History

Outline of Course:

Content: Students will investigate the Industrial Revolution, World War 1, the Rise of Hitler, the end of the Second World War as well as life in the post-war period.

Activities:

• Students visit the Black Country Museum in Dudley to support their work on the Industrial Revolution.
• There is also a visit to the Ypres Salient in Belgium for one day, particularly for those considering GCSE History as an option.

Skills: Preparing for GCSE is very important in Year 9. Skills of evaluation, interpretation and investigation are fine-tuned.

Homework Activities: Homework will be set when appropriate to support learning. Tasks may include individual research, analysis and evaluation of documents, drawing maps and diagrams etc.

Assessment: Students will investigate six key questions relating to the above topics. At the end of each question they will complete an assessment task which will be marked against national curriculum levels.

Parental contribution:

• Parents can support us by encouraging a regular routine in the evening for homework
• Sometimes parents help us on visits
• Students are encouraged to catch up quickly when they have been absent
• Students should be encouraged to watch relevant TV documentary programmes and should be encouraged to watch the news and read newspapers to keep them in touch with world events

Useful resources and equipment:

• Pens, pencils, rulers, coloured pencils etc. are required
• A small pocket dictionary is useful
• Otherwise, no specific equipment is necessary

Other relevant information:

The Ypres Salient visit is limited to about 50 students and fills up very quickly, often within 24 - 36 hours of letters going home. GCSE historians are given another opportunity to visit the Battlefields of the First World War for coursework. Payments start at the end of Year 9 and are spread across Year 10 with the visit running in May of Year 10. This spreads the cost and allows wider participation.