Teaching Ideas- The Question Coat

In our History sessions, we often look at ways in which we can address aspects of good history teaching. Our new AT, Chris Gore, shared this technique, that he uses with his class.

He writes...

Hi everyone,

As promised to my PGP4006 History groups (L7, L8 and School’s Direct), I have finally remembered to bring my white laboratory technician’s coat home from school with me. Firstly, as you can see, I am not particularly photogenic at 4:00pm on a Friday afternoon but here is a visual representation of the shirt with key questions adorning the front, back and sleeves as well as being decorated with question marks. I encourage the children to use their investigation shirts across the curriculum as much as possible, particularly within the Foundation Subjects as well as during our investigations as “Super Scientists” in Science.

As I mentioned previously during the sessions, the idea is a source of enjoyment, creativity and a sense of autonomy for the children and is warmly received whenever we have visitors in school and into our classroom.

If you have an interesting History teaching idea that you would like to share with us, please get in touch and leave a comment below.

PED1012 Primary History Workshop

Next week sees the start of the first year foundation subjects. A launch event, next Wednesday, is followed by a series of workshop activities for each of the foundation subjects.

PED1012 is a crucial module for our undergrads, as this sets out the importance of the foundation subjects in the context of a busy Primary School. Not only that, the importance, character and unique aspects of each subject are identified and explored through our sessions and seminars.

Perhaps I'm biased, but History is an essential subject, not only for Primary School aged children to engage with, but also, for well rounded, balanced people of any age, it is of great significance. An interest in the past, in who we are and where we have come from, is a natural instinct. This is an interest that should be nurtured, encouraged and explored throughout our lives and throughout our learning.

Of course, our History sessions focus on more than that and our starting point is going to be the workshop on Wednesday.

Further reading.
Chapter 1 of Hoodless, P. (2008) Teaching History in Primary Schools. Learning Matters. Exeter.

This is available in the Library.

All Greek (and a bit of Roman!)

On Tuesday, our PGCE Primary History trainees continued to investigate ways in which they can 'inspire curiosity' and develop historical knowledge and understanding at the primary age phase.

This week we looked at Ancient Civilisations and trainees took part in a quest to identify Greek gods and goddesses from a series of clues. Using a lesson structure based upon MarketPlace by Paul Ginnis, the trainees worked with their individual pieces of information. They shared and collaborated with each other in order to make sure that everyone in the room could successfully identify the Gods depicted on a (replica) Greek jug.

This active approach demonstrated how a piece of information can spread across the room and be shared with everyone quickly and efficiently.

Through posters, notes and photos, the trainees could not only identify Demeter and Dionysus, but could also recognise opportunities to develop the task further to include other information and aspects of Greek life. We also considered using different types of technology in order to provide an all encompassing learning experience!

In addition, we looked at a Greek Pot from the British Museum collection. From the image on the pot, trainees were encouraged to make judgements and statements about Greek life. This is based on an activity I encountered at the SHP conference at the British Museum last March.

This session also saw trainees take part in a Roman Quiz that explored the more gruesome side of Roman life- sure to appeal to KS2 children!

Sessions are designed to develop pedagogical understanding as well as subject knowledge. It was a long, but rewarding day.

Thanks to all those that took part.
 
Links:-
http://crownhouse.co.uk/publications/look_inside/9781899836765.pdf
http://www.britishmuseum.org/
http://www.schoolshistoryproject.org.uk/Teaching/Primary/Index.htm

Mystery Object.

What is History?

What is History? This was the basis for our discussions during yesterday's Primary PGCE sessions.

Initial responses to the question nearly always include the words; events, people and places and this is a reasonable starting point. Perry White explained to Clark Kent, that a good story includes a Who, What, When and Why and we can take our lead from that, when thinking about good history teaching and investigations.

Of course, history is much more involved than that, our discussion soon moved to thinking about themes within history, types of history and interpretations of history.

The students yesterday were also introduced to the idea of identity, and a sense of belonging, as being an aspect of History that is often explored in primary schools.

Historical skills, concepts and attitudes and values were explored too.

Trail Time

Our PGCE trainees found themselves investigating different aspects of the history of Ormskirk this morning.

Our first stop was the Clock Tower itself!

The Clock Tower, is perhaps the heart of Ormskirk. It stands at a point, known locally, as Market Cross. Nearby, stood the grand King's Arms Hotel and The Talbot Hotel. It's hard to imagine Ormskirk needing two such large hotels today.

Once the trainees had got to grips with the map, we set off towards the Parish church of St Peter and St Paul.

This church is one of only three in England with a Steeple and a Tower. There are other links to the past, such as the location of the Church (the highest point of the town) and the stone work at various points of the building. Local legend tells of two sisters who couldn't agree whether the church should have a tower or a steeple, the solution? Build both. The truth however, is that the tower was built in 1548 to accommodate the bells from the nearby Burscough Priory, that had fallen foul of Henry VIII's Dissolution of the Monasteries 

Derby Street is home to the old Police Station, the Magistrate's court, the old Grammar school and various banks and solicitors. The architecture reveals a town that was once affluent and proud. On the side wall of the Magistrate's Court, you can see the standard feet and yard gauge of 1879. This was used to ensure that measures sold at the market were fair to all parties concerned.

Victoria Park reveals this sandstone monument that commemorates Sergeant Major Nunnery, one of the few survivors from the Charge of the Light Brigade in the Crimean War. It also commemorates the death of three local casualties from the Boer War of 1899-1902.

On our way back towards the town centre, work was taking place at a recently closed restaurant (the cafe bar). A quick peep inside suggests that it will soon be reopening as a bar. However, a previously hidden sign beside the main entrance provided another insight into the life of the town. Intoxicating liquor can be sold from these premises between the hours of 3 and 4pm on Thursdays. This is for 'the accommodation of persons attending the market.'

It was a real pleasure to walk  around the town with the two groups I worked with this morning. I'm really looking forward to our History sessions that begin next week.

Ormskirk Town Trail.

This week we are welcoming our new recruits to their PGCE Primary Education course. History sessions begin next week, however, before that, some trainees will take part in the Ormskirk Town Trail at the launch event this Friday. This is a chance to acquaint themselves with their new location as well as an opportunity to 'bring history alive' and introduce historical ideas and themes for the year ahead.

As the name suggests, the trail is a walk around the town centre of Ormskirk. We will investigate the Saxon origins of the town and consider the agricultural nature of the town's past as well as looking at local industries (such as gingerbread).

The forecast is for a dry day and it promises to be a great morning. 

Welcome to the first post of the EHU Primary History blog.

The intended use for this blog is to support your experiences in any of your primary history sessions. Some of you will encounter history in your foundation sessions and workshops whilst others will develop your knowledge and understanding further in your minor specialism sessions, placements and experiences. Wherever you are in your learning, I hope you find this blog a useful resource.

Explore and enjoy.

Chris