I like to preface my teaching of Wuthering Heights with a compulsory screening of Kate Bush crying ‘Heathcliff! It’s me, it’s Cathy I’ve come home now!’ and prancing on the moors in a billowy dress while she moans musically about the sad effects of being outdoors in not much more than a nightie. The reaction…
In December 2018 there was an excellent article in the journal Teaching History in which a history teacher had investigated how the writing of historic fiction helped students to construct a better, deeper understanding of the medieval past. In the article, the teacher had carefully structured a series of lessons to help students write their…
A couple of years ago, I was introduced to the concept of flipped learning during a twilight CPL session. The session explored how ‘flipping the learning’ with KS5 was having a positive impact in the classroom and on exam results. In the flipped learning model I was shown, students learned about new concepts through short…
What do we do as teachers when we are trying to help a difficult class make the progress we want them to? Teaching is an unremittingly harsh profession at times; teachers will spend hours worrying over the class or classes that aren’t doing as well as they should. As a result, it is too easy…
If someone had asked me or told me that I had to write a blog post for all to see, I may have broken out in a cold sweat. I would have smiled graciously and said thank you and of course but, inside, I would have immediately begun to think of reasons why I couldn’t. I’m…
Technology in education is here to stay. There is no question about it. We live in a world that is reliant on technology in one way or another; you only need to ask recent passengers on British Airways about the reliance we have on technology. But the question to ask ourselves is how are we…
On Engagement…. Engagement is something I feel can be more than just tangible, if planning, pupil mood, time of day and differentiation all hit the right spot at the right time! These are some of the things I attempt to align with 8Y2, five times a fortnight in order to keep my mental health intact.…
Students look at me as if I am an embarrassing parent, but I see that glimmer of a smile as they walk into my room. Today is ‘Pi Day’ and the perfect excuse to celebrate the magic that is Mathematics. The day begins with a competition in tutor time to see who can recite the…
Our students are going to have to remember a lot. Our current Year 9 Geography class will have to hold the details of the Lesotho Water Highland Project in their heads, ready to apply it to a question in two years time. My Year 10 class are currently very knowledgeable about the problems facing the…
I wish we could dispel the myth that all it takes to be a good teacher is knowledge. You only have to watch five minutes of Jamie’s Dream School to see how ridiculous this assumption is. Teaching is a hard job! I’ve lost count of the number of times a trainee has said to me…
A blog about history teaching and other matters
Collating some of the excellent practice shared on Twitter
Finding & sharing teaching 'bright spots'
Teaching what works
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