History Through Drama at KS2

Drama can be used as a highly effective and memorable way of teaching and learning History. ‘Drama for Learning’ strategies can be used by teachers, that enable whole classes to actively engage with significant historical events and characters, and with authentic images and texts.

During this online session, teachers will be taken a step at a time, through a KS2 ‘History Through Drama’ unit based on the discovery of Tutankhamun’s Tomb. Each strategy used, will be explained it terms of what it is offering the learners.

Consideration will also be given, to the ways in which history can be re-told from different viewpoints.

Resources

• A Drama Contract

• A Drama Strategies booklet

• A History Through Drama lesson plan

• A copy of the Powerpoint (as a PDF)

• A relevant published article

Patrice Baldwin is Chair of the Council for Subject Associations (CfSA).

She was a Primary Headteacher, Arts Education and School Improvement Adviser (Norfolk) and an Ofsted inspector. She was Sir Jim Rose’s Editorial Expert for Drama in his proposed primary national curriculum and Oak National Academy’s Primary Drama subject leader during the pandemic. She worked regularly with Pie Corbett for several years, delivering ‘Talk and Drama for Writing’ conferences.

From 2012 until 2020, she arranged and offered primary curriculum courses and leadership conferences for Norfolk schools, through Inspiring Professional Development and School Improvement.

Patrice is a Fellow of the Royal Society for the Arts and is a specialist in using Drama for learning. She has worked in almost 40 countries at conferences and in universities. She was Chair of National Drama (2004- 2015) and President of the International Drama Theatre and Education Association (IDEA) from 2010-2013.

She founded and directed, Drama for Learning and Creativity (D4LC), supported by Norfolk County Council, QCA, Arts Council England, Creative Partnerships and NESTA and presented it at UNESCO’s 2nd World Arts in Education Conference in South Korea. Patrice was a BBC Education scriptwriter and series consultant. She is a prolific author. Her most recent book is Process Drama for Second Language Teaching and Learning (Bloomsbury Academic, 2022) and her next book will be published in Autumn 2023 by Taylor and Francis. Her website is www.patricebaldwin.net.