This practical resource book presents ways in which teachers can help to develop children's problem solving and thinking skills through a range of history topics. The book contains classroom-based activities that have been tried and evaluated by teachers and children. Most importantly, the contributors also show how the skills developed through rigorous historical investigations can be used across all areas of the curriculum. Topics covered include a detailed account of a world history investigation on Ancient Egypt; teaching historical skills using artifacts; small group work on local history, the Vikings and the Second World War; working in depth on aspects of the Tudors; and developing writing skills through a study of the Romans.

These creative off-the-shelf activities will spark children's thinking skills through speaking, listening, reading and writing. Busy teachers wanting to shake up their lessons will find them indispensable. Includes: problem-solving; creative and critical thinking; emotional thinking; questioning skills and plan-do-review formats clear explanation of underpinning theory advice on differentiating activities links to the National Literacy Strategy Framework.

These creative off-the-shelf activities will spark children's thinking skills through speaking, listening, reading and writing. Busy teachers wanting to shake up their lessons will find them indispensable. Includes: problem-solving: creative and critical thinking; emotional thinking; questioning skills and plan-do-review formats clear explanation of underpinning theory advice on differentiating activities links to the National Literacy Strategy Framework.

This book is an essential handbook on teaching primary history, combining subject knowledge with practical teaching ideas to ensure your teaching of history is both imaginative and creative. Emphasizing the importance of history and its wider skillset, the book explores the concepts and skills that are the fundamental building blocks of history teaching such as: • Chronological understanding • Concepts and skills • Interpretation and evidence Each chapter offers a structured approach and provides a range of activities that both address specific elements of the history curriculum and help develop this wider skillset. It includes practical ideas for lessons through an essential toolkit of ideas, teaching strategies and activities, with each activity designed to focus on a key skill or attribute associated with teaching primary history. The practical insights accompanied by a grounded rationale for each aspect of history will help you learn the best methods for approaching the teaching of history in the primary school, as well as plan and deliver effective history lessons. This book is ideal if you are training to teach as it will help you with your assignments and your teaching placements. It is also recommended if you are a more experienced practitioner or history coordinator and want to provide the very best experiences in primary history to children in your school. “An essential and inspirational guidebook for the successful teaching of history within the primary classroom! If you are in any way involved with the teaching of history, you owe it to yourself to read this book. A ‘must have’ for all history coordinators and teachers within the primary sector, from trainees to the experienced, who wish to raise the profile of history within their school. Closely tied to the new primary curriculum, it is enriched with excellent ideas to make history in the classroom a fun and memorable experience.” Julia Wilson, Primary Teacher, Hensingham Primary School, UK “This book is easy to read and will enable all teachers (whatever their stage of career development) to become even better at teaching History. The chapter about the history of the curriculum is particularly interesting because it helps us all to understand what has influenced curriculums and pedagogies over time, whereas the Planning, Assessment and Toolkit chapters are useful on a more practical level. What is particularly ideal for trainee teachers is the Theory into Practice chapter that blends the pedagogy of History with learning theory. I will certainly be recommending this text to all my student teachers.” Maggie Webster, Senior Lecturer and RE Subject Coordinator, Edge Hill University, UK “Chris Russell has provided a gem of a guide with lots of practical advice for the student and practising teacher of history in the primary classroom, as well as a good book to read in its own right." Marian Hodgson, Head Teacher, St Philips CE Primary School, Litherland, UK

Teaching should be exciting and creative but an overcrowded curriculum can make this hard for teachers to achieve. Help is at hand with these literacy and numeracy lesson plans that also cover language development, thinking skills, and drama. Thinking it Through allows teachers to customize lesson plans to meet their own needs using the book's downloadable resources as well as assess pupils language abilty with handy photocopiable assessment worksheets. The book will help each child reach their full potential regardless of ability using ideas for differentiation and extension and structure lessons according to national curriculum objectives.

A much-needed and delightful book. It shows how history can be taught with the meaningful experiences of each child at its centre, making connections between the child, the locality and community, the national and global past and concepts of time. Throughout the authors empower teachers to adopt their philosophy, by showing them how to plan, select resources and strategies and reflect on ideas and case studies. Hilary Cooper, Emeritus professor of history and pedagogy, The University of Cumbria, UK. Bringing History Alive through Local People and Places puts the local environment and community at the heart of history, showing how it can be used as the context for successful history teaching across the primary age range. It considers how to develop children’s concepts and skills through local history, how to link local, national and global aspects of history, and helps you develop your own historical knowledge, understanding and confidence in teaching the subject. Practical topics explored include: Investigating children’s cultural and geographical roots through fieldwork Finding and visiting local museums, archives and heritage sights Choosing and using resources Using significant people, events and buildings to link with national history Environmental education and sustainable development through local history Understanding the links between history and everyday life Planning and assessing history. Based on the latest research and practice in the field, Bringing History Alive through Local People and Places offers an exciting template of creative ideas and activities to show teachers how they can make history relevant to all children.

This book helps teachers incorporate problem-solving and thinking skills into the National Curriculum at the Foundation Phase and Key Stage 1, in line with QCA and DfES recommendations. It presents a range of activities for children aged 4-7 years, all of which have been tried and tested in classrooms. The ideas are cross-referenced with the Learning Objectives of the National Curriculum, and are enhanced with samples of children's work. It provides sections on the core subjects of literacy, numeracy and science, and ideas for project work across the curriculum. This book is aimed at teachers at the Foundation Phase and Key Stage 1. Teacher trainers, student teachers, teaching assistants, parents and all those working in early years settings will find it equally useful.