History
"History isn't just about the past. It's about why we are who we are - and about what's next." Tony Robinson, TV presenter
History is made by people. It adds colour to the curriculum and at Gospel Oak we place great importance on making learning about the past (both in Britain and the wider world), fun. As well as developing their understanding of how the past influences the present, children learn to appreciate the diversity of human experience which can affect their own personal choices, attitudes and values. They learn to research, sift through evidence, reach their own conclusions and question the interpretations of others - skills necessary throughout life.
The key principles that guide our teaching of history are:
- Wide use of primary and secondary sources.
- Developing children's own skill of enquiry and interpretation.
- Using ICT to support and further their learning.
- Extensive use of visitors and out of school trips to engage and enthuse children in their learning and to fire their curiousity about the past.
With help from the Royal Archaeological Society in July 2008, we were able to visit a real archaeological dig. A group of year 5 and 6 children spent a day at Silchester Roman site experiencing at first hand how historians find out about the past.
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All year groups get opportunities to take part in workshops and drama activities.
Year 4 children visit Sutton House as part of their Tudor unit.
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Victorian childhood at the Ragged School. |
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Imperial War Museum - 'Children in WW2' |
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'Aztecs' at the British Museum |
Tudor guide at the Tower of London |
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Ancient Greece |
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Young Greeks |
Ancient Greeks (but young at heart) |
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Drama workshop on the trojan horse. |
Learning about Greek myths and legends. |
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