Aspects of understanding the world includes:  Past and Present, People, Culture and Communities and The Natural World

During the year we focus on themes such as ‘All about me and my family’, ‘Festivals and celebrations’, ‘Toys’, ‘Living and Growing’, ‘Seasons and change’, ‘Special places’ and ‘Superhero’s’.  Children’s own ideas and experiences influence the themes, and these may involve visits to places such as Park Hall Farm, visitors into school, the local community and environment.  

Through finding out and exploring, children develop what they know about the world:

• Talk about the lives of the people around them and their roles in society.
• Know some similarities and differences between things in the past and now, drawing on their experiences and what has been read in class.
• Understand the past through settings, characters and events encountered in books read in class and storytelling.
• Describe their immediate environment using knowledge from observation, discussion, stories, non-fiction texts and maps.
• Know some similarities and differences between different religious and cultural communities in this country, drawing on their experiences and what has been read in class.
• Explain some similarities and differences between life in this country and life in other countries, drawing on knowledge from stories, non-fiction texts and – when appropriate – maps.
• Explore the natural world around them, making observations and drawing pictures of animals and plants.
• Know some similarities and differences between the natural world around them and contrasting environments, drawing on their experiences and what has been read in class.
• Understand some important processes and changes in the natural world around them, including the seasons and changing states of matter.
• Religious education is taught through lesson activities within the area of learning ‘Understanding the World’. Pupils also follow the units of work form The Shropshire Agreed RE Syllabus. Units of study include: Being special and where do we belong?  Special places, what times and stories are special and why? Why is Christmas special to Christians? Why is Easter special to Christians? Why is the word ‘God’ important to Christians?
• Pupils study world faiths through traditional faith stories linked to different religions e.g. Hindu stories, Muslim stories, and Jewish stories. Pupils learn about different religions and world views through exploring festivals and celebrations.