Erin Christie

Lessons are based on what you want to learn, whether that’s in order to ace an exam or simply because you want to learn more.
Each lesson begins with an overview, which we follow by picking out points of interest - this can mean something the student is particularly interested in or ways in which the subject at hand is relevant to their lives today. This method encourages real engagement with the subject and motivation to learn over and above grades.
Following this, we go practical. This might mean looking at sources, discussing how to find and analyse them meaningfully.
We collate this work to collaboratively create an understanding of the subject within its contemporary and modern day context.
Following this, the translation of this work into presentation really depends on the requirements of the specific student and also their task at hand. Having got to know each other, we will decide what kind of approach is more suitable to their learning style in coalescing their learning into a summary, into the type of argument style appropriate to presenting work in history. This might involve visual practices, storytelling, bullet point lists. I know this is meaningful because a lot of historical facts and figures remain stuck in my head in the form of Horrible Histories songs to this day.
Then, depending on the task at hand, we follow by shaping this creative work into the appropriate form for said task, such as essays or exams.
We end with a personal reflection around what was learnt and how. This is meant to encourage a sense of achievement and personal commitment on the part of the student to their own learning, whilst also aiding in the further personalised development of following lessons.