Primary Humanities

′This book brings together the traditions of historical enquiry and geographical enquiry. It helps to clarify the role and application of these essential skills within each subject and helps to demonstrate the strengths of the enquiry approach in both teaching and learning. It goes on to explore most helpfully and clearly the place of enquiry in primary pedagogy in relation to thinking skills, creativity, philosophy for children, learning outside the classroom and cross curricular links. Case studies are used throughout to illustrate and exemplify, and websites for resources are indicated. It is both reflective and practical and will support the more experienced classroom teacher as well as student and the newly qualified teacher in planning, teaching and assessing these significant humanities subjects through an approach which has a central place within both subjects. At its heart is the belief in children′s capacities to be enquiring historians and geographers, enabling them to develop a sound base of historical and geographical knowledge and understanding′
-Lynne Dixon, Senior Lecturer in Primary Humanities

′This book successfully outlines the fundamental process of enquiry led learning in History and geography. In recognising the distinctive elements of primary geography and history, it also highlights elements where these subjects can be brought together. As well as exploring possible enquiries that can take place both inside and outside the classroom, very useful advice is given on resourcing enquiry based learning. This book successfully combines theory and practice; it helps the reader to make sense of different perspectives on theories of learning related to these subject areas. It is therefore useful to both classroom practitioners and students alike, whether it is useful reading for a masters assignment or for refining enquiry based learning in class, readers will certainly be able to identify elements useful to their needs′
-Emily Rotchell, Senior Lecturer in Primary Geography, University of Roehampton

The book successfully combines theory and practice: it helps the reader to make sense of different perspectives of theories of learning related to these subject areas.  It is therefore useful to both classroom practitioners and education studies students alike.  Whether you are a trainee or a practitioner, this book will develop your knowledge of how young children′s understanding of place, time and community can be fostered through an enquiry-based curriculum. It will also benefit, perhaps, teachers of older children looking to encourage more independent learning in their schools. -- Andy Reynolds