Evaluation of Autumn Topics
2014
Year 1:
History Focus:
Significant individuals from the past
Explorers
Florence Nightingale
Topic overview
Explorers
To start the topic, Miss Gilding read the children a newspaper
article asking for young explorers to interview for a special explorer
journey. The children found out what explorers do and what they
need. Then they looked at two famous explorers, Christopher
Columbus and Ernest Shackleton. They interviewed ‘Annena
Columbus’, great grand-daughter of Christopher, to find out what
an explorer had to be like. At the end of the topic they celebrated
Columbus Day where the children were asked to come to school as
explorers. This day consolidated all they had learnt about
Christopher Columbus. The children then held interviews for the
explorer expedition which were filmed on iPads. For the explorer
journey they went to Herringthorpe woods to spot animals and
wildlife.
I really enjoyed dressing up as an explorer
for the day. I learnt all about Christopher
Columbus and his journey to America.
I really liked writing my diary entry
where we pretended to be on
Christopher Columbus’ ship.
The best part was being filmed on the
iPads and then going on an explorer
journey to the woods.
Florence Nightingale
To start the topic Year 1 classroom became a hospital! The
children were asked to enter the hospital and find clues as to where
they thought they were. The children discovered all about Scutari
hospital and a woman named Florence Nightingale. The children
were asked to write questions that they wanted answered about
this mystery woman. They then role played being in the hospital as
a wounded soldier and Florence Nightingale. In the topic we
looked at Florence’s life and compared lives of nurses in the
Crimean War to those of modern day. Our topic culminated in a
visit to Thackray Medical Museum. The children were then able to
write an information book about Florence Nightingale.
I liked it when the classroom turned
into a hospital. I put a bandage on
my friend.
The best part was the school trip
because we learnt what Scutari
hospital was like.
I learnt that she was a famous nurse
and enjoyed writing my information
book about Florence Nightingale.
Science –
Materials – making a boat for Christopher Columbus
Our bodies – keeping healthy
Our Explorers Day
Imagining life on a ship with Christopher Columbus.
Our maths work - capacity
Our maths work – finding out about mass
More maths work – how can we weigh parcels?
Our visit to the local park – exploring our local
area
Literacy with Read – Write Inc
Our wonderful writing
Our classroom is a hospital!
Visit to Thackray Medical Museum