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Understanding and Teaching Primary History
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Understanding and Teaching Primary History



March 2020 | 248 pages | SAGE Publications Ltd

Primary history is one of the richest areas of teaching and learning, but in order to teach it well trainee teachers need a strong understanding of key historical concepts and the dynamics of the national curriculum.

Combining a detailed focus on the core skills and principles underpinning good history teaching, this book helps students to:

·         appreciate the key concepts that underpin historical understanding

·         engage deeply with the programmes of study for Key Stage 1 and 2

·         assess children’s historical understanding 

·         apply a cross-curricular approach to teaching

This is essential reading for anyone studying primary history on initial teacher education courses including undergraduate (BEd, BA with QTS), postgraduate (PGCE, SCITT), school-based training (School Direct, Teach First), and qualified teachers who wish to enhance their professional knowledge. 

 
Chapter 1: Introduction
 
Chapter 2: History in the National Curriculum
 
Chapter 3: Concepts of Chronology and Change
 
Chapter 4: Enquiry, Interpretation and Significance
 
Chapter 5: Developing Children's Historical Understanding
 
Chapter 6: Narrative, Counterfactualism and Constructivist Learning
 
Chapter 7: Sources of Historical Evidence
 
Chapter 8: Key Stage 1 History
 
Chapter 9: Key Stage 2 History (Part 1)
 
Chapter 10: Key Stage 2 History (Part 2)
 
Chapter 11: Cross-Curricular and Thematic Links
 
Chapter 12: Assessing Historical Understanding

A comprehensive discussion and guide to teaching primary history. Emphasises the importance of key concepts and skills as well as a knowledge rich approach. I particularly like the discussion and promotion of narrative in primary history teaching.

Miss Ruth Benton
Education, University of St Mark And St John
May 3, 2020

James Percival

James Percival studied history and philosophy as an undergraduate, and subsequently trained as a primary teacher with history as his specialist subject. After a 10-year teaching career in several Oxfordshire schools, having taught in both key stages, acted as curriculum coordinator and mentored teacher trainees and Newly Qualified Teachers, he transferred into teacher training at Oxford Brookes University in 2004. James has subsequently worked with trainee teachers across several programmes whilst developing a research profile in primary history pedagogy. His doctorate centred on the curriculum management of history in primary schools. More About Author