Famous Historical Person

[Froglet]

At some point this year I'm going to have to do a history topic based around a famous historical figure - I have a mixed Y1/YR class. I can choose who I like really and although I won't be doing the full on history with the reception children they will inevitably get involved in some of it. So I'd like to choose someone who is accessible and interesting for them. I've only taught this unit with a Y1/2 class before when we did Florence Nightingale and Grace Darling (we really liked that one).

 

I'm probably going to do a 'space' topic later in the year as my Y1s are interested in rockets and therefore thought about Neil Armstrong but wasn't sure about the accessibility aspect.

 

Any thoughts/ideas very gratefully received. It's tricky making this stuff work for both year groups at the same time.

[Guest]

I had YR/Y1 last year and their absolutely favourite topic was 'Pirates'. During this we looked at Blackbeard and Ann Bonny and they were absolutely fascinated! I have attached a powerpoint on them, not my work, I think I got it from TES! If you are interested in this topic I have other plans and stuff I can put on.

Kathryn

Famous_pirates_1_.ppt

[Susan]

I explored Grace Darling last term with my yr1 class in response to their interest in lighthouse keepers following our use of the Lighthouse keeper's Lunch to launch a science topic on light. We were talking about the characters in the story when the children made the assumption that lighthouse keepers were all men, which led us on a search about Grace Darling and what she did and to investigate lighthouses as well.

 

Your thoughts about using your children's interest in space to research a famous person is good--you need to think about exactly what you want the children to di and to learn. I combined mine with ICT as well to use the internet to research and we learnt how to search and use websites as well as using the keyboard to write information etc.

 

Good luck. have fun.

[Froglet]

Thanks for the ideas. I've really enjoyed doing Grace Darling in the past too.

 

I have no idea when I'll be doing this unit but I find I work better if I've mulled things over for a while - all the connections come togther in my head and I often dream my best plans!

[Tigger]

I did Brunel with my class after their interest in construction and building bridges....it was brilliant the boys got really enthused we had a design studio as our role play and the writing was briilliant. Months after at Christmas the boys decided they wanted to make Brunel hats for their Christmas Dinner hats! We had also looked at Grace Darling previously and I knew we had tapped into everyone when one of my low ability boys wrote on Brunels noticeboard "write to Mr Darling and ask if he needs a new boat!"

 

S

[Froglet]

Thanks Sharon - I love it when they come back to something later and you know some of what you say has sunk in.

 

Had another thought earlier today - What about Ernest Shackleton or Captain Scott if I did something related to winter? Not sure if they might be a bit too gruesome.

 

I'm really trying to think of lots of famous historical figures so that when I get into the children's interests it will hopefully make some kind of link.

 

Like the Brunel idea. My brother is a Civil Engineer - specialising in bridges and last year I got him to collect some Engineering magazines from his office. I added them to my construction area with lots of talk about them being 'grown up' and from a 'real' engineer. They were a big hit and my favourite moment was discovering 2 of my boys trying to copy the Tescos 'model' in one of them using K'nex!

[Panders]

I don't think Shackleton would be gruesome it is one of the most awe inspiring uplifting stories of human spirit I think I can recall. If ever there were a man for them to look up to and admire and make a hero of it would be Shackleton. You should be able to get hold of some great photographs of the expedition too.

[Guest]

There was a black british nurse called Mary Seacole who was also in the crimean war at the same time as Florence Nightingale it would tie in with Black History Month

[Guest LornaW]

I love the idea of space Helen. Last year was the 40th anniversary of the moon landing and if you google this you can find some of the original footage! It would be great projected on a large screen for the children and then of course not only Neil Armstrong but Buzz Aldrin and you could make links to Toy Story's Buzz Lightyear!!!

 

I was on my first teaching practice when they landed on the moon and I remember the whole school stopped to watch this news footage!!! How old am I??

 

Lorna