‘Active Learning’ at KS3
Improving standards of historical knowledge and understanding
This course focusses on helping teachers to broaden their range of teaching techniques by demonstrating and discussing active learning strategies.
Teachers are fully involved, playing the parts of their students, so the demands are both physical and intellectual!
Ideally courses would be held for between 18 and 24 teachers but I have run them for 4 and for 45!
Exemplar Day Course
This outline is based on courses run in Swansea, Norfolk, Newcastle and Clwyd in 2006.
It is structured around a series of models of activity, each of which is demonstrated and discussed.
For each model we consider:
- what pupils are learning in terms of both topic and understanding of historical processes
- how an activity model could be adapted or developed
- when else in KS3 they might use the technique in their teaching
The topics listed below are examples and can be varied if wished.
Session 1
Duration: 75 mins
Guided Role-Play |
1066: Could it have happened differently? |
Active Learning |
Principles and benefits |
Session 2
Activities for developing chronological understanding
Duration: 90 mins
Using Mysteries & Active Starters |
The Skeletons in the Fields Becket |
Washing Lines |
Optimism/pessimism Change/continuity etc. |
Delegates discussing chronological understanding |
|
Session 3
Duration: 60 mins
Hot Seating |
King John |
Living Graphs |
The Patterns of World War II Rapid Overviews |
Physical Maps & Family Trees |
The Schlieffen Plan |
Session 4
Duration: 45 mins
Creating Communities |
Dissolution of the Monasteries Allton 1347-1349 |
The Big Finish |
Je Suis le Roi |
Feedback from Delegates
After the course in Cardiff in 2005 David Maddox, the ESIS History Inspector wrote:
Just 'a word' to say how much we appreciated your time with us. To read such comments from experienced teachers as: 'the best inset I've attended ' and to see that every teacher gave the top grade in all categories underlines the importance of getting the best practitioners to help us.
The delegates on the KS3 course in Norwich, 2005 said:
Cracking good stuff. Lots of splendid ideas to use and thoughts about adapting what I do.
A really useful and thought-provoking day. Lots of ideas.
Kept my attention all day as we were constantly involved. Best training I’ve been on since starting teaching six years ago.
Superb! I feel quite revitalized.
Excellent course. Recommend this to all History teachers who need a boost or want to develop new ways of teaching.
Best course I’ve ever been on. Ian was even better than I’d heard he would be. Pacy, varied and lots of fun. I was especially pleased that I left with lots of practical ideas which will benefit my pupils.
Fantastic speaker. Lots of inspirational ideas that don’t take too much time to prepare.
How to Book your Course
Contact me to discuss the details of your course - the programme, availability, fees and other costs - using the [ contact form ].
I am happy to discuss variations on the outline shown above.
