Thought Provoking Questions in Global

This term pupils in Years 1 to 6 have been deep diving to unpick thought provoking questions central to Global Citizenship lessons and cross curricular studies.

In their explorations this term, Year 1 engaged with the intriguing theme of ‘Where am I?’ They had great discussions about their own homes, the unique characteristics of Caterham, and how it differs from other places.

Meanwhile, Year 2 embraced the question of  ‘What is home?’ They looked the basic needs of individuals, researched historical events like The Great Fire of London, and examined the concept of refugees, drawing connections to characters such as Paddington Bear.

In Year 3, our focus revolved around the interesting question, “What insights can an object provide about the past?” Pupils delved into the captivating study of Tutankhamen and various artefacts from Ancient Egypt.

Year 4 looked into the compelling investigation of “What unfolds when a natural disaster occurs?” Their exploration extended to the study of diverse earthquakes, volcanoes, and other disasters. They examined how different countries tailor their rescue approaches based on their infrastructure.

Meanwhile, Year 5 directed their attention to the important question, “What transpires if we lack access to clean water?” Pupils researched the intricate process of obtaining clean water and explored how water is purified. Their study then extended to the Tudors and Victorians, investigating how these historical periods coped with the absence of modern clean water and sanitation services. They also studied the symbolic significance of water in major religions and compared life expectancy in various countries to their access to clean water.

Finally, Year 6 has been engrossed in the profound study of “Why do wars happen?” This question prompted them to look closer at the origins, causes, and potential preventions of wars. The pupils analysed evidence, examined war statistics, and heard poignant stories from individuals who experienced different facets of war. They studied the Judaism religion, examining its origins and tracing the occurrences of discrimination throughout its history. This gave them with valuable insights into the development of Judaism and the challenges it has faced over the years.

By exploring these open questions through geographical, historical, and religious education as a whole, with trips beyond school to complement their study and provide some hands-on experience, the pupils in each group have gained a deeper understanding of each topic and its relevance to us all as global citizens.

We are all really looking forward to beginning a new enquiry question in each year group in January.