I love using maps in the history classroom. I often joke about geography being all about colouring in maps, but in reality, I’m jealous. It might just be me, but I need to locate myself in time. The chronology of most things is an obsession. It might be the date[…]
historians in the classroom
Why I decided to Teach The Silk Roads
Tom Cox explains his rationale for teaching a short unit of work about The Silk Roads.
Don’t tell me interpretations are too difficult for Key Stage 3
As stated in a previous blog, the teaching of historical interpretations is a crucial element of developing your student’s historical thinking. If you want to play the game where your teaching is solely about getting kids to ‘pass the test’, to do well in the 9-1 GCSEs then this is[…]
Please don’t ask year 7 to answer GCSE exam questions
Recently I arranged for Michael Riley to come and work with my initial teacher trainees and their mentors at Sussex University. What a privilege. After all, it was Michael alongside Jamie Byrom who inspired me to teach history the way that I have been for the last 18 years. A[…]
Six strategies for using YouTube clips in the history classroom
Here are 6 Strategies for using You Tube clips in the history classroom. YouTube is such a fantastic resource that when you take a step back it is almost impossible to comprehend. If you’d have told me 20 years ago that I could type a few words into a[…]
A matter of principle
All is quiet. It’s been nearly a month and the government haven’t announced any drastic changes to the school structure, teaching conditions, curriculum or examination system? However, with the half term then Christmas holidays soon to be upon us, there is still plenty of time for new announcements . To[…]
We praise Cottenham Village College for advocating the use of real historians in lessons
It was great to see Cottenham Village College history department highlighted in the TES on Friday (21st September 2012). This report was based on a good practice visit made by ofsted. To view the report click here.The depts message was simple and one which we totally agree with. Teach history[…]