HISTORY MATTERS 365
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History Learning Grid

10/3/2019

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Download: History Learning Grid
history_learning_grid.pdf
File Size: 172 kb
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Key Words Bingo Card

10/3/2019

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Blank Key Words Bingo Card
key_words_bingo_card.pdf
File Size: 86 kb
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New website for junior cycle history

1/8/2018

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History as core in the media

1/8/2018

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Barry Roche, The Irish Times, History needs to play a greater role in society, says Martin, 28 September 2018. 
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Ronan McGreevy, The Irish Times, Micheál Martin slates removal of history from core curriculum, 18 August 2018.

Gillian O'Brien, RTÉ Brainstorm, ​Why history should remain compulsory for Junior Cycle, 30 July 2018.
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Anne Marie Flynn,The Mayo News, Lest we forget, 17 July 2018.

Liam Whelan, University Times, The Removal of Compulsory History in Secondary School is a Tragedy for Irish Education, June 25 2018.

John Connell, The Journal.ie, The past isn't the past, it's not even over: We can't discard Junior Cert History, 5 May 2018.

Darragh Bermingham, The Evening Echo, Teachers appeal for history to remain a core subject in Junior Cycle, 8 May 2018.

Diarmaid Ferriter, The Irish Times, Higgins is right that history should be compulsory for Junior Cert, 5 May 2018.

Michael D. Higgins, President of Ireland, ​Speech at the launch of the Cambridge History of Ireland, 30 April 2018.

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Leaving Cert and Junior Cert History Exams 2018

18/6/2018

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Leaving Cert History Exams
Junior Cert History Exams
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Leaving cert history students need more time

12/6/2018

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​Every year, normally on the second Wednesday in June, the Leaving Cert History exam takes place. Higher Level students have 2 hours 50 minutes to answer a documents based question and three long essay questions.

​A top, or even 'middle-of-the-road' grade cannot be achieved without an extensive amount of writing. From the first minute to the last, the exam is a writing marathon run at a sprinting pace.

Granted, extended writing is a fundamental skill of History. It is important that young historians can produce essay type answers that show not just a dept of knowledge but also an ability to think independently. However, in setting this challenge, the State Examinations Commission should ensure sufficient time is allocated.

In the immediate aftermath of the exam, History students, hands still aching and fingers numb, commonly and justifiably complain that more time was needed. Students have to 'hit the ground running' with little or no time for essay planning and review of answers. The time allocated for the Higher Level Leaving Cert History exam should be increased from 2 hours 50 minutes to at least 3 hours.

A 3 hour exam would bring History into line with a number of other exams. Higher Level Business Studies, Engineering, Biology, Construction Studies, Design and Communication Graphics, Accounting, Physics and Chemistry are all 3 hour exams. The amount of writing required for History is, at the very least, comparable to the aforementioned exams.

The State Examinations Commission should consider allocating at least 10 extra minutes to the Higher Level Leaving Cert History exam. This would be a fair and equitable move. It would in no way compromise the integrity of the exam. It would have a positive impact on student wellbeing. Indeed, the student voice should be heard. Students should be consulted. What are their views on the time allocated to history? That consultation should begin at 4.51 pm tomorrow.

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Teachers appeal for history to remain a core subject in Junior Cycle

9/6/2018

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Evening Echo, 8th May 2018: Teachers appeal for history to remain a core subject in Junior Cycle
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Assessment Guidelines for Junior Cycle History

9/6/2018

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View and download the Assessment Guidelines for Junior Cycle History
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Flippity Flashcards 2

19/3/2018

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Revise JC topics using digital flashcards made by History Matters 365:
Age of Exploration
The Ulster Plantation
The French Revolution
From Farm to Factory
The Reformation
The American Revolution
The 1798 Irish Rebellion
The Great Irish Famine
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Junior Cycle Writing Skills - Develop the Sentence

3/3/2018

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Students gradually improve their historical writing skills as they progress through the junior cycle. Students master the key term, the sentence, the paragraph and the essay, in that order. Each step takes time and effort to master. 

Needless to say, failure to master the key term or the sentence will result in below standard paragraphs and essays. As such, it is important to implement strategies to develop the basic skills of historical writing. 

Develop the sentence is one strategy that a teacher can use to improve students' historical writing skills. Give a set of only fair sentences and challenge the students to develop each one to a very good sentence. Model the task by giving an example.

Take feedback and give praise!

​Download the blank template provided.
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Develop the Sentence Template
develop_the_sentence_template.pdf
File Size: 88 kb
File Type: pdf
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Factual Errors Task

3/3/2018

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A factual errors task or 'find and fix' is a good example of how teachers can test student knowledge.

Give students an account based on a topic which has been covered. The account will contain a set number of errors. The students must read the account carefully, then identify the errors using a highlighter. 

Using their knowledge of the topic, they must then give the correct facts. The teacher should take feedback, and ask questions to generate discussion. 

Consider assigning an extension task. For example, get them to go online and research a related topic and then write their own account.
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History Walkabout Bingo

3/3/2018

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​Walkabout Bingo is a fun strategy for getting students to work with each other.

Every student gets the same set of questions on a topic e.g. Medieval Life. The students walk around the classroom and get the answers from each other.
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A student can only get one answer per classmate. Therefore, if there are eight questions, the student must get eight classmates, answering one question each. The answers and the names of the students who provided them are recorded. 

The first student to get all correct answers and call BINGO, wins! Consider giving a reward e.g. subject department bookmark.

The activity continues until everyone has a full set of answers. Follow up by taking feedback. 

This strategy can be used at the beginning, during, or at the end of a lesson or unit of learning. Try this strategy by using the resources below. Enjoy! 
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Sample Walkabout Bingo: Medieval Life
medieval_life_-_walkabout_bingo.pdf
File Size: 425 kb
File Type: pdf
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Blank Template: Walkabout Bingo
walkabout_bingo_template.pdf
File Size: 148 kb
File Type: pdf
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History Matters 365 Mailing List

18/2/2018

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Sign up to the History Matters 365 Mailing List.
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Choose your own history homework

30/1/2018

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Introduce at the beginning of a unit of learning. Keep copies of associated materials in class:
  • Annotated Timeline
  • 4-3-2-1 Key Reflection
  • Self-Created Wordsearch
  • 3-2-1 Reflect!
  • A guide to using flashcards for learning

Allow for three levels of difficulty; Low (L), Medium (M), and High (H). Students can't repeat a task and must choose at least one from each level before the unit is complete. Introduce a Wildcard (W) option to encourage creativity. 
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This strategy allows both high, and low achieving students to 'take ownership' of homework, be creative and attempt tasks at their own level, with scope to try something harder.

Give students time to present their homework in class. Display some examples on the classroom display board or walls. Give plenty of praise!
Download - Choose your own history homework
choose_your_own_history_homework.pdf
File Size: 237 kb
File Type: pdf
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Flippity Flashcards 1

29/12/2017

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Revise JC topics using digital flashcards made by History Matters 365:
The job of the historian
The job of an archaeologist
Stone Age Ireland
The Iron Age and the Celts
Ancient Rome
The Renaissance
The Bronze Age
Early Christian Ireland
The Middle Ages
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    Christian O'Connor, history teacher, St. Mary's Secondary School, Mallow, Co. Cork.

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