig to find artefacts which provided them with deeper insight into who the Anglo Saxons were. We have made our own jewellery and taken part in an Anglo Saxon market where we learnt all about the importance of trade and the type of items that were traded at the time.

Project Overview

Roman Britain

Throughout the Summer term, year 3 have been learning about Roman Britain. So far, being able to focus on Roman Britain has allowed us to imagine how and why we live as we do today. The children have been on a journey from Italia to Britannia. They created maps of the Roman Empire and watched as it expanded across Europe and North Africa. The children then met the different emperors and their armies who attempted to conquer our land now known as England. From here, they learned about Boudicca and her attempts to override the Roman army. As they continue into the Summer term, the children will begin to look at what life was life was like for the people living in Roman Britain and how these changes influence our life today. 

Project Overview

World War II

We have dedicated the whole term (September - December) to our history topic on World War II. The children have learnt all about who was involved in the war, both abroad and at home, and have studied the impact of the war on Leeds as well as those people who supported Britain's war effort from the British Empire. We were lucky enough to have a Zoom call with David, a man who was a young boy living in London during the Blitz. The children loved asking him questions and gained a unique insight into the war from a child's perspective after talking to him.

As well as studying the war in our history lessons, the children also enjoyed writing about the war using Letters from the Lighthouse by Emma Carroll, The Journey by Francesca Sanna and The Sound of Music film for inspiration.

Project Overview

Anglo Saxons and Vikings 

This half term we have been looking at the Anglo Saxons and Vikings. The children have been looking at where they came from, how they invaded, what they brought with them and how they have impacted life today. 

The children have carried out many investigations and learnt various aspects of this valuable period of history.