Knowledge Categories

"Understanding what knowledge actually is, and isn’t, is important in developing sequences of work for students so they acquire the body of knowledge detailed in your curriculum. This body of knowledge is known as a schema. Schema theory states that all knowledge is organised into groups. Schemas (or schemata) are meaningful groups of knowledge made up of ‘intertwined’ procedural (eg handwriting, calculation strategies),semantic (eg. number sense, chronology of events) and episodic knowledge (eg. trips, visits). " (Quigley, The Problem with Knowledge Organisers, 2021)

In order to help children to group new knowledge with previously learned knowledge, and thus build their schema, we use knowledge categories in each subject area.

For example, when learning about the Gunpowder Plot in Year 2, knowledge of the Houses of Parliament originally being built in 1097 by William II and used as a royal residence can be categorised under settlements. Similarly, when learning about the Mayan Civilization in Year 6, knowledge of the Mayan cities and surrounding farmland can also be grouped under the knowledge category settlements.