Teaching Going to the Seaside at KS1

The skill in planning a topic on the Seaside is not to make it too static by simply comparing ‘then’ and ‘now’. Building in still imaging of activities on an Edwardian beach, a quick burst of ‘I do like to be beside the seaside’ or writing an authentic postcard home, can enliven the topic, which works really well in Year 1 term 3.

For those of you wanting to teach this in summer of Year 2 a word of warning. Try to go beyond the simple similarity and difference to look at the concept of change through time. By looking at the 1960s as well as today and 1900, children will be able to talk about three periods of time. You will see that there is a full medium-term planner for this topic and 6 fully-resourced outstanding enquiry lessons. ON top of that you might want to set up a seaside museum. An example of how this could be done most effectively will be posted shortly.

Castles is a great topic. Not only does it make the Homes topic really come alive, but it also helps low attaining pupils to grasp what really old means. The contrasts with the present are so clear-cut that all can get involved. And they love it! Build in a visit and the whole topic takes off!