History & Geography
Our Topic-Led Learning
At Featherbank Primary School, children are taught the subjects of History and Geography through a cross-curricular topic based approach, with a particular focus on either History or Geography in each term, but also bringing in all other aspects of our broad and balanced curriculum.
Therefore, a topic programme of study on, for example, Vikings, will explore the Geography of Viking homelands and key landscape features of their settlements, the History of the Viking people in their exploration and invasion of Britain, Viking Art studies and investigations, Viking Topic-led Writing, GPS & Literacy skills (eg: writing a kenning poem, recounting a battle, a persuasive letter written by monks requesting aid after a Viking invasion, a new Viking legend, a factfile on a Viking god or goddess), Viking-led Drama performances, Viking PSHE debates on whether invading or settling could be morally justified, Viking DT lessons crafting shields, Hnefatafl chess sets and coin pouches) ... and more and more and more.
Topic-led learning has changed our approach to learning and has made it massively more engaging, deep and immersive. The children have really connected to their learning in a life-long way and have built amazing memories of school that they will treasure.
In terms of the individual skills, we view History not only as simple facts and dates but encourage pupils to become detectives who explore the past in an exciting way. We want our children to understand how people have lived in the past and compare this to modern life, generating an understanding of chronology and the impact that historical events have on modern society.
Geography lessons are skill-based, challenging, motivating, topical and fun. In our diverse society children need, more than ever before, to understand other people and cultures. At Featherbank we believe that geographical knowledge, concepts and skills are essential components of a broad and balanced curriculum. Geography makes a major contribution to children's physical, intellectual, social and emotional development.
In all areas of topic work we encourage first hand experiences. This is achieved through handling real artefacts and wherever possible arranging field work visits to relevant sites of historical and geographical interest (e.g. Leeds Museum, Kirkstall Abbey and Armley Mills) in the region or bringing in specialists for in-school workshops.
THIS YEAR'S TOPIC BASED LEARNING:
TOPIC BASED LEARNING FOR 2020/2021
LAST YEAR'S LEARNING:
TOPIC - BASED LEARNING IN 2019-20 :
TOPIC-BASED LEARNING IN 2018 - 19 :
Humanities in the Summer term
Humanities in the Spring Term
Step into the worlds of....
See how our classrooms immerse us into the worlds of Winter, Storytelling, Space, The Romans, The Tudors, The Victorians and World War II.
Humanities for the new year
Topic work is already well underway - step into the worlds of....
Visits and visitors...
Humanities during the summer term (2018)
Topics for the summer term
Year 1 Then and Now (Year1 and the time machine)
Year 2 The seaside and Tocuaro
Year 3 The Rainforest (I'm a Featherbanker, get me out of here!)
Year 4 The World Cup (World at your feet)
Year 5 The Vikings
Year 6 The Americas (American road trip)
Our topic work for the Spring term is well underway. Can you work out the themes for each class?
Year 1
The sky's the limit!
(Weather)
Year 2
Around The World In Eighty Days
(Volcanoes & Fire)
Year 3
The Empire Strikes (back)
(Romans)
Year 4
A Night At The Museum
(The Stone-age)
Year 5
Vive La France
(The French Revolution)
Year 6
We Are At War!
(WWII)
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June 2017
It has been a good year developing our cross-curricular learning in Geography across our school. We have been exploring more, learning more and making Geography a stronger and more-exciting subject. In our lessons, we have been exploring the world, writing and drawing about what life is like all over the planet.
Speaking to the children across the school, they are really inspired by seeing pictures and watching videos about life in different environments across the globe, from the hot and busy streets of Brazil to the frozen north of Viking Scandinavia. They are interested in using IT and computing to help them in their learning (eg: Google Earth quizzes and challenges). They like the idea of more trips - Tropical World was a big hit, apparently! The also love going to see animals such as farm trips and exploring the countryside.
Here are some samples of the children's work so that you can see the kind of things that we have been up to!
I hope that you will help to cheer the children on and inspire them in their Topic-based learning!
Many thanks and best wishes,
Mr Prowse, Geography Leader, June 2017.
The Geography curriculum at Featherbank aims to:
Provide inspiring practical enquiries and investigations that give children first-hand information and direct experiences of the real world.
Engage children in studies of the locality (Horsforth) which help them to develop their sense of identity, to locate themselves in their surroundings and find their way from one place to another.
Give children the opportunity to take part in case studies (including a residential field trip in KS2) of other UK regions e.g. Bridlington, the Yorkshire Dales and European and International countries e.g. France, Brazil,
Utilise a great variety of visual devices including photographs, charts and diagrams to communicate findings in non-verbal ways.
Provide opportunities for children to debate local and global issues, appreciate uncertainties and propose solutions to problems involving human and physical geography e.g. sustainable development, global warming, climate change and natural disasters.
Engage children in ICT, allowing them to record and interpret the world in new ways.
Help children to recognise that we are all interdependent global citizens with a responsibility to the planet and to each other.
Provide critical and creative thinking skills and long term learning across the curriculum.