Well this week the wonderful elves – aka history teachers – have been busy making gifts to NQTs, those new to teaching or those returning to teaching like me (and you). Each gift is in the form a tweet-tip… Here’s a round up for your delectation!
Above all, the elves advise you to walk, not run, in your history teaching career… And to complete that marathon with help:
@MrsHall_History
The past is vast. You can’t be an expert on it all. Don’t be afraid to seek advice on teaching some topics.
@MrAllsopHistory
Further to that [@MrsHall_History, above] I’d say the best CPD I’ve ever had is joining Twitter. Get online and build a PLN! …and include teachers outside your subject. Lots of great ideas can be borrowed and adapted. Magpie!
@MrsHall_History
No point reinventing the wheel.
@HelenGoncalves4
Tip: Find like minded soul(s) to work collaboratively with before/during the NQT year. Professional networks last a lifetime!
But the elves gift you a word of warning…
@HistoryResource
Constantly steal the best ingredients for cooking up fab lessons but realise if you use ’em all at once u might ruin your dinner
The elves also suggest you might try to keep your own knowledge current:
@MrAllsopHistory
Maintain a good knowledge of current affairs (esp. teen pop culture) because some students benefit from analogies.
@SHS_Humanities
Look for opportunities to develop their curiosity outside of the classroom… ‘Today in History’, ‘history in the news’.
And lots of elves want you to remember to enjoy the STORY in hiSTORY:
@kenradical
Read history. Variety of periods and medium (fiction, blog, graphic novel, non fiction). The more the merrier…BUT only for pleasure. If it becomes a chore stop.
@SimonHarrisonHi
My tip; keep reading History. Teaching forever stretches historical knowledge, embrace it (it’s more fun than marking!)
@freereed59
Give a History NQT a great second hand historical novel for Christmas; deserve time off http://t.co/lPuE9PIYA3
Some elves want you to help children to evaluate sources as evidence. They are never just facsimiles of the past:
@katnoodle76
Get stuck into the problem of exploring “bias” (maybe with a football analogy) and teach the kids how to spell “biased” properly!
@freereed59
Teach usefulness by focusing on perspectives; every view has a viewPOINT
And one particularly playful elf suggests using games to develop conceptual understanding:
@freereed59
Try http://t.co/eYS7MOtX9O and then debate why game doesn’t do historical significance justice
A canny elf advises combining CPD with a money-making scheme:
@MrsThorne
My new history teacher top tip: consider marking for an exam board this summer: it’s great inset (and a good summer bonus!)
Finally, a kindly and incredibly wise elf gives some advice that every one would do well to remember:
@MSheps1180
You will plateau, you will go backward, but whatever you do, always reflect by looking forward.
And as for me? Well, I wish you all a wonderful, warm, happy and peaceful Christmas. Remember to take a proper break, and to refuel with dear friends, family and lashings of fun.
Esther (and Sam)
