Letters to a New History Teacher …

… is a series of blogs by Esther Arnott as she experiences “NQT2″ – a return to teaching after a year being a new mum.

Her return has given her similar feelings to those she had as an NQT, but this time around she has a bit of experience to share with herself and you, so these blogs are offered in the hope they support those of you setting out on your own new history teaching journeys – whether as NQTs or trainees on PGCE courses or other schemes. The blog will run through the year as ideas – and reality – strike Esther (and as motherhood allows!).

She’d love to hear from you if you have particular questions, issues or features you’d like addressed – send her a 'comment' from her most recent letter..

25 Jan: Letters to a New History Teacher: No. 14

Esther returns for Spring with positive plans for tackling all the changes in prospect at A level and GCSE ….

18 Dec: Letters to a New History Teacher: Xmas Special

Gifts from the Christmas elves - aka history teachers - for all those new to History teaching

7 Dec: Letters to a New History Teacher: No. 12

Preparing the way for next week’s Christmas-present, plum pudding, tinsel-wrapped Letter Esther asks …..

30 Nov: Letters to a New History Teacher: No. 11

This week Esther sought advice from Richard Kennet about classroom display. What follows is their series of exchanged letters (well, emails!)

23 Nov: Letters to a New History Teacher: No. 10

On how even the best of intentions can have unexpected consequences and we have to rethink our core plan …

9 Nov: Letters to a New History Teacher: No. 9

Marking – it’s essential but there’s so much of it. How can you do justice to your pupils’ efforts without disappearing beneath a mound of books …

2 Nov: Letters to a New History Teacher: No. 8

As the new half-term begins how do you deal with the pressure to do everything brilliantly - and do it now?

12 Oct: Letters to a New History Teacher: No. 7

Maintaining the GCSE momentum – how do you react when students’ enthusiasm begins to wane and the exam course begins to look very long ….

5 Oct: Letters to a New History Teacher: No. 6

Planning for omission, misconception and assumption – what’s going on in children’s minds that can throw a lesson off course? Take the English Reformation ….

28 Sep: Letters to a New History Teacher: No. 5

Beginning to teach A level. Guest letter writer Ian Dawson reflects on some of the puzzles, pitfalls and the joys of teaching A level History.

21 Sep: Letters to a New History Teacher: No. 4

The Battle of Hastings – how hard can it be? The enquiry question’s OK at first but what happens when you realize it’s just not working?

14 Sep: Letters to a New History Teacher: No. 3

Someone else’s sense doesn’t always make sense! You’re picking up a colleague’s scheme of work but what if it doesn’t make complete sense? What works for me is …

7 Sep: Letters to a New History Teacher: No. 2

Continuing my advice to myself! The importance of talking as well as writing, getting on top of marking and the critical importance of team-work …

31 Aug: Letters to a New History Teacher: No. 1

Sharing some thoughts that might serve to help - about the importance of starting with what students already know, remembering they’re all someone’s child and the need for planning …