Active Learning on www.thinkinghistory.co.uk

Chronological Understanding

For some reason the mystery of chronological understanding has always been swirling around in my brain. The very first piece I wrote for Teaching History, back in 1979, (yes, 1979) was partly concerned with developing chronological understanding. I think it’s partly because I like overviews – in the language of the Annales school I’m a historical parachutist rather than a truffle hunter although a microlite is a better as well as more up-to-date image for someone who enjoys taking the long-view and seeking the links and comparisons across long spans of time.

This section contains the two articles below which try to unravel some of the puzzle of chronological understanding. There is also much valuable advice on the QCA Innovating with History site (links below) and hopefully KS3 teachers will look at the guidance on KS1/2 and vice-versa.

QCA Site - Chronology for KS2

QCA site - Chronology for KS3

Scroll down for articles and activities

Diachronic Dancing

Alan Kelly’s fascinating quickstep through the issues of developing understanding ‘over time’ – that’s what diachronic means!

Diachronic Dancing ]

Time for Chronology?

This article originally appeared in Teaching History in 2004. Look closely and you may pick out some of the ideas that have found their way into the new NC KS3.

Time for Chronology? ]

 

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Activities that help develop Chronological Understanding

Here is a list of activities:

Making sense of BC and AD

Turn you pupils into a timeline and accelerate their understanding of vital chronological terms

Punishments through Time

An introductory activity that will get students thinking and asking questions and will reinforce their chronological understanding

Comparative Lifetimes

A group activity for comparing periods of history – good for KS2 and KS3 – good for A level synoptic understanding.

Wine Gums, Timelines and Really Big Overviews

The only edible timeline in existence, guaranteed to stretch and develop students’ chronological understanding.

Which ‘Big Events’ were most important in KS3 History?

An overview activity for the end of KS3.

Which people were the most significant in KS3 History?

An overview activity for the end of KS3 that asks students to think about significance.

Timelines for Understanding Duration

Simple techniques for developing a key aspect of chronological understanding

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Muck & Misery in the Middle Ages

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