Key stage 2-3 History Transition Project: sample scheme of work on Alexander the Great

This resource was created as part of the above project whose activities are described in the introduction to Resource D.  Three teachers, Geraint Brown (an AST) and Matt Stanford, both of Cottenham Village College, and Dave Morel of Cottenham Primary School, collaborated to write and teach a history scheme of work on Alexander the Great as an extension to study of the Ancient Greeks in years 5 & 6.  As with other schemes of work on the website, the enquiry 'Why do film-makers and historians say different things about Alexander the Great?' is intended to exemplify best practice in the study of interpretations of history, literacy and the use of ICT.  It models:

• a stepped-enquiry approach where the overarching enquiry question is approached through carefully worked sub-questions around which activities are grouped
• how Christine Counsell's cardsorting strategies can be adapted and used in different ways to build historical understanding throughout an enquiry
• activities that expand pupils' use of specific vocabulary such as the historical term 'great' and deepen conceptual understanding in the style of James Woodcock
• how speaking, listening and the use of visual aids are vital components in preparing pupils for a high-quality written outcome (the activities 'knit together' towards a substantial, motivating conclusion)
• the role of teacher intervention in promoting individual learning

The scheme of work incorporates downloadable resources, web-links, unrehearsed video clips of teaching and examples of pupils' work.