Teacher, visiting lecturer, CPD provider, writer, author, and former member of
@histassoc
primary committee (2017-23). Happy to talk about primary history!
@MissLJAshton
Amazing that you're passionately sharing this too. I find a number of primary schools are using it and would love the chance to talk to you about why this is a poor choice. I try and veer them away from this book.
Why is chronology important as a reference point? Hereโs another reasonโฆ also, putting dinosaurs on your timeline adds confusion as the scale goes out of the window.
Well... we always need a controversial slide in training sessions don't we? Please note, some of them are in to provoke discussion and thought processes! I know there is no singular way to teach history.
Any others you'd add to this?
Someone asked a question about Ancient Egyptians in a teacher's Facebook group so I thought I'd share my response here too... Not perfect but hopefully helps people out.
Lots to say about this:
Lots of people ask about activities in history including what they look like in books. I've attempted to share my approach which you can read on this blog:
Apologies it's a long piece but I tried to cover lots of ground within it!
#couchto5kteachers
week 5 run 3 DONE! The sudden 20 minute run one! This was a proper battle of the mind and less body but can absolutely be done. Feeling rather chuffed with this and 3.5lbs down too ๐
@emmccatt
Sending lots of love your way. That headline is written with a dearth of social awareness and a distinct lack of compassion for others who aren't as lucky as Kate has been.
My first home learning pack is now live on the website:
It is completely free and has been put together in a couple of days including my first work on iMovie. Please share as wide as possible so children can develop their understanding of history.
Thanks
Brand new free resources folder from me. Starting with some PDF timelines for books. KS2 v1 is now live with more to follow. Remember, a resource alone is only as good as the supporting pedagogy!
Customisable version available for paid website members.
27 pages done! It outlines simple, purposeful and hopefully pertinent opportunities to add diversity to the KS1 primary history curriculum!
I'm starting KS2 later this week...
My new blog is now live. It's the prequel to the KS2 chronology display blog:
Thanks to everyone that offered kind words about it and especially those that sent over examples. Would love to know your thoughts on it.
Running some web CPD on an introduction to historical enquiry in September! This is slide number 1 (after the intro). My favourite one is Walk like an Egyptian... based on a song released in 1986. Wah... Huh... what does it add/What is it good for? Absolutely nothing! ๐
This is one of my favourite introductory slides to unpick with teachers in order to think about why history has certain features which shape teaching sequences. The way in which we enact these principles is different to our secondary school counterparts because...
New project that's going to be released for FREEEEE! Short teacher-friendly clips to break chronology down into some of its composite concepts. Video 1 will be sequencing and just needs editing together.
If your school is continuing to learn about the life of Queen Elizabeth II next week, The
@histassoc
have released their resources on her as free access to those that sign up to the website (no payment).
A generous and brilliant gesture:
So, got started with my new chronology videos and starting with KS1. I've done a rough script and supporting scaffold PPT so interested in some initial thoughts...
I can't quite recall who wrote about answers to EQs being an assessment tool a while ago but thanks as it was really useful to think about teaching children both 'what' an answer should include but also teaching them 'how' to produce such an answer.
Here it is! The full contents page for my book!
Part 3 summarises my intentions and provides 2 units of work that follow the model I explore in the rest of the book.
It is available for pre-order and will be out late June/early July
Affiliate link:
My latest chronology video to use in the classroom is here: It would be amazing if you could watch it, like and subscribe to please the algorithm gods please! RTs appreciated.
I'm working on building a list of great books for across the history curriculum. One area I'm lacking in (bizarrely) is Ancient Egypt.
So, what is your favourite Ancient Egyptian fiction book? (Comments as to why are much appreciated)
RTs appreciated.
Spending this afternoon creating the assembly PPT for my remembrance video. It'll be free on my youtube channel and focus on where poppies for remembrance came from. Would key questions to pause and chat about be useful as part of the video or better as a separate 'plan'?
Just added a slide onto my planning for ITT with a section entitled 'crap that can get in the bin' (I may change the phrasing if I'm not brave enough). In primary history, what can get in the bin as it's pointless?
This has been announced today! Feeling very thankful to
@histassoc
for presenting me with this;
@HistoryPrimary
for being a mentor in all things history teaching;
@EmilyDRobinson
for being my secondary teacher and tolerating m; and Miss Reddish from Year 4 too ๐ฅฐ๐๐ฅฐ
New chronology video is now live! It builds on the last one and focuses on linking timelines together. Likes, comments and subs happily received on the video!
Last but not least... answering the EQ!
I know there are limitations to the use of PEEL but do think it is a useful scaffold to introduce children to in order to build a great sense of what 'extended writing' can look like in history which uses their knowledge...
One of the joys of my role is that I can help schoolsโฆ the BEST part is when schools smash ideas out of the park and implement them with such clear vision. This is a timeline of the Great Fire of London which sequences and replicates a school week. Why?
Going to be taking a break from Twitter for a while as my lovely cat Loki died this morning. Feeling really sad and alone so need space to process.
She was a beautiful soul who I loved dearly.
I am often asked about activities using timelines. First, and I would argue most importantly with young children, use them to tell the story of an event... a lifetime etc.
You are narrating a story they don't know and revealing the narrative to them...
Iโve set myself the target of spending time in EYFS this year to start learning more about this magical phase of education. Would love tips on intro books so when I spend time there, Iโve got a better start point
@MrsPrimary_EYFS
,
@SwailesRuth
,
@eyfsteacher_
Just writing an updated version of my Saxon and Viking conflict planning. It features two enquiries to guide the key learning.
Does your school use enquiry questions and, if so, is it a recent change?
Following on from
@Mr_S_Tiffany
insightful CPD. Iโve Started to create some examples of how we might scaffold to help our children understand historical concepts.
A great way to start the day! You have to teach an overview which includes the Indus civilisation in Ks 2 alongside Egypt! Listen to this for subject knowledge from
@greg_jenner
and use the great
@histassoc
scheme!
Loved todayโs training session in Preston talking all about timelines. If they have a clear purpose, simply presented, they can support so much understanding. This is the outcome of a modelled activity with teachers in Key Stage 1. ๐
Our Y2 timeline, created together as a class, after some fab CPD based on work by the wonderful
@Mr_S_Tiffany
๐ The children refer to this so often now and we keep adding to it. One of my favourite parts of the classroom at the moment.
Chapter 1 - here it is...
Before we start - intended to prompt reflection on what I'm going to explore in each chapter.
This chapter focuses on where my love of the subject comes from and how it shapes the manner in which I teach it.
Hope you like it...
Either smirking like a psychopath or grinning like a buffoon... you decide! Thrilled to be an honorary fellow of
@histassoc
. It is down to the brilliant teachers I've had; the stunning lecturers I was trained by; the outstanding teachers I've worked with and family I adore! ๐ฅฐ
Something new that I'm playing around with for the week ahead. Any key areas you'd suggest considering
@MissSDoherty
,
@Suchmo83
,
@Mr_AlmondED
,
@Kieran_M_Ed
... I've got several ideas in place at the moment but am looking to extend and collate with others ๐
Hello, does anyone work in a small school? (Less than 1FE) I am planning a new CPD type for smaller schools with very limited budgets.
Can people tag those that this applies to so I can ask them a couple of questions via DM.
Reposts and Tags appreciated.
I will get this new unit completed... If you don't know about Abbasid Baghdad, the Silk Roads, The House of Wisdom, do look into it because it's so interesting!
A beautifully written book! I loved it! The story flows naturally and the world the kingdom of Benin truly shines. Recommend if youโre teaching it as a non-European society.
@Teacherglitter
2) It allowed me to set up a separate history page and business which I adore. I now get to do both and it's made me a healthier and happier person.
Whatever the reasons, it doesn't make a teacher worse or less involved - just different.