October reads

Of course. Will have a go at it over half term!

I would love to do this for why I teach China 1839-1989!

I've just finished that one today and have been enjoying telling my students new facts. I love how well it places all the knowledge I have into wider context. These sort of books just make me feel like I know James and those around him!

September reads

This has made my evening. The pain of Sparx Maths 😂 My eldest is coming to the end....just as my youngest is starting 🫣🙄 And I'm a teacher so should in theory be supportive but....iykyk!

August reads

So well deserved. We are big M G Leonard fans in our house! My son is just starting your new keys book and my husband is reading Twitch to his Y5 class.

Include pages for monitoring when you mark the booklets, plus room for feedback and next steps when giving a whole class feedback lesson. We usually include a spelling test, often using words from the glossary, and some comprehension questions around misconceptions or to extend understanding.

Include additional reading on key topics for students aiming for top grades so they can develop their AO1 knowledge. Including it as 'extra reading' means it is available for all students, not just those you think might engage, but it doesn't have to be used in every lesson, with every student.

Adding takeaways to our booklets has been one of the best changes for our students. It ensures they are confident in the minimum they need to know. Lower ability students can use these to answer questions and revise.

Make sure they have an accessible reading age.

There is a temptation to just move ppts & worksheets into a booklet, however we prefer one that has everything included. An inclusive booklet means students have all they need to work independently or revise if necessary.

Ensure a range of tasks, not the same for each lesson, to keep engagement.

A glossary is important to support literacy and vocabulary within history. It is important that the definitions are at the right reading age (AI can help here) and that you regularly refer back to this during lessons to make it useful and relevant.

We start with a 'zoom out', an idea developed from the Walk Thrus. This is to help students place the topic into wider national or international context, and make links to other units. The depth depends on the year group.

Oh fab! Really looking to find the best way to use stories with 6th formers.

July reads

Turns out that blink-182 are more than just "that naked band".

Keep on keeping on.

@markhoppus.bsky.social

June reads

My husband has just changed careers in his 40s to train to be a primary school teacher. He has had no income this year and had to pay thousands in fees. I think all trainees deserve some support.