The China topic at Glenlee Primary School in Burnbank, South Lanarkshire, provided a context for a social studies focus. Other curriculum areas, such as expressive arts, English, literacy and numeracy, where strong relevant connections could be made, were included.
Draft experiences and outcomes were used by the teacher and pupils to plan the study which lasted six weeks with the final week being used for presenting learning to peers, parents and a wider audience.
Discussion in class about the study began with the questions:
- what do we already know?
- what do we think we know?
- what do we want to know?
- what do we need to know?
- how are we going to find out?
- who are we going to ask?
The teacher then shared the planning process with the pupils, using the 5W’s planner, asking who, where, what, when and why? Together they constructed and agreed upon questions to investigate relating to China. The final week was also used for assessment, self and peer evaluation to inform personal learning planning for future learning with the class teacher.
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