Let's Go on Holiday: A Look Back at Our Learning Journey

What an extraordinary few weeks it has been in Year 1! Our IPC 'Hooray… Let's Go on Holiday' unit took the class on a remarkable journey through time and across the globe. The enthusiasm and curiosity that students brought to every lesson made it truly memorable.

The class started by mapping their own holidays on a class map. Students then mapped their local area, developing their geographical awareness and beginning to understand the world around them in a more concrete way. This activity helped ground their learning in something personal and relevant, which made their engagement all the richer.

Sorting holidays was another highlight of the unit. Students worked together to group different types of holidays — by destination, by activity, by season, and more. This task encouraged critical thinking and collaboration, as children shared their ideas, debated their choices, and listened to one another's reasoning. It was wonderful to see how confidently they articulated their thoughts and how respectfully they engaged with differing opinions.

One of the most thought-provoking parts of the unit involved comparing seaside trips from the past to those of today. Students examined old photographs, read secondary sources, and discussed how holidays have changed over the decades. They noticed differences in clothing, transport, activities, and technology, and asked some genuinely insightful questions about why these changes might have occurred. This comparison helped develop their historical thinking and gave them a richer understanding of how life has evolved over time.

The unit ended with an exciting exploration of the ancient wonders of the world. Using VR headsets, the class stepped beyond the classroom walls and came face to face with some of history's most iconic landmarks. Students gazed at towering pyramids, marvelled at ancient ruins, and experienced places they had never imagined visiting. This immersive activity sparked wonderful conversations, sharing their preferences, ranking the landmarks and explaining why people might visit these places for a holiday.

Throughout the unit, students shared their opinions on a wide range of topics — from their dream holiday destinations to what they thought made a holiday special. These discussions were lively, thoughtful, and full of personality. Children made brilliant connections between different aspects of their learning, drawing links between geography, history, and their own lived experiences. It was an absolute joy to watch the class grow in both curiosity and confidence over the course of this unit. They approached every challenge with enthusiasm and showed a genuine eagerness to learn and discover.