Learning challenge topic map New curriculum 2014 Learning priorities In formulating Gawthorpe Academy s response to the New Primary Curriculum, we took into account our key learning priorities. - Engaging learners in an exciting, challenging and creative approach to learning - Application of numeracy and literacy skills to continually raise standards - Making links with the community around us through enterprise and collaborative learning events - Working creatively (incorporating expressive and creative arts and design technology) - Learning from the world around us (though regular educational visits and visitors) - Flexibility of topic and delivery, to ensure identified gaps are closed and children s learning powers are developed Our response has been to use our children s love of questioning and deep thinking skills to create an enquiry lead curriculum. Learning across history, geography and science is framed with questions that the children seek to answer. Children support the formulation of these questions through the planning process. Learning challenges are carefully pitched to ensure children access work at age-related expectations, with regular and sustained challenge through higher level objectives. Basic skills are an integral part of this and are developed as a consequence. We ensure children work at their age related expectations and encourage and support children to exceed their own expectations through challenge. All learning challenges have linked literacy and numeracy work. To support engagement, Wow activities are planned to regularly challenge thinking and contextualise learning. In addition, it is the expectation that each half term learners will engage with the community or educational visits or visitors, to provide a broad and rich learning experience that develops Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural aspects of learner s education.
Geography learning challenges Year 1: Why can t a meerkat live in the North Pole? KS1 geo identify UL and the location of hot and cold areas of the world in relation to the Equator and the North and South Pole. Year 2: What would (name from character from current book) find exciting about our town? KS1 geo use simple fieldwork and observational skills to study the geography of their school and its grounds and the key human and physical features of its surrounding environment. Local area (OSSETT) Year 1: Where do the leaves go to in Winter? KS1 geo identify UK Year 2: Why do we love to be beside the seaside? KS1 geo identify the UK human and physical features of a small area of the UK. This will be introduced in 2015-2016 History learning challenges Year 1: Where do and did the wheels on the bus go? KS1 geo use world maps, atlases and globes to identify the UK and its countries. KS1 history pupils should begin to develop an awareness of the past and the ways in which it is similar to and different from the present. Year 2: where would you prefer to live: England or Africa? Ks1 geo understand geographical similarities and differences through studying the human and physical geography of a small area of the UK, and of a contrasting non- European country. Identify the seasonal and daily weather patterns in the UK and the location of hot and cold areas of the world. TANZANIA Year 2 history: What happened in the Great Fire of London? KS1 history event beyond living memory that are significant nationally and globally. Year 1: Why is the Wii more fun than Grandma and Grandad s old toys? KS1 history changes within living memory revealing aspects of change in national life. Year 2 history: What were the people who lived in Gawthorpe / Ossett like 100 years ago? KS1 history events beyond living memory that are significant nationally and globally. Year 1: who was famous when mum and dad were little? KS1 history the lives of significant individuals in Britain s past who have contributed to our national and international achievements. Year 2 history: What can we find out about Louise Braille and Charles Waterton? KS1 history the lives of significant individuals in the past who have contributed to national and international achievements.
Geography learning challenges Y3: What makes the Earth angry? KS2 geo physical geo including climate zones, biomes, vegetation belts, rivers, mountains, volcanoes and earthquakes and the water cycle. Link to Y3 science unit on rocks Y3: Why do so many people go to the Mediterranean for their holidays? Ks2 geo understand geo similarities and differences through the study of the human and physical geography of a region or area of the UK and a region or area in a European country. History learning challenges Y3 Has Greece always been in the news? Ks2 geo understand the geographical similarities and differences through the study of human and physical geography of a region or area in a European country. KS2 history a study of Greek life and achievements and their influence on the Western world. (Ancient Greece unit) Y3 Who first lived in Britain? KS1 history Stone age to the Iron Age including: hunter gatherers, Early farming, Bronze age and Iron age. Stone Age Britain Y4: Where would you choose to build a city? KS2 geo settlements, land use, economic activity, including natural resources, especially energy and water supplies. Y4: Why is Wakefield such a cool place to live? KS2 geo name and locate counties and cities of the UK, geographical regions and their identifying human and physical characteristics, including hills, mountains, cities, rivers, key topographical features and land use patterns and understand how some of these aspects have changed over time. Y4: Why were the Romans so Powerful and what did we learn from them? KS2 history the Roman Empire and its impact on Britain Julius Caesar, Hadrian s Wall, Boudicca, Romanisation of Britain. Romans Y5 unit moved to Y4: Were the Anglo Saxons really smashing? KS2 history Britain s settlements by Anglo- Saxons and Scots Anglo Saxon invasions, settlements, kingdoms, names and places, art and culture and Christian conversion. Y4: Why were Norman castles certainly not bouncy? beyond 1066. The Norman invasion and its impact on British society. - Link this to local Norman castles. Y5: Why is Brazil in the news again OR what s so special about the USA? KS2 geo locate the world s countries, using Y6 unit moved to Y5: Will you ever see the water you drink again? KS2 geo understand the water cycle. Y5: How can we rediscover the wonders of Ancient Egypt? KS2 history the Achievements of the Saxons Y6 unit moved to Y5: Were the Vikings always victorious and vicious? Norman invasion In 2014-2015 Y5 will also cover this unit. What were the historical implications of Henry VIII s break from the Catholic Church?
maps, to focus on South America / North America and concentrating on their key physical and human characteristics, countries and major cities. Y6: I m a year 6 pupil, can you get me out of here? KS2 geo use the 8 points of a compass, 4 figure grid references, symbols and keys (including OS maps) to build their knowledge of the UK and the wider world. Use fieldwork to observe, measure and record the human and physical features in the local area using a range of methods, including sketch maps, plans and graphs, and digital technologies. Y5 unit moved to Y6: Why should the rainforests be important to us all? (Linked to the Mayan history unit) KS2 geo locate the world s countries, using maps to focus on South America and concentrating on their environmental regions, key physical and human characteristics. earliest civilisations an overview of the impact the Ancient Egyptians had on our society. Egypt Y6: Who were the Mayans and what have we learnt from them? KS2 history a non- European society that provides contrast with British History Mayan civilisation AD 900. Mayans pupil s chronological knowledge beyond 1066 e.g. a significant turning point in British history. To introduce 2015-2016 as covered in previous year. pupil s chronological knowledge beyond 1066 e.g. a significant turning point in British history. Tudors To introduce 2015-2016 as covered in previous year. Local history study coal mining and Victorians in the local area: beyond 1066.
Year 1 Year 2 Following the old National Curriculum until 2015-2016: Which birds and plant would little Red Riding Hood find in our park? KS1 y1 plants KS1 y1 animals including Changing materials Why are not like tigers? KS1 y1 animals including Electricity and circuits Variation Ks1 health and growth Why does it get darker earlier in Winter? Where do the leaves go in Winter? KS1 y1 seasonal changes Healthy Eating Ks1 health and growth Which materials should the 3 little pigs have used to build their house? KS1 Y1 everyday materials Plants and animals in the local environment Ks1 green plants Forces and Motion Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6 How can Usain Bolt move so quickly? KS2 Y3 animals including What happens to the food we eat? KS2 y4 animals including Do all animals and plants start life as an egg? KS2 y5 livings things and Could Spiderman really exist? How did that blossom become an apple? KS2 y3 plants Which wild animals and plants thrive in your locality? KS2 Y4 living things and How different will you be when you are as old as your grandparents? Ks2 y5 animals including What would a journey through your body be like? How far can you throw your shadow? KS2 y3 light How would we survive without water? Ks2 y4 states of matter Could you be the next CSI investigator? KS2 y5 properties and changes of materials Have we always looked like this? Are you attractive enough? KS2 y3 forces and magnets How could we cope without electricity for one day? Ks2 y4 electricity Will we ever send another human to the moon? KS2 Y5 Earth and Space How can you light up your life? What do rocks tell us about the way the earth was formed? KS2 Y3 rocks Why is the sound that One Direction make enjoyed by so many? Ks2 Y4 sound Can you feel the force? Ks2 y5 forces Could you be the next Nintendo apprentice? KS2 y6 living things and KS2 Y6 animals including KS2 y6 evolution and inheritance KS2 y6 light KS2 y6 electricity