Key Stage 1 is all about your child or class finding their feet and becoming increasingly comfortable with teachers and other children at the school. It is a fun-loving, noisy and active period of time where children dramatically improve their literacy and numeracy skills, along with learning the basics of subjects like science, geography and history.
KS1 is a crucial period in a child’s development, they are not only learning about a range of subjects, but they are using what they have learnt to form a better understanding of the world they live in. This is why subjects like history are important for young children, it helps them learn right from wrong, develop an understanding of how society has evolved and prepare them for their later lives where they too will experience massive changes in their life.
In this article, we will take you through the current KS1 History guidelines and provide recommendations for resources that enhance KS1 learning and development.
KS1 History Curriculum
The aim of the KS1 History curriculum is to ensure that pupils develop an awareness of the past. Children should be taught about changes to society in living memory, for example, the first man on the moon; and events beyond living memory that are nationally or globally significant, for example, the great fire of London. Influential or significant individuals from the past who have contributed to national and international achievements should also be touched upon, for example, Elizabeth I, Christopher Columbus, Florence Nightingale etc.
Children should be able to identify where the people and events they study fit within a chronological framework and be able to identify similarities and differences between ways of life in different periods. They should also be able to develop a basic understanding of the ways in which we find out about the past and identify different ways in which it is represented.
History classes are a great opportunity to develop children’s vocabulary, using resources and stories to answer questions surrounding key historical events.
KS1 Teaching/Learning Resources
KS1 is still a very hyper and fun environment for children, so it is important you choose KS1 resources for your child or class that are fun and engaging. As children progress through Year 1 and into Year 2 you will notice a change in attention span, hyperactiveness and literacy skills, so it is important to match KS1 learning resources to the stage your child or class are at. Here are a few examples of essential teaching resources for KS1 students to help them progress and develop.
BrainBox British History
The BrainBox British History card set can make a great lead-in or recap activity into the historic events in both living memory and beyond living memory, in Britain. It focuses on the most successful and influential people, events and inventions, including Stonehenge, Charles Darwin and the Industrial Revolution.
The learning resource is ideal for developing pupils at KS1, allowing children cement their learning on key influential figures and events throughout British history.
Homes Through the Ages
This great visual learning resource provides a chronological timeline of the housing styles throughout history; from the iron age to the present day. Learning about something familiar, like housing, allows children to develop an understanding of the changes in social history, as mentioned as part of the KS1 curriculum. The pictures and notes allow pupils to consider the way housing and other aspects of historical periods can be put into context.
The article was supplied by Springboard Supplies – Suppliers of preschool activities and education resources. They stock a wealth of KS1 History Resources, including the ones mentioned in this article.
Photo Credit: Element5 Digital Kimberly Farmer David Pennington
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