Policy: Geography Policy ; History Policy
Staff Co-ordinator: Mrs. C. Stidwell
Link Governor: Mrs. A. Johnson
Statement of Intent:
Class 1
27.10.19- In Geography we have been learning about our local area. We found out that Stanhope has different types of houses. We looked at the different houses in our area and found that we have detached houses, semi-detached houses and terraced houses. We then used our bodies to make some of the houses. It was a really fun way of learning the posh names for different houses.
Class 2
In Geography, during Spring half term, we have been investigating the Equator and the counties that are near it. We have looked at the different temperatures around the world and have visited a range of countries. We have been to both the poles and answered the question, ‘Why do penguins and polar bears never meet?’ The children have looked at where they would like to go in the world and used ICT to find out key things of interest. We have some avid explorers in the making!
In History this half term we have been looking at our local landmarks. We have been using I pads to place landmarks within the North East into chronological order. We have then sketched and researched our chosen one.
Finally, we have designed our own landmark; thinking carefully about its design and what it might have been used for previously.
In Geography, we have been finding out what makes the world WONDERFUL. We have looked at images of some of the wonders of the world and created our own artwork and posters to showcase them.
In Geography, we have looked at the different continents, focused in detail upon one and looked at capital cities and landmarks within them. The children have developed their use of an Atlas and Globe and are excited to explore different places around the world through the use of Google maps and You tube. We feel like we have actually visited some of the amazing wonders of the world.
Class 3
20.01.20- In History, the children worked in groups to study Ancient Egyptian artefacts and group them based on their appearance. Each child then used inference skills to guess what a mysterious artefact could be and how it could have been used.
2.12.19- In Geography we have been looking closely at a map of the UK. We worked in groups to identify hills, mountains and rivers. Each team was able to find and locate them correctly.
25.10.19- Over the past half term, Class 3 have had lots of fun learning about WW2. All of the children created some fantastic pieces of work which contributed to our lovely class display.
23.09.19- In History, Class 3 have been learning about the Blitz and what it was like to be a child at this time. Euan created a fantastic piece of writing that included important key words and an excellent picture of him standing at his bedroom window whilst the Germans dropped bombs on the city.
Humanities – Class 3 – The Blitz- 2019
Class 4
Flood Resilience Week – During Flood Resilience Week, Class 4 worked with The Environment Agency to learn about flooding, our local landscape and climate change.
We had a session on emergency planning to make sure we all know how to respond in a flood emergency and what to pack in a ‘grab bag’.
We compared and contrasted a rural and urban area to see how flooding differs in different geographical areas. Finally we learnt about pollution in our local river – The River Wear and what we can do to help and support our river system.
Anna Caygill from the Environment Agency taught us about the natural flood defences currently being trialled in Weardale.
It was a really interesting week and the children all learnt a lot about their local environment.
In History our theme this term is “All about Tudors”. The children have enjoyed learning and organising specific events in Tudor times which led to discussions about the important of the Tudor Rose. In subsequent lessons, the children have enjoyed learning about general Tudor life, this includes, Henry VIII and his 6 wives, Tudor houses, rich and poor living and they specifically enjoyed creating an archaic style Tudor menu for King Henry VIII banquet.
Class 5
Zoo Lab visits Class 5- On the 29th January we had the fantastic Zoo Lab! As we went into the hall, Rob, our Zoo Lab instructor, introduced himself and said that he had been coming here for 9 years! The first animal Rob told us about was large, slimy and had a surprisingly large amount of teeth which are apparently sharper than shark’s or tiger’s teeth: it was a snail. Rob said that it was a Giant African Snail with 10,000 teeth – I was blown away by that fact! I did hold it although it wasn’t as slimy as you would think, plus snail slime is an ingredient in face cream!
Secondly, Rob brought out an insect that has been around the planet for millions of years and if you froze it for 2-5years it would still be alive once it was thawed out. It was a cockroach. I also held this one and I won’t lie, it was almost satisfying when it crawled in my hand!
After that, Rob brought out a tarantula which we weren’t allowed to hold because if you touched its hair you would get incredibly itchy. The next one was my favourite: a snake. The snake – fortunately- wasn’t venomous, it was a constrictor which means it basically strangles you. I held this one and loved the feel of it. Finally, we had an adorable rat who climbed on Rob’s back and then climbed back in its cage. Its fur was so soft. Unfortunately, we weren’t allowed to hold it in case it ran off.
I really did enjoy Zoo Lab this year.
By Alice (Aged 11)
Vikings-
Flood Resilience Week – The week commencing Monday 11th November 2019 our school held a Geography Week with the theme of Flood Resilience. Our class spent two whole days working with a range of visitors ranging from the Environment Agency to Northumbria Water.
We learnt what flooding is and how it is caused, we learnt about the impact climate change is having on flooding and what the risks of flooding are in Stanhope.
We all made an emergency plan and learnt how to help our neighbours during a flood. The best bit of the week was when we went on a walk down to the river and learnt about the flood defence systems which have been put in place to protect the residents and homes in Stanhope.
We used our comparing and contrasting skills to look at flooding in Sunderland and Stanhope and identified what the challenges were in each area. We explored hard and soft engineering options for flood defences and learnt about the natural defence pilot currently taking part in our area of the world.
Finally, we became news reporters and put together a news report to give people advice and guidance for what to do during a flood emergency – it was really good fun!
The Flood Resilience Week rounded off our geography topic on Raging Rivers and helped us to apply what we had learnt in action.
Raging Rivers- In Geography this half term Class 5 have been learning about rivers. We began by learning about the water cycle and where our water comes from and how it reaches our rivers. We have used atlases to research rivers in the UK and around the World. We then moved on to learn about the key features of a river and have learnt about erosion and deposition.
This topic will take us on to learn about flooding and we are really looking forward to our Geography week when we will be working with The Environment Agency, Northumbria Water & Wear River Trust to learn about Flood Resilience. We are also hoping to go on a field trip to see some of the natural flood defences in action!
