Term 4 - What Makes us Human?

This term our whole school theme is ‘what makes us human?’

The question of ‘what makes us human?’ is a complex and multi-faceted one, and it has been a subject of philosophical, scientific, and cultural exploration throughout history. 

Throughout term 4 and across the whole school pupils will focus on significant historical people, study how they impact our lives today and how the world would be different had they acted differently.

"What makes us human?" is to be explored through the lens of human development and achievements over time. This question encourages pupils to think about the unique qualities, abilities, and characteristics that define humans and distinguish them from other living beings.

The school curriculum is driven by our first order concepts of POWER, EMPIRE and CIVILISATION. First-order concepts not only help children to make sense of their historical period of study, but they also provide a proximal role in helping them to make connections across different periods.

In EYFS they will ‘Spring to life’ and learn about the history of old stories, fairy tales and yarns. They will learn how the meanings of old stories encompass both entertainment and the exploration of human experience. Through the prism of stories they will learn about the 18th century American botanist Jane Colden, the first female botanist in America. Her contributions to the field of botany, particularly her extensive documentation of local plant life and her creation of an herbarium, marked a significant achievement. 

In Year 1 & 2 they will learn how in history certain groups or individuals could be described as nurturers based on their roles in providing support, guidance, or care. They will travel back to the battlefields of the Crimean War (1853-1856) and meet Florence Nightingale and Mary Seacole, both prominent figures in the field of nursing during the 19th century.. While Florence Nightingale is often more widely remembered and celebrated, the reasons for the disparity in their recognition are complex and multifaceted. Pupils will study some factors that contribute to this discrepancy and answer the question ‘Why does history remember Florence Nightingale but forget Mary Seacole?’

In Year 3 & 4 they will sail the high seas in search of the Vikings and ask the question ‘Who were the Vikings and why did they invade Britain?’ Pupils will learn how the Vikings were seafaring people who lived in what is now Scandinavia from the late 8th century to the early 11th century. Through historical investigation pupils will learn how Vikings played a crucial role in shaping European history through exploration, trade, and cultural interactions, leaving a lasting legacy that continues to be studied and appreciated today. They will learn of King Canute, perhaps the most famous of the Viking Kings especially in English history. His reign is a significant chapter in the evolution of the English monarchy and the nation itself.

In Year 5 & 6 they will study a new subject in OVPA’s history curriculum: Shang Dynasty. The Shang Dynasty was one of the earliest dynasties in Chinese history, believed to have existed from around 1600 BCE to 1046 BCE. The Shang Dynasty is important in history because it represents a formative period in the development of Chinese civilization, contributing to language, technology, social structures, and religious practices. They will learn about the life of Lady Fu Hao, one of the most extraordinary women of the Shang Dynasty who led many military campaigns, commanded 13,000 soldiers and was considered the most powerful military leader of her time. The discovery of Fu Hao's tomb is considered one of the most important archaeological findings in China and pupils will consider ‘What can we tell about the Shang Dynasty from Fu Hao's tomb?’

Overall the question of ‘what makes us a human?' prompts our pupils to consider the factors that have contributed to human progress and the ways in which historical events and innovations have shaped the course of human civilisation. It encourages critical thinking about the unique attributes and achievements that define the human experience throughout history.

"The more you know about the past, the better prepared you are for the future.” - Theodore Roosevelt, 26th President of the United States.

Mr Newell, History Lead