Welcome to Skylarks Class
PE days for Term 3 are:
TUESDAYS & WEDNESDAYS
We are a Year 2 class taught by Mr Addison.
What are we learning about this Term?
What happened to London during the fire of 1666?
This term, we will be travelling back in time to 1666 to explore one of the most dramatic events in London’s history — The Great Fire of London. Through hands‑on activities, historical enquiry, and storytelling, children will discover how the fire started, why it spread so quickly, and how it changed the city forever.
What Happened to London in 1666?
In September 1666, a small fire in a bakery on Pudding Lane grew into a huge blaze that swept across the city. Over four days, the fire destroyed thousands of homes, churches, shops, and important buildings. Much of London was rebuilt afterwards, leading to major changes in architecture, safety, and city planning.
Children will learn:
- How the fire began and why it spread so rapidly.
- What London was like before the fire — narrow streets, wooden houses, and busy markets.
- How people tried to fight the fire using buckets, fire hooks, and early fire engines.
- What happened to families who lost their homes.
- How London was rebuilt to become a safer, stronger city.
WOW Day: Immersive Learning Experience
To bring the topic to life, pupils will take part in a WOW Day, where they will:
- Step into the shoes of Londoners from 1666.
- Explore artefacts, maps, and eyewitness accounts.
- Recreate scenes from the fire to understand how it felt to live through this event.
This immersive experience helps children build empathy and deepen their understanding of the past.
Comparing Life Then and Now
Throughout the unit, pupils will compare:
- Homes: wooden Tudor-style houses vs. modern brick buildings.
- Firefighting: bucket chains vs. today’s fire services.
- City life: crowded medieval streets vs. modern London.
- Safety: how the fire led to new laws and better building materials.
These comparisons help pupils understand how historical events shape the world they live in today.
Skills We’re Developing
Children will:
- Ask and answer historical questions.
- Use evidence from maps, diaries, and paintings.
- Sequence events on a timeline.
- Understand cause and effect.
- Communicate their ideas through writing, drama, and discussion.
Parent Overview
Tapestry
Please click the icon to access Tapestry
