Knowledge Organisers

What are Knowledge Organisers?

Knowledge organisers (KOs) are go-to documents which identify the key facts and essential knowledge that pupils need to have to understand a topic. They should be no more than one side of A4 and broken down into easily digestible chunks. They also act as a tool to support children in retaining and retrieving knowledge for life-long learning. Our KOs can be found below.

Teachers use them as a planning tool to highlight the essential knowledge that children need to cover during their topic such as:

Key dates
Key people
Key events
Key vocabulary and definitions,
Images, such as maps or diagrams

How do they help children?

The main benefit of KOs is that they allow children to focus on the ‘bigger picture’ of a topic, subject area or specific concepts. Some topics can be complicated, so having the essential knowledge, clear diagrams, explanations and key terms on one document can be really helpful. Our brains remember things more efficiently when we know the ‘bigger picture’ and can see the way that chunks of knowledge within that subject area link. Another key benefit is their use for retrieval practice which can help us remember more effectively. KOs can also help children develop other skills e.g. when writing a nonfiction report, if they already have the knowledge, they can focus more on their writing skills.

How do they help parents?

Parents will have a better understanding of what the children are expected to learn for their current topic and offer support with this. They can be used as conversation starters to find out what has been learnt at school. You can also:

Encourage your child to carry out their own research around the topic
Visit your local library, museum or a trip to explore the topic
Become familiar with key points
Self quiz at home

Year 1

History (Moon Zoom) - Autumn Term (1)

History (Bright Lights, Big City) - Summer Term (1)

History (Dinosaur Planet) - Summer Term (2)

History (Memory Box) - Spring Term (2)

Geography (Enchanted Woodland) - Spring (1)

Year 2

History (Land Ahoy) - Autumn Term

History (Towers, Tunnels and Turrets) - Spring Term (2) / Summer Term (1)

Science (Growth and Survival) - Spring (1)

Year 3

Year 3 are not using knowledge organisers as they are using the Opening Worlds programme for humanities. Please click here for more information about their units of work:

https://openingworlds.uk/year-3/