History - Year 2 - Focus Education
What does the Year 2 scheme cover?
Focus Education prioritises equipping Year 2 teachers with the essential tools to deliver exceptional History lessons, ensuring remarkable outcomes for pupils. With each lesson focussing around an enquiry-based question, substantive and disciplinary knowledge builds over time to become firmly embedded. This approach not only cultivates a chronological understanding of local, British and world history, but also fosters a lasting appreciation of how our present actions can shape the future.
Famous People and Events
In this unit, delve into the lives of notable individuals, both British and non-British, who have made significant contributions to creating a fairer world, such as Nelson Mandela and Rosa Parks. Gain an understanding of the concept of discrimination and recognise the dedicated efforts of many individuals who devoted their lives to combating various forms of discrimination. Explore historical figures like Christopher Columbus, contemplating whether he is perceived as a hero universally, and investigate the impact of the first moon landing, which enhanced our understanding of the universe. At the end of this unit, examine the tragic event of the sinking of the Titanic, acknowledging its significance as a historical disaster.
Key questions answered:
- Who did something in the past that has impacted on our lives today?
- What is the difference between being well known and being internationally famous?
- What famous events from the past do we still talk about today?
- Who has sacrificed their life to make things better for others?
Great Fire of London
Critically evaluate sources and consider the reliability of information in this unit, especially when exploring significant events beyond living memory. Recognise the value of Samuel Pepys's diary in providing insights into the Great Fire of London, while also emphasising the importance of corroborating information from multiple sources and questioning the reliability of single-source accounts. Delve into the factors that contributed to the rapid spread of the fire, examining the conditions and circumstances. Explore the preventive measures and changes in urban planning that were implemented to ensure a similar catastrophe would not recur.
Key questions answered:
- What lessons have we learned from the Great Fire of London?
- Why did the fire burn for many days?
- How has firefighting equipment changed over the years?
- Why do we know the fire happened?
- What different types of fire create problems even today?
- What did people learn from the fire and how did it improve London?
Victorians
In this unit, engage in a comprehensive debate on the positive and negative factors surrounding the Industrial Revolution, which brought about significant changes in energy, technology, work, transport and engineering. Delve into the transformative impact of this era on society, considering both the advancements and challenges it presented. Explore the dynamics of school life and popular games during the Victorian era, gaining insights into the educational and recreational aspects of that time, and investigate the stark divisions between rich and poor families, examining the social and economic disparities that characterised this period.
Key questions answered:
- Who were the Victorians?
- How different was life in Victorian Britain?
- What was meant by the Industrial Revolution?
- How did the industrial revolution change many towns and cities in Britain?
- How different are children’s lives today to those in the Victorian era?
- What was school like in the Victorian era?
Black History
Explore the reasons behind the feelings of discrimination, acknowledging the historical and contemporary factors that contribute to this. Recognise the significant contributions of famous black people to our world, including figures such as Nelson Mandela and Rosa Parks, who played pivotal roles in advocating for equality and justice. Investigate the impact of groundbreaking inventions like the light bulb and telephone, exploring how these innovations have contributed to improving our world. Develop a chronological understanding of events, placing historical milestones in order to appreciate the sequence and interconnectedness of key developments.
Key questions answered:
- Which famous black people have contributed to improving our world?
- What do we mean by the term ‘discrimination’?
- Who were Rosa Parks and Nelson Mandela?
- Who was Mary Prince and why was she determined to end slavery?
- Who was Lewis Howard Latimer?
- How did Malala Yousafzai stand up for her rights?
What’s included for Year 2 teachers?
- Full Year 2 National Curriculum coverage
- Detailed lesson plans and presentations
- Visual knowledge organisers for each lesson
- Comprehensive assessment materials
- Links to prior and future learning, progression maps & more!
