Decades of educational and cognitive research has found that there are 3 fundamental principles of learning. These 3 principles should underpin the approach we take in teaching history in the primary classroom:
1. Students come to the classroom with preconceptions about how the world works. We need to engage primary students' initial understanding.
2. To develop competence in historical inquiry, students must a) have a deep foundation of factual knowledge; b) understand facts and ideas in the context of a conceptual framework, and c) organise knowledge in ways that facilitate retrieval and application.
3. A metacognitive (reflective) approach helps students learn to take control and monitor their learning
This book builds on this research and explores how these principles can be applied in teaching history in the primary classroom.
I highly recommend this book.
In the Stage 2 topic, 'Community and Remembrance' students identify commemorations of significance in Australia and the world. This site has a range of photographs of War memorials and honour rolls.
Teaching ideas: