Check it! - Crime and Punishment - Year 4

The educational resource from Focus Education explores the evolution of 'crime and punishment' throughout history, tailored for Year 4 students. It prompts them to consider how punitive measures and the treatment of criminals have transformed over the ages. To ensure a deep understanding of the subject, the resource suggests incorporating regular review sessions into the learning process. Various engaging strategies are proposed, such as 'Brain dump', where students quickly jot down everything they remember, and 'Give me FIVE!', which may involve listing five facts or points about a particular aspect of the topic. Other methods include adding to a mind map, expanding on ideas, and using 'Retrieval Pyramids' to structure the recall of information.

As part of the learning journey, students delve into the history of crime and punishment, examining how people were disciplined in the past and contrasting it with modern practices. The resource encourages interactive learning through activities like 'Expand and Elaborate', where students might discuss the disparity in treatment between the rich and poor during Anglo-Saxon times or consider the leniency of contemporary punishments. Inquisitive tasks are presented, prompting students to describe various Anglo-Saxon punishments, understand social hierarchies such as the roles of a thane or a ceorl, and explore historical concepts like weregild. They are also invited to reflect on the origins of legal traditions, such as why judges wear wigs and the reason behind having twelve jurors. The resource aims to challenge pupils at different levels, with the expectation that all can answer fundamental questions, while more advanced students tackle the complex topics.