History and Geography

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History at Meadow View

At Meadow View, History is taught through topic-based learning. We recognise that high-quality history teaching helps pupils to gain a better understanding of Britain’s past, as well as that of the wider world. We aim to equip children with a coherent understanding of historical events and their chronology, as well as helping them to develop their ability to:
- Ask questions about the past,
- Think critically about people and events from history, 
- Analyse both primary and secondary sources and their reliability,
- Develop their own perspectives about events and people of the past,
- Make comparisons between time periods.

We also encourage children to learn lessons from actions and events in history. We encourage children to empathise with people who lived in the past, and to understand how the actions of today will become the history of tomorrow.

Geography at Meadow View

At Meadow View, Geography skills are taught as part of termly topics. We aim to inspire children to be more curious about the world and its people, by giving them experiences which allow them to learn about diverse places and people. Children learn about aspects of human geography, such as land use and population changes, as well as the physical processes which have formed our planet over millions of years. In order to learn about the world in which we live, children are taught skills which allow them to:
- Collect and analyse data,
- Interpret maps, aerial photographs and globes,
- Present geographical information in different ways.

As well as developing children’s Geographical knowledge and skills, we also aim to encourage children to think ecologically about how their own actions play a role in protecting the health of our planet.

Year 6 - History and Geography

During the Autumn Term, Year 6 have been learning all about the Industrial Revolution and answering their Big Question of 'How did the Industrial Revolution impact Birmingham?'. They have learnt about the invention of the steam engine, importance of the canals and railway system. They also created a persuasive advert encouraging Victorian business owners to set up their factories in Birmingham.

Year 5 - Why Do Natural Disasters Happen?

Year 5 have started the year with a topic all about Natural Disasters. They have learnt about volcanoes, earthquakes, tsunamis and other natural events. They looked at the structure of the Earth, before learning why volcanic eruptions and earthquakes occur, and studied the location of the Earth's tectonic plates. They even used our new VR headsets to visit a volcanic eruption!

During Black History month, the children learnt about famous poet Benjamin Zephaniah. 

Year 4 - What have the Greeks left behind?

Year 4 have kicked off this year with a topic all about The Ancient Greeks. They have located the country of Greece within Europe, and placed the Ancient Greek era on a timeline. They have learnt about a range of Ancient Greek myths, as well as learning about some of the many different Greek gods and goddesses. They have learnt about how we can use artefacts and ruins to help us understand what life was like for the Ancient Greeks. 

Year 3 - How did life change from the Stone Age to the Iron Age?

Year 3 have travelled far back in time to learn about the periods of the Stone Age, Bronze Age and Iron Age. They have learnt about how the earliest humans were hunters and gatherers, and the children have looked at how life, hunting and housing changed from the Stone Age to the Iron Age. They have learnt about what everyday life was like, and how we can use things left behind, such as tools, bones and cave drawings, to learn about the earliest humans. 

Year 2 - Why did people build castles?

Year 2 have been learning about the Medieval period in Great Britain. They learnt about how a group of people called the Normans came to Britain and began building castles for defence. They looked at how castles changed from those made from wood, to stone-built castles and the reasons for this. The children looked at the different people who lived inside a castle, from Lords and Ladies to cooks and jesters. 

Year 1 - Where in the world are we?

Children in Year 1 have been locating where we live within the world. They have learnt that we live near a city called Birmingham, in a country called England. They have learnt that England is located in Europe, and that the capital city of our country is London. The children have then looked at the lives of other children around the world, and made comparisons between where we live and other countries.