Edinburgh Academy
Understanding ourselves by understanding the past
Houses and Homes, Vikings, Transport, Ancient Egyptians, The Romans, Edinburgh, The Victorians, Word War II - all these are topics through which we aim to develop an understanding of the past.
Visits to museums and other places of historical interest (left) are features of our curriculum from the earliest years.
Thinking skills
When our pupils learn history they are not just gaining chunks of knowledge about people and events. They are also developing thinking skills - particularly critical thinking - and attitudes that will stand them in good stead elsewhere in the curriculum and throughout life. One key example is distinguishing between fact and opinion, when examining evidence. In an information age it is increasingly important to be able to evaluate the reliability of your sources. In the Junior School pupils are introduced to this way of thinking in history.
Working together
Opportunities will be seized for genuine collaborative work, where children come together to find an answer to a problem needing some investigation, for instance by using the displays at a Museum to find out why historical change came about. The outcome might be a written report or an oral summary of the findings, but the process is as important as the product.
Project work
Independence & creativity
The close monitoring by the teacher of the quality of children's planning and investigation is vital, as is the blending of the use of school-based sources - Library, Internet, Topic boxes, etc - with independent work being done at home. Projects of this kind offer the chance for the children to show what they can really do and gives scope for creativity and the pursuit of excellence - open expectations ensure that those who can do detailed, lengthy investigations are given every encouragement to achieve these goals. |
Role Play - Viking Show by Chad Noirbent 3Y
3M did a show of “Blood Spit and Tears”. After that it was scene four where Harry was first then Calum , third was me. I said we played a boardgame that was similar to chess. When it was my turn to act I pretended to be King Canute and told to the sea go back but I got very wet feet! Mrs Bashford said well done and that was the best Viking Show that she had seen. |
Children's Work |
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Alexander's (P3) Raiders Story |
Thomas' (P3) Raiders Story |
In a split second they could beat me there. Quickly I rush into the village and shout “raiders!” I dare not stop, I have to warn everyone. A battle begins. I dive behind some old brown sacks to hide. I see a man lying on the ground. He has a very sharp dagger stuck in his throat. I hear a bloodthirsty scream as a man is struck by an axe. I feel badly terrified. Suddenly a huge ugly raider lifts me over his head .He looks as if he is about to throw me at a fire. “Help, help, somebody, help!” I scream “Shut up!” Yells the raider Quickly I bite him and run to safety. Then I sprint totally fast up the hill and I see a horrible sight. I see huge fires and blood everywhere. By this time the raiders were back at the boat. Next time they shall not be so lucky. |
It is a huge longboat slowly coming towards me. They creep off the ship and then they silently tiptoe to my village. They look like big scary warriors. In a dash I quickly race to my village. I feel so terrified. “Raiders!” I shout at every home. I run to a bush to be safe. A huge horrid battle begins. I see heads and arms in a red river of blood. I hear blood curdling cries. There are lots of sharp swords clashing. I’m nervous with fear. Suddenly, a big, scary raider grabs my sister and he drags her to a strong tree and ties her up. “Help!” she says. Soon I hear my sister. On my way to save her I find a sword then I cut the rope and we run to safety. In a flash, me and my sister race up the hill and look over the edge. I see my village burning and bloody dead bodies lying all around. Next time we will be ready . |
A VIKING HOUSE FOR SALE |
The Raid
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It has a panoramic view. The house is in a friendly community. It has stone walls and a thatch roof it also has a big fire in the middle of the room. There is a small hole in the roof to let the smoke come out. It is very warm. The price includes two wooden carved beds. It also has a weaving loom. Contact: Thorkell Tall Norway 258 1607 |
This is a first person account written by a young Anglo-Saxon boy named Odi (aka Oskar Kvale of P3M) on witnessing the arrival of a strange ship on the riverbank near his village. Oskar was focussing on writing in present tense, communicating the character’s thoughts and feelings. He will use some of these ideas when writing a story based on ‘Raiders!’ by Lynne Benton. I am lying down peacefully in the long grass, climbing trees when I feel like it. Suddenly, I remember Dad said that there is plenty of breeze today so I rush off to the cliff to enjoy the feel of the wind……Oh, oh, no! I cannot speak. I dash into the longest grass near our village shore. Who are these fierce looking people? What do they want? I duck out of sight. Then I freeze. I am so petrified my blood turns totally cold. When I see the strangers begin to creep towards the village my questions are answered. |
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Project work in Upper Primary involves an overall challenge being set, the parameters clarified, the learning objectives explained and the success criteria revealed. This kind of project is a very good stimulus for the development of independent working habits. 
On Wednesday the 4 th of March 3M and 3Y presented a Viking Show. I was in the show, The King of Vikings. When the music stopped we ran in and around at the terrified parents and children then we ran on stage. Jack said a few words, so we stood and pretended to speak and shake our friend’s hands. Ben said his part and we sat down and the girls sang a song about the Vikings, then we swapped round with 3M. 
It is a warm, autumn day. I am at the beach collecting tasty fish for dinner. I look out to sea and catch a glimpse of an unusual sight. It is a big, long, wooden ship. I see a hundred tough men, they have hard, grey armour and very sharp swords and spears. I feel totally terrified. They thunder out of the boat and sprint swiftly towards my village. 
It is very hot and sunny day. I am fishing with my Dad. I look out to sea and see a strange sight. This page is: Edinburgh Academy / juniorschool / curriculum / history.htm
