History - Year 4 - Focus Education
What does the Year 4 scheme cover?
Focus Education prioritises equipping Year 4 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.
Egyptians
Use a timeline to help pupils understand what was happening in Britain when the Ancient Egyptians were at their most powerful during this unit. Investigate the greatness of the Ancient Sumerians, exploring the attributes that classify them as a significant civilisation and delve into the history of the Shang Dynasty and the Indus Valley, appreciating the unique contributions of each culture. Examine the profound influence of gods on Ancient Egyptian society, exploring the intricate relationship between the people and their deities. Uncover the mysteries of pharaohs, the construction of pyramids, and the use of hieroglyphics as a written form of communication in ancient Egypt.
Key questions answered:
- What was happening in Britain when the Ancient Egyptians were at their most powerful?
- How have archaeologists helped us know what happened in Ancient Egypt and elsewhere?
- What do we know about other great civilisations of this time?
- How and why were the Ancient Egyptians influenced by their Gods?
- Why did the powerful Egyptians create a culture of slavery?
History of Manchester
During this unit, construct a timeline to visually depict the growth of Manchester's population from 1700 to the present day, focussing on the pivotal role played by the Industrial Revolution, particularly the cotton industry, in driving the city's expansion. Explore the technological advancements that facilitated the efficient construction and operation of factories during this period and delve into the historical figure of Henry Hunt and his advocacy for improved living and working standards for working-class families. Understand the events that culminated in the Peterloo Massacre, a tragic incident with significant implications.
Key questions answered:
- What do we know about Manchester’s Roman origins?
- How did Manchester grow during the 18th Century?
- Why did Manchester become known as Cottonopolis?
- Why did the Peterloo Massacre happen, and why was it so significant?
- How did Manchester improve in the 19th and 20th century?
Romans
In this unit, delve into the transformation of Britain from the end of the Iron Age to the conclusion of the Roman occupation. Research Roman artefacts unearthed in various archaeological sites and explore diverse sources of evidence to understand the impact of Roman influence. Examine how the Romans turned tribal lands into a sophisticated kingdom, introducing elements such as towns, cities, forts and the iconic straight roads that we still use today. Investigate the Romans' efforts to implement what they believed to be beneficial changes, considering the profound impact of the Roman invasion on the cultural, social and political landscape of Britain.
Key questions answered:
- What did the Romans find when they first arrived in Britain?
- What evidence is there that the Romans came to Britain at all?
- What do we mean by the ‘Romanisation’ of Britain?
- What did the Romans do to improve Britain?
- Why did the Romans leave Britain?
Crime and Punishment
Explore the intriguing aspects of "crime and punishment" during Anglo-Saxon times in this unit, looking into the significance of social status and importance in this context. Investigate the laws, punishments and ordeals introduced by the Anglo-Saxons, shedding light on the intricacies of justice during that period. Find out about the severe treatment of vagrants and beggars during Tudor times and examine the social attitudes and legal measures that shaped the treatment of individuals during this era. Explore the evolution of the legal system, noting when women were introduced to juries, and discover the origins of MI5 and MI6 in our country, understanding their historical significance.
Key questions answered:
- Who first brought law and order to Britain?
- Which laws did the Anglo-Saxons introduce that are still with us today?
- Was punishment always fair?
- How does law and order work in Britain today?
- What evidence tells us that some punishments were very cruel?
Indus Valley
Conduct research to understand the climate and location of the Indus Valley, exploring the geographical factors that shaped the civilisation during this unit. Create a timeline to help contextualise the most powerful periods of the Indus Valley civilisation and parallel events in Britain. Appreciate the differences between life in Britain and the Indus Valley during the same era and consider the accuracy of the information gathered, recognising the challenges in building a comprehensive picture of what transpired in the Indus Valley. Acknowledge the limitations of historical records and the need to rely on archaeological findings, artefacts and other sources to reconstruct aspects of daily life, societal structures and cultural practices in the Indus Valley.
Key questions answered:
- What was happening in Britain when the Indus Valley civilisation was at its most powerful?
- How have archaeologists helped us know what happened in the Indus Valley and elsewhere?
- What do we know about other great civilisations of this time?
- Who were the Indus Valley people and what was everyday life like there?
- What was it like for children living in the Indus Valley?
What’s included for Year 4 teachers?
- Full Year 4 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!
