History and Geography at St. Amand's
History encourages all learners to discover the truth of the past and to have a deep understanding of the present, which in turn will enable them to make informed and wise decisions for creating a better future. History helps students find their place in the story of humankind. Students are helped to develop critical thinking skills as they delve into the rich variety of available sources. Learning to analyse and critique information and data encourages the ability to discern facts and reach conclusions, matching evidence with truth. Learning from the past helps to facilitate a better future for the common good of all God’s people.
Geography enables all learners to experience the beauty, awe and wonder of God’s world and to develop an awareness of their place in it. All places and spaces have a history behind them shaped by humans, location, climate, and politics. Geography gives us a spatial awareness of the globe and serves to form respectful attitudes that serve to remind students that we are stewards and not masters of creation.
Theological influences help to shape the cosmological understandings of the world as we recognize that we are a global community with a global interdependence, accountability, and responsibility for the common good of all people. Our Stewardship must reflect our understanding that the planet is our irreplaceable home.
How is the History and Geography Curriculum delivered? (Implementation)
What difference are the History and Geography Curriculums making? (Impact)
How to Help Your Child at Home
History
Talking about past events is key to the development of history in young children. We are extremely lucky to have a small museum (https://www.hendredmuseum.org.uk/ ) and their website is full of interesting facts and photographs. As part of our wider and neighbouring counties we are lucky to have access to historical places of interest, many of which coincide with our history curriculum – Uffington White Horse Hill, Avebury and Didcot Railway Centre.
Geography
We live in and around geography - from the streets we walk to the weather we endure - so supporting your child’s geography may not be as daunting as you may first think. The principle here is to know your local area and explore it with your children. Walk to school if possible rather than go by car. Touch the outdoor world, keep a record of what you see on the way.
Play "I Spy" on the way to school. What a way to investigate the features of places! Point out the range of maps that we can use to help us unravel the mystery of places. Be map collectors in places that you visit that give out free maps - shopping centres, country parks, town centres and museums. Read and explore them with your children. Let older children investigate route maps and help them to plan the route to places that you visit. Look at the food items that you are purchasing, note where they come from and look for the countries together in an atlas at home, or on internet maps. Look at the labels in clothing items, where are the items made? Go for a walk in a local wood or forest at different times of the year e.g. springtime or autumn (leaf kicking time). Seasonality is a very important pattern in their lives. Watch the weather forecast - even better listen to different radio channel forecasts. Did they get it right? Watch items on dramatic world weather events. Talk about topic issues highlighted by news programmes such as News Round.
The list is endless – you will have many ideas of your own. In a nutshell, you can help your children learn by offering them exciting activities and by encouraging them to ask and to try to answer questions about the world in which we live.
Name | Format | ||
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Files | |||
Geog Progression in the Seaside and Coasts.docx | .docx | ||
Geog The Progression of Knowledge in a Locality Study - India or Kenya.docx | .docx | ||
Geog The Progression of Knowledge in a Locality Study - South America.docx | .docx | ||
Hist The Progression of Historical Disciplinary Concepts.docx | .docx | ||
Hist The Progression of Historical Enquiry.docx | .docx | ||
Hist The Progression of Knowledge of a Fossil Girl Significant Person in History Mary Anning.docx | .docx | ||
Hist The Progression of Knowledge of Castles and Knights.docx | .docx | ||
Hist The Progression of Knowledge of Nurturing Nurses.docx | .docx | ||
Hist The Progression of Mayan Knowledge.docx | .docx | ||
Hist The Progression of the Railways Knowledge.docx | .docx |
History and Geography in Action
As a school, we strive to utilise the outdoors, where possible. We have an extensive school grounds which the children use regularly. Futhermore, we have local links with our village musuem and Hendred House, with its vast grounds, which includes a private chapel called St. John the Baptist and St. Amand. Within walking distance of the school, there are various Geocaches, which the older children have found using GPS.