History
My general way of introducing a history topic is to use the see/think/wonder framework and lots of images.
In fact, I try to do this with almost anything I teach, from maths to learning about human emotion. Putting some interesting images on the class whiteboard or giving the images out to groups of children to look at and discuss gets them doing the thinking and they always come up with some fascinating ideas and insights.
I do this with all primary school age groups and with EAL/D students and I find it works very well to engage them and get them thinking.
History topics that I've found this works especially well with include: the Australian gold rush; Aboriginal life before 1788; world explorers (1400s-1700s); ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day; and personal histories.
I also try to include historical fiction picture books and novels as read-alouds in any history unit I teach.
In fact, I try to do this with almost anything I teach, from maths to learning about human emotion. Putting some interesting images on the class whiteboard or giving the images out to groups of children to look at and discuss gets them doing the thinking and they always come up with some fascinating ideas and insights.
I do this with all primary school age groups and with EAL/D students and I find it works very well to engage them and get them thinking.
History topics that I've found this works especially well with include: the Australian gold rush; Aboriginal life before 1788; world explorers (1400s-1700s); ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day; and personal histories.
I also try to include historical fiction picture books and novels as read-alouds in any history unit I teach.
Useful Websites:
Integrating maths and history (maths heroes):
http://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/mathchat/mathchat007.shtml
Integrating maths and history (maths heroes):
http://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/mathchat/mathchat007.shtml
http://home.dictionaryofsydney.org/
http://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/humanities-and-social-sciences/history/rationale_
http://syllabus.bos.nsw.edu.au/hsie/history-k10/_
http://www.achistoryunits.edu.au/teaching-history/framework-for-teaching/teachhist-framework.html
https://www.google.com/maps/views/streetview/antarctica?gl=us
Year 1 Ideas
We watched a video of a classroom from the 'old days' and after a discussion, the children completed a Venn diagram using pictures and words to identify differences and similarities.
I also collected pictures of old objects to match with new objects (iron, phone, cars, clocks etc.)
We had been on an excursion to a museum where an old classroom was set up then we watched the video there's a few videos, not on YouTube though. Try behind the news or splash (ABC)
School then and now. Kids love this! There's a great non-fiction text that compares school pics on same topic - can't remember the name - i.e. kids at desks then and now, kids posing for school photo then and now, kids in playground then and now.
When my son was in Year 1 the kids all had to go & ask parent and grandparent about a favourite toy when they were a kid. Then at the end of the unit parents & grandparents were invited to share some of their old toys.
What my kids really loved is the similarities - they still play 'old' games like skipping, 'chasey' and have played marbles and dominoes.
Was interesting to hear their comments about having no computers then - "how did u read without Reading Eggs?" Hahahah. Can support it by bringing in items and/or grandparents to come in and talk about their days at school.
And then a dress up day would be great.
Get the kids to bring in photos of themselves as babies then talk about what they were like then, what they could/couldn't do and what they are like now. You can make it more fun if you like by mixing the photos up and taking turns to guess who is who. Takes a bit of planning so maybe get the kids to bring the photos in ahead of time and give to you to make sure you get a photo from each child.