In social studies, your child will develop their understanding of the world by learning about other people and their values, in different times, places and circumstances. They will develop their understanding of their environment and of how it has been formed.
As your child matures, their experiences will be broadened using Scottish, British, European and wider contexts for learning. There will be a focus on the historical, social, geographic, economic and political changes that have shaped Scotland.
Your child will learn about human achievements and about how to make sense of changes in society, of conflicts and of environmental issues.
Social studies make a significant contribution to education for citizenship, education for sustainability and enterprise education as well as having a crucial role in helping children and young people to understand their own country, the history and heritage of Scotland and the challenges it faces.
In Fordbank Primary, we use progressive planners to inform our teaching of social studies. Much of the learning in Social Studies is carried out through interdisciplinary learning such as topic work where the children can learn knowledge and develop skills in a meaningful context and apply a range of skills and knowledge in the same activity. Teachers often plan responsively to the interests of the children and although we have key topics that are covered across the school such as World War II in Primary 7, we also allow teachers and children the freedom to lead and learn different topics. For example, we have recently introduced The Polar Regions and Africa as topics in the upper stages.
Social Studies links in well with our work in Citizenship and Enterprise and there are many opportunities for the children to explore themes at a whole school level through our assemblies and Focus Days such as Eco Day, Black History Month and Disabilities.
The key areas of study in Social studies are:
- People, past events and societies
- People, place and environment
- People in society, economy and business
