Progression pedagogy - Habitats - Year 2

In a Year 2 unit on habitats, the central question posed is why animals choose the habitats they live in. To enhance the learning experience and ensure that students not only acquire knowledge but also retain it, the unit is structured using a strategic approach known as 'link it, learn it, check it, show it, and know it'. This methodology is designed to take students through a series of stages that facilitate a deeper understanding and long-term retention of the topic at hand.

The progression within this unit begins 'before the learning', where connections are made with prior knowledge, setting the stage for new information. 'During the learning', students actively engage with the content, exploring the reasons behind animals' habitat choices. 'At the end of the learning', students' understanding is assessed to ensure the concepts have been grasped. Finally, 'after the learning', students revisit and reinforce what they have learned to make it stick. This progression is part of a larger framework aimed at helping pupils to know more and remember more, as detailed in the 'Five stages of learning and remembering' document available through the Focus Learning Challenge curriculum.