Curriculum Overviews: The Roadmap to Learning
- What they are: A curriculum overview is a document, typically provided at the beginning of each term or academic year. It gives you a general idea of what your child will be learning across different subjects like English, Maths, Science, History, Geography, Art, Music, etc.
- What they include: They usually outline the main topics, themes, and skills that will be covered. For example, in a Year 3 History overview, you might see "The Stone Age" or "Ancient Egypt" listed. In Maths, it could be "Fractions" or "Multiplication." The overview will often include a brief summary of what the topic will cover and possibly some key texts or resources that will be used.
- Why they are useful for parents:
- Provides transparency: You know what to expect your child to be learning.
- Facilitates conversations: You can talk to your child about what they are learning in school and ask specific questions.
- Supports home learning: You can provide extra resources or activities at home that complement what they are doing in class.
- Helps you track progress: You can see how the curriculum is progressing throughout the year.
Important note: Overviews are general guides. Teachers have flexibility in how they teach the curriculum and may adapt it to meet the needs of their pupils.
Knowledge Organisers: The Essential Information Toolkit
- What they are: A Knowledge Organiser (KO) is usually a one-page document that summarizes the most important information about a specific topic or unit of work. It's like a condensed study guide. They are used in most subjects, from history and geography to science and even English.
- What they may include:
- Key vocabulary: Important terms and definitions related to the topic.
- Essential facts: The most crucial pieces of information that students need to know.
- Diagrams and images: Visual aids to help understanding and memory.
- Timelines: Chronological representations of events (especially in history).
- Key people: Important figures associated with the topic.
- Key concepts: Fundamental ideas or principles.
- Why are they used by schools?
- Focuses Learning: They help students focus on the most important information.
- Aids Memory: The concise format and use of visuals help with memorization.
- Supports Recall: They act as a quick reference guide for review and revision.
- Builds Connections: They help students see the connections between different pieces of information within a topic.
- Prepares for future learning: By mastering the core knowledge, students are better prepared for more advanced concepts.
- Why are they useful for parents?
- Understand what your child is learning: You can see the core knowledge your child is expected to master.
- Help with homework: You can use the KO to help your child review and complete assignments.
- Support revision: They are excellent resources for test preparation.
- Engage in meaningful conversations: You can use the KO as a starting point for discussing the topic with your child.
In short:
- Curriculum Overviews: Tell you what your child will be learning and when.
- Knowledge Organisers: Help your child to remember and understand the most important information within a particular topic.
By understanding and utilising both curriculum overviews and knowledge organisers, you can actively support your child's learning journey and help them succeed in Key Stage 1 and 2. Don't hesitate to ask your child's teacher for more information or clarification on either of these resources.
Each year group has its own curriculum overviews and knowledge organisers.