CPD for Primary Teachers
My courses for teachers of history in primary schools aim to achieve four objectives:
- show how active learning techniques can improve pupils’ knowledge and understanding of history
- develop and extend teachers' range of teaching techniques
- increase their confidence as history teachers
- demonstrate that even CPD courses can make them laugh and enjoy learning
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 Suffolk and Kent in 2007.
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
- how teachers would adapt or develop the activity
- when else they might use the technique in their teaching
Session 1
Duration: 75 mins
Guided Role-Play |
The Spanish Armada |
Active Learning |
Principles and benefits |
Delegates involved in the Armada activity |
|
Session 2
Duration: 90 mins
Using Mysteries |
The Skeletons in the Fields |
Washing Lines |
Did the Romans do more harm than good? Would you change places with ...? |
Session 3
Duration: 60 mins
Hot Seating |
Tudor physician, Victorian factory owner |
Board Games |
The Home Front |
Session 4
Duration: 45 mins
Overviews |
Techniques for bringing KS2 History together, including 'A Journey through Time' |
Plenary |
What are you going to take back to school? |
Feedback from Delegates
Bob Damerall, the Cornwall History advisor wrote, after the course in 2005:
.. thanks for coming all the way to Cornwall and doing such an excellent job. The evaluations are superb. One Headteacher said of Making History Active, 'This is the way forward for our school, links well with recent developments in speaking and listening.'
Dale Banham, the Suffolk Humanities Advisor said of the course in Ipswich, 2007:
It was a fantastic day and the evaluations are great
Comments from the delegates include:
Excellent day – our school is looking to revitalise history/humanities. This course will certainly help us to do it!
Great from beginning to end
I have thoroughly enjoyed and hence probably learnt and absorbed a great deal today. I like the ready-to-go activities which I look forward to using.
Will definitely try some of the activities soon. Very well structured and professional.
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.
