History, Geography, Sciences and Design & Technology
Our Interdisciplinary Learning curriculum ensures that our children develop both a rich knowledge and coherent understanding of the world in which they live by learning about other people and their values, in different times, places and circumstances; whilst also developing their awareness of the living, material and physical environment and how it has been shaped. By drawing on prior knowledge, fostering curiosity, providing opportunities for personalisation and choice, and learning new knowledge and skills, our curriculum enables our children to transfer and apply that collective knowledge to new problems and other areas of learning allowing them to grow, develop and flourish. It seeks to spark our children’s fascination with new discoveries and technologies, enabling them to become creative, inventive and enterprising individuals who can influence their world positively and collaboratively as global citizens.
Our School Family (Term 1)
We get to know each other and the special people that look after us in our school.
On the Farm (Term 1)
During this topic we look at the changing environment; observing and discussing changes in plants and trees on welly walks, and discussing how woodland creatures prepare for winter. We look at a variety of fruit and vegetables and the children learn what happens during harvest.
Night and Day (Term 2)
The children will look at nocturnal creatures with a special focus on owls. There will be a visit from owl experts and the children will have a first-hand experience of owls. We learn how the movement of the Earth creates day and night and explore sequence of time, morning, afternoon, evening and night.
Wild Weather (Term 3)
Children have opportunities to explore different types of weather, how this is measured and recorded, weather symbols and forecasting and the effects of extreme weathers such as hurricanes, flood and drought.
Time Travellers (Term 4)
All aboard the Primary 1 Time Travelling machine!
The children will embark on an exciting adventure to the past, looking back in time to when their parents and grandparents were children. What did the houses look like? What types of toys did they play with? How did they travel? Children will have opportunities to compare and contrast; discussing similarities and differences with the present day and the past.
Fairytale Land (Term 4)
This is a very exciting surprise … we will have to wait and see what happens!
Discovery Zone in Topics
Discovery Zone is set up to develop children’s learning in two main areas – ‘Science and Technology’ and ‘Group Collaboration’. Primary 1 children experience Discovery Zone during their topic-based learning. In Discovery Zone the children learn: to work in small groups to solve problems and find solutions; to discuss ideas and negotiate roles; to make decisions; to design and create; and to learn to collaborate as part of a team. The children are encouraged to manage their own organisation by having an appointed ‘Resource Manager’. They are encouraged to evaluate their performance as part of a team and also the finished or (unfinished) products they create.
Learning through discovery is proven to be most effective and children are supported in transferring and building upon the skills acquired in Discovery Zone as they continue to work together in the classroom and the playground.
Technology in our Topics
Technology, like Science, is a very practical subject which we endeavour to make a hands-on experience for children. It involves a range of skills including teamwork, coordination and fine motor skills. Through a variety of activities and experience of the physical world the children will develop an understanding of common materials, tools and joining methods.