Each section of this unit begins by highlighting articles based on the current National Curriculum, and is followed by earlier pieces that are still worth reading. Please note that while the core advice is still relevant, articles from editions published prior to Primary History 66 will be based on the old National Curriculum.

1. Stone Age to Iron Age
2. Romans, Saxons and Vikings
3. Ancient Civilisations
4. Ancient Greece
5. Non European
6. Local
7. Development Study
8. Post-1066

1. Stone Age to Iron Age

• Michael Riley, ‘Why we need to teach about the history of trees and woodland (and how we might do it)’, PH 96, spring 2024.
• Richard Harris, ‘The Amesbury Archer’, PH 93, spring 2023
• Tim Lomas, ‘Using ancient monuments to help teach about pre-Roman times in Britain’, PH 90, spring 2022.
• Paul Bracey, ‘Teaching these islands from prehistoric times to 1066’ PH 89, autumn 2022.
• Helen Crawford, ‘Just a pile of stones? Exploring the Rollright Stones as part of your Stone Age to Iron Age study’ PH 88, summer 2021
• Alf Wilkinson, ‘How did a volcano affect life in the Bronze Age’ PH 87, Spring 2001
• Karin Doull, ‘Turning technology: making life better in Iron Age Britain’ PH 83, autumn 2019
• Karin Doull, ‘The Bronze Age: what was so special about copper and tin?’ PH 82, summer 2019
• Alf Wilkinson, ‘Rethinking the Stone Age to Bronze Age’ PH 81, spring 2019
• Tony Pickford, ‘The Standing Stone’ PH 78, spring 2018. With coordinator notes. Prehistory.
• Elaine Skates, ‘Teaching pre-history outside the classroom’ PH 75, spring 2017
• Jessica Glennard, Suzanne Mohabir, Jacob Short and Gabrielle Surman, ‘Our Iron Age challenge: developing historical understanding through building an Iron Age house’ PH 73, summer 2016
• James Taylor, ‘The Stone Age conundrum: making use of a local site to develop historical knowledge and enthusiasm for the Stone Age’ PH 73, summer 2016
• Graham Birrell and Marion Green, ‘Who’s afraid of the Big Bad Bronze Age? The first cross-channel ferry’ PH 71, autumn 2015. Ideas, case studies, subject leader notes on teaching the Bronze Age.
• Bev Forrest, Jon Nichol and Dave Weldrake, ‘Windmill Hill: a visual image at a prehistoric scene’ PH 66 spring 2014. Image and teaching ideas.
• Francis Pryor, Hilary Morris and Wessex Archaeology, ‘Stone Age to Iron Age – overview and depth’ PH 66, spring 2014. Includes a range of activities, resources and what the co-ordinator might do.

Also:

• Julia Dauban with John Crossland, ‘Working with Gifted and Talented Children at an Iron Age Hill Fort in North Somerset’, PH 51, spring 2009
• Lucy Bradley, ‘Prehistory in the Primary Curriculum: A Stonehenge experience to remember’, PH 51, spring 2009.
• Maureen Grantham, ‘Pre-history on Bodmin Moor’ in PH 12, March 1996. Covers first farmers, Bronze Age and Celts.

2. Romans, Saxons and Vikings

• Alf Wilkinson, ‘Were all Romans in Roman Britain from Rome, Miss?’ PH 97, summer 2024
• Karin Doull, ‘Trade – lifeblood of the empire: how trade affected life in Roman Britain’ PH 91, summer 2022.
• Paul Bracey, ‘Teaching these islands from prehistoric times to 1066’ PH 89, autumn 2022.
• Tim Lomas, ‘Viking and Anglo-Saxon struggle for the kingdom of England’ PH 69, spring 2015.
• Polly Tucknott, ‘Portchester Saxon Settlement’ in PH 69, spring 2015.
• Tim Lomas, ‘Britain’s settlement by Anglo-Saxons and Scots’, PH 68, autumn 2014
• Alf Wilkinson, ‘Sandbach Cross: an Anglo Saxon market cross’ PH 68, autumn 2014. Images and teaching ideas.

Image and teaching ideas.

• Carol Jackson and Darius Jackson, ‘I have to stop Mrs Jackson’s family arguing: developing a big picture of the Romans, Anglo-Saxons and Vikings’ PH 87, Spring 2021
• Alf Wilkinson, ‘What can you tell about the Vikings from a chess piece?’ PH 85, Summer 2020.
• Sue Temple, ‘Teaching the Romans in Britain: a study focusing on Hadrians Wall’ PH 85, Summer 2020.
• Matthew Sossick, ‘The Anglo Saxons: push, pull, cause and consequence’ PH 82, summer 2019
• Poster: Anglo Saxon houses and artefacts PH centrespread PH 82, summer 2019
• Hugh Moore, ‘Ordinary Roman life: using authentic artefacts to achieve meaning’ PH 80, autumn 2018.
• Summer Resource for Primary History 2018. By Sue Temple. Romans in Britain. A scheme of work aimed at Years 3 and 4 covering why they invaded, how much resistance and their legacy.
• Sarah Whitehouse and Penelope Harnett, ‘The Vikings: ruthless killers or peaceful settlers?’ PH 77, autumn 2017. Includes co-ordinator notes.
• Alf Wilkinson, ‘The gall nuts and lapis trail: what can you tell about Anglo-Saxon trade from ink?’ PH 76, summer 2017
• Ilona Aronovsky, ‘A trail of garnet and gold: Sri Lanka to Anglo-Saxon England: what can weapons and jewellery tell us about Anglo Saxons and the wider world?’ PH 76, summer 2017.
• Karin Doull, ‘Anglo-Saxon women’ PH 74, autumn 2016.
• Catherine McHarg, ‘Reconstructing the Romans’. PH 70, summer 2015. Image of Chester Amphitheatre with teaching ideas
• Sue Temple, ‘The Roman Empire and its impact on Britain’ PH 70, summer 2015. Includes subject leader notes.

Also:

• Barbara Bailey and Lynne Minett, ‘The world on the Wall: exploring diversity on Hadrians Wall’, PH 65, autumn 2013
• Hilary Claire, ‘Political literacy: citizenship through the English national curriculum’s Romans in Britain study unit’ PH 64, summer 2013.
• Hugh Moore, ‘QR (Quick Response) bar codes: instant website access for historical sources and field work’ in PH 62, autumn 2012. Covers Roman Britain.
• Nuffield Primary History Project, ‘Sutton Hoo: Classroom Archaeology in the Digital Age’, PH 54, spring 2010. Saxons
• Jon Nichol, ‘Classroom Archaeology: Sutton Hoo or the Mystery of the Empty Grave’ PH 51, spring 2009.
• Alison Gove-Humphries, Paul Bracey and Darius Jackson, ‘Here come the Vikings! Making a saga out of a Crisis’, PH 50, autumn 2008.
• John Rainer and Pat Hoodless, ‘Case Study 5: Dramatising Boudicca and the Celts: A Case Study from the Classroom’ PH 48, spring 2008.
• Hilary Claire, ‘Citizenship: Citizenship through the English National Curriculum’s The Romans in Britain Study Unit’ in PH 45, spring 2007. Plenty of ideas for teaching the Romans.
• Tim Lomas, ‘Teaching Romans, Saxons and Vikings’ (Co-ordinators dilemma) in PH 37, summer 2004.
• Rick Weights, ‘Hands On Archaeology: A Case Study: Visiting the Archaeological Resource Centre in York’, PH 35, autumn 2003.
• Thor Ewing, ‘Cooking the Viking Way’ in PH 13, June 1996.
• Thor Ewing, ‘The Viking Wordsmiths’ in PH 13, June 1996. Includes Viking words, shields etc.

3. Ancient Civilisations

• Lucy Hawker, ‘Unlocking the treasures of early Islam’ PH 97, summer 2024.
• Richard Harris, ‘Why are there so many mummies in Western museums?’ PH 95, autumn 2023
• Stephen Parr, ‘One of my favourite history places: Luxor, Egypt’ PH 92, autumn 2022.
• Kate Rigby, ‘Significant anniversaries: the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb’ PH 92, autumn 2022.
• Susie Townsend, ‘Two women linked across three thousands years of history: the story of Zheng Zhenxiang and Lady Fu Hao’ PH 92, autumn 2022.
• Ilona Aronovsky, ‘Think like an archaeologist: Investigating Indus Valley artefacts in the primary classroom’ PH 91, summer 2022.
• Ilona Aronovsky and Akshyeta Suryanarayan, ‘Bringing an archaeologist into the classroom’, PH 91, summer 2022.
• Rosanna Evans, ‘Instead of mummies made with loo roll: how museum collections make ancient Egypt, and the people who lived there, real’ PH 91, summer 2022.
• Kate Rigby, ‘Supporting colleagues to develop their subject knowledge – the role of the subject leader’ PH 88, summer 2021. Examples of Ancient Egypt
• Karin Doull, ‘Teaching Ancient Egypt: developing subject knowledge’ PH 88, summer 2021
• Susie Townsend, ‘Ancient Sumer: the cradle of civilisation’ PH 87, Spring 2021.
• Matthew Laban, ‘Language and Communication in the Ancient World’ PH 86, autumn 2020.
• Alf Wilkinson, ‘Ankhu and Nebu of Deir el Medina’ PH 84, spring 2020 Ancient Egypt
• Alf Wilkinson, ‘Miss, did the Romans build pyramids?’ (ancient societies who built pyramids) PH 83, autumn 2019
• Alf Wilkinson, ‘Texts for the Classroom: Ma’ats Feather by Juliet Desailly’ PH 78, spring 2018. Ancient Egypt.
• Alice Kirk, ‘The Shang Dynasty: How to investigate history through art and explore art through history’ PH 78, spring 2018
• Jules Wooding, ‘Mummified cat embalmed in linen cloth’ PH 74, autumn 2016. Egyptian image and teaching ideas.
• Karin Doull, ‘What made Cleopatra so special?’ PH 74, autumn 2016
• Paul Bracey, ‘So was everyone an ancient Egyptian? Developing an understanding of the world in ancient times’ PH 73, summer 2016.
• Alun Morgan, ‘Searching for the Shang in Shropshire’ PH 72, spring 2016
• Alf Wilkinson, ‘The Shang: what can we tell about an ancient civilisation from one tomb?’ PH 70, summer 2015. Including subject leader notes.
• Dr Catherine Parker Heath, ‘Ancient Sumer’ PH 69, spring 2015
• Ilona Aronovsky, ‘Investigating the Indus Valley 2600-1900 BC’ PH 68, autumn 2014
• Karin Doull, ‘Teaching Ancient Egypt’ PH 67, summer 2014. Plenty of teaching ideas.

Also:

• Caroline Meller, ‘Mesopotamia’ PH 65, autumn 2013
• Caitlin Bates, ‘A creative Egyptian project’ PH 63, spring 2013.
• Ilona Aronovsky with Kate Benson and Ann Plummeridge, ‘Animation: A tool to develop historical understanding’ PH 62, autumn 2012. Example of Indus Valley.
• Meg Friis, ‘Egyptians, Embalming and Experiences’ PH 61, summer 2012. Based on ITT placement at Leeds City Museum.
• Jane Shuter, ‘Throw away the old worksheets!’ PH 54, spring 2010. Artefacts for Ancient Egypt.
• Tim Lomas, ‘Teaching Ancient Egypt’ (Co-ordinators dilemma) in PH 34, spring 2003.
• Ilona Aronovsky, ‘Teaching the Indus Valley Civilisation in the 21st century’, PH 33, winter 2002.
• Ilona Aronovsky, ‘Resourcing the Indus Valley Civilisation, a Key Stage 2 Non-European Civilisation’ in PH 22, April 1999.
• Jeanette L Philp, ‘An Approach to Studying Ancient Egypt’ in PH 13, June 1996. A little old fashioned but some good valid ideas.

4. Ancient Greece

• Primary History summer resource 2024: Reconsidering the Ancient Greeks
• Nichola Philpott, ‘My favourite monument: the Acropolis, Athens’, PH 93, spring 2023
• Alf Wilkinson, ‘How an atlas and a very old map can help us make sense of the ancient Greeks’, PH 90, spring 2022.
• Alf Wilkinson, ‘Whatever did the Greeks do for us?’ PH 89, autumn 2022
• Karin Doull, ‘A cultural legacy: the theatre of ancient Greece’ PH 85, Summer 2020
• Alf Wilkinson, ‘Wot, no women? Did all Ancient Greek women stay at home and weave?’ PH 76, summer 2017
• Jerome Freeman and Jon Nichol, ‘Teaching the Ancient Greeks’, PH 71, autumn 2015. Includes Olympic Games.

Also:

• ‘Teaching Possibilities from Plato to Nato’, PH 58, summer 2011
• ‘Primary History and Planning for Teaching the Olympics – Four Curricular Models’ PH 58, summer 2011.
• Nuffield Primary History, ‘Your Victorian (and Greek) Olympic Games’ PH 58, summer 2011.
• Peter Vass, ‘Making links: Myths, legends and problem-solving with the Greeks’, PH 53, autumn 2009.
• Alf Wilkinson, ‘Putting the Story back into History’ PH 43, spring 2006. Teaching Ancient Greece.
• Hamel, Kevin, ‘The Odyssey: A Musical and Historical Journal’ in PH 24, January 2000; The role of music. Examples largely from Ancient Greece.
• Anita Markan, ‘Living Pictures, Living History’ in PH 21, January 1999. A living tableau with Y5/6 children studying Ancient Greece.
• Vincent Jones, ‘How a Little Hollywood can help History’ in PH 16, June 1997. Film in teaching the Ancient Greeks
• Harriett Martin, ‘An Active Approach to Ancient History: The Greeks’ in PH 14, November 1996. Strong emphasis on archaeology.
• Keith Dickson, ‘Using Greek Vases in a Study of the Greeks at Key Stage 2’ in PH 13 June 1996.
• Patrick Wood, ‘How to make a Corinthian Helmet’ in PH 13, June 1996.
• Patrick Wood, ‘Begin at the Beginning: The Iliad’ in PH 13, June 1996. Literature in Ancient Greece..

Teaching about the Olympics.

• Hilary Cooper, ‘Story, Myth and Legend: The Story of Atalanta’ PH 58, summer 2011.
• Will Griffiths, ‘Ancient Greece: Birthplace of the Olympics – Teacher Briefing’ PH 58, summer 2011.
• Pat Hoodless, ‘The Olympic Games, Classical and Modern’ PH 58, summer 2011.
• Jacquie Dean, ‘Investigating the Ancient Olympic Games: A Case Study’ PH 58, summer 2011.
• Peter Vass, ‘Ancient Greeks: The Olympics’ War Games: Teaching through Drama’ PH 58, summer 2011.

5. Non-European

• Lucy Hawker, ‘Unlocking the treasures of early Islam’ PH 97, summer 2024.
• Karin Doull, ‘Benin: exploring an African empire at Key Stage 2 – why is it worth studying’, PH 94, summer 2023
• Karin Doull, ‘Baghdad: What were its connections across the medieval world?’ PH 93, Spring 2023
• Karin Doull, ‘Trade and pilgrimage in the Abbasid Caliphate’ PH 81, spring 2019
• Polly Tucknott, ‘Why stop at the Tudors? Enhancing an understanding of the sixteenth century through a comparative study of Benin’ PH 79, summer 2018.
• Alf Wilkinson, ‘What can you tell about the Maya from a Spanish soldier?’, PH 78, spring 2018.
• Alf Wilkinson, ‘Studying the Maya: a case study in making history accessible to all pupils’ PH 74, autumn 2016
• Ayshah Ismail, ‘Early Islamic Civilisation’ PH 69, spring 2015. Plenty of resources and co-ordinator notes.
• Paul Bracey, ‘What do we mean by Big Picture History?’ PH 68, autumn 2014. Includes overall plans and Maya case study.
• Genner Llanes-Ortiz, Diane Davies and Ian Mursell, ‘The Maya: a 4000 year old civilisation in the Americas’ PH 68, autumn 2014
• Alf Wilkinson, ‘Curriculum Planning: which non-European society might we offer as school?’ PH 67, summer 2014.
• Paul Bracey, Chad McDonald, Kayleigh Billins, Kerry Kup and Michael Knight, ‘Eweka’s story: Benin, Big Picture History and the National Curriculum for History 2014’ PH 67, summer 2014. Includes co-ordinator notes

6. Local

• Paul Bracey, ‘Opportunities for making use of your local park’ PH 97, summer 2024
• Rachel Bruce and Susannah Russell, ‘Teaching local history in primary schools: learning about effective practice from the British Association for Local History/Historical Association Teacher Fellowship’, PH 94, summer 2023
• Stuart Boydell and Verity Downing, ‘How local history can bridge the gap from teaching Understanding the World in the EYFS to teaching history in Key Stage 1’, PH 93, spring 2023
• Alf Wilkinson, ‘Artefacts in the neighbourhood’ PH 92, autumn 2022.
• Susie Townsend, ‘What’s in a road? Local history at Early Years and Key Stage 1’, PH 91, summer 2022.
• Dan Lyndon-Cohen, ‘Exploring empire, artefacts and local history’ PH 88, summer 2021
• Kate Thomson and Tracey Wire, ‘Take one day: undertaking an in-depth local enquiry’ PH 87, Spring 2021.
• George Skinner and Judith Peel, ‘Belmont’s evacuee children: a local history project’ PH 87, Spring 2021.
• Karin Doull, ‘Come all ye fisher lassies’ PH 85, Summer 2020. Herring fishing.
• Helen Crawford, ‘Using a house for your local history study’ PH 82, summer 2019
• Tim Lomas, ‘Teaching local history through a family’ PH 81, spring 2019
• Summer Resource for Primary History 2018, by Alf Wilkinson. World War II and Local History Many source extracts including oral testimony. Examples from different parts of the country and India with useful sources of information.
• Susie Townsend, ‘Not again! An additional viewpoint on using railways’ PH 76, summer 2017.
• Tim Lomas, ‘A local history investigation in Key Stage 2: probably one of the best resourced themes you can find – your local railway’ PH 75, spring 2017.
• Anna Husband, ‘Local history as a way of developing a sense of identity and place’ PH 74, autumn 2016
• Lynne Dixon and Alison Hales, ‘What makes good local history?’ PH 71, autumn 2015. Includes case studies and subject leader notes.

Also:

• Charlotte Blanch and Catherine McHarg, ‘Chronology and Local History: Year 6’ PH 59, autumn 2011.
• Ben Screech, ‘Using a local historical figure as a stimulus for history in the English National Curriculum’ PH 55, summer 2010. Cross curricular.
• John Fines, ‘Doing Local History’ PH 55, summer 2010.
• Barbara Sands, ‘Planning for Local History in the New Curriculum: A Teachers Perspective’ PH 55, summer 2010
• Nick Hasted, ‘Case Study 5: Local History: A pupil-led study with 9-10 year olds’, PH 47, autumn 2007. Aimed at gifted and talented.
• Emma Valerio, ‘Scheme of Work for a Local History of Southall designed for Year 5’ in PH 39, spring 2005. Focus on buildings and the changes.
• Richard Knights, ‘Developing a Local History Project based on a Local Industry’ PH 39, spring 2005. Example of British Insulated Callenders Cables of Prescot, St Helens.
• Jayne Pascoe, ‘Researching the History of the Fire Service in the Local Community’, PH 30, January 2002.
• Tim Lomas, ‘How do we ensure really good Local History in Primary Schools?’, PH 30, January 2002..

7. Development Study:

• Tim Lomas, ‘How much has the weather mattered in British history? A possible development study’, PH 96, spring 2024
• Karin Doull, ‘The Coronation’, PH 93, spring 2023
• Vikki Pearson, ‘The world at our feet: a history of shoes’, PH 92, autumn 2022.
• Susie Townsend, ‘Sporting legacy: the history of endeavour’ PH 89, autumn 2022.
• Damienne Clarke, ‘Changes in an aspect of social history from 1945 to 2000: Youth culture, music and identity’ PH 88, summer 2021
• Matthew Laban, ‘Language and Communication in the Ancient World’ PH 86, Autumn 2020.
• Karin Doull, ‘Come all ye fisher lassies’ PH 85, Summer 2020. Herring fishing.
• Paul Bracey and Darius Jackson, ‘Migration to Britain through time’ PH 85, Summer 2020.
• Tim Lomas, ‘Teaching crime and punishment as a post-1066 theme’ PH 83, autumn 2019
• Liz Egan, ‘Pain, pus and blood: the history of medicine – warts and all for Key Stage 2’ PH 82, summer 2019
• Karin Doull, ‘To boldly go: exploring the explorers for primary history’ PH 80, autumn 2018. Covers KS1 and KS2
• Ian Dawson, ‘Having fun through time: planning a unit to extend pupils chronological knowledge past 1066’ PH 77, autumn 2017.
• Sally Sculthorpe, ‘Overground, underground and across the sea: communications’ PH 76, summer 2017. Covers KS1 and KS2
• Allison Robinson, ‘A development study for Key Stage 2: poverty in Britain’ PH 72, spring 2016
• Alf Wilkinson, ‘Making the most of the post-1066 unit: looking at continuity and change over 10,000 years’ PH 75, spring 2017. Focus on houses and homes.
• Matthew Sossick, ‘Who lived in and changed Britain from the Iron Age to the time of Robin Hood c.1200’ PH 67, summer 2014.

8. Post-1066

• Paul Spear, ‘Dig for Sustainability!’ PH 96, spring 2024
• Paul Bracey, ‘Going to school: a post-1066 thematic study’, PH 95, autumn 2023
• Debbie Doolan, ‘World War II: how local expertise and continued refinement breathed life into an enquiry in a Somerset school’, PH 94, summer 2023
• Bee Rowlatt and Kirsty Ruthven, ‘Significant people: Why its worth considering Mary Wollstonecraft’, PH 94, summer 2023
• Matthew Sossick, ‘Why teaching the Wars of the Roses in primary history might be challenging but a good idea’, PH 94, summer 2023
• Paul Bracey, ‘Teaching about “these islands” since 1066’, PH 93, spring 2023
• Penny Byrne, ‘What’s in your pocket, Peg? A story book about living in Jersey during German Occupation in World War II’, PH 93, spring 2023
• Helen Otterwell, ‘Teaching about the German occupation of Jersey through the Occupation Tapestry’, PH 93, spring 2023
• Andrew Wrenn, ‘Teaching the British Empire in primary history: very important but tricky!’ PH 92
• Damienne Clarke, ‘Significant anniversaries in 2022: 50th anniversary of the UK’s first official Pride march: 1 July 2022’, PH 90, spring 2022
• Helen Crawford, ‘Ten texts for the Platinum Jubilee’ PH, 90, spring 2022.
• Karin Doull, ‘The Queen in Procession’, PH 90, spring 2022.
• Kate Rigby, ‘Happy and Glorious: exploring and celebrating the Platinum Jubilee’ PH 90, spring 2022.
• Matthew Sossick, ‘Using photographic evidence to explore the impact of the Berlin Wall’ PH 90, spring 2022.
• Edward Washington, ‘Female migration to Australia’, PH, 90, spring 2022.
• Tim Lomas, ‘How can we teach about medieval Britain in primary schools’, PH 86, Autumn 2020
• Matthew Sossick, ‘The Phoney War: Breadth and depth in teaching and learning about World War II’ PH 83, autumn 2019
• Paul Bracey, ‘The Blitz: All we need to know about World War II? Relating an event to a bigger picture of the past’ PH 81, spring 2019
• Paul Bracey, ‘Elizabethan times: Just banquets and fun? Developing a sense of period and chronology by exploring an aspect of the past since 1066’ PH 80, autumn 2018
• Summer Resource for Primary History 2018. By Alf Wilkinson: World War II and Local History. Many source extracts including oral testimony. Examples from different parts of the country and India with useful sources of information
• Vivien Southall, ‘Bringing the Civil War to Life in Somerset’ PH 75, spring 2017. Includes co-ordinator notes.
• Steven Jolly, ‘This is no ordinary story.,.this is our story…Teaching the First World War in the primary school’ PH 74, autumn 2016
• Mel Jones and Kerry Somers, ‘Commemorating Agincourt as part of the primary curriculum’ PH 73, summer 2016. Based on HA Teacher Fellowship
• Paul Bracey, ‘From Home to the Front: World War 1 in the primary history classroom’ PH 69, spring 2015. Covers KS1 and 2.
• Sue Temple, ‘Victorians’, PH 67, summer 2014. Includes themes, teaching, resources.

Also:

• Nicola Caskey, ‘A Project on Working Class Education in the Victorian Period’, PH 36, spring 2004. Information about types of schools and how this can be taught to pupils.