iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Oliver Scott @mroscott.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

Therefore, I believe this article is of relevance to every history teacher, hence please give it a read and let me know your thoughts! #historyteacher www.history.org.uk/publications...

history.org.uk

Teaching History 203: Connecting Pieces

001

Oliver Scott @mroscott.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

Despite this, I really believe that this style of pupil constructed, grand narrative should be a feature in every history classroom as it forces us as history educators to engage with subject authentic retrieval practice as well as using narrative as a vital tool in getting our curriculum to stick.

100

Oliver Scott @mroscott.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

This is the ambitious goal that I set myself and my reflections on which form the basis of the below article in the latest edition of Teaching History. The task was not an easy one and came with mixed success!

100

Oliver Scott @mroscott.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

Let's equip our pupils with the tools to construct a large-scale, thrilling historical narrative that seamlessly connects the different places, periods and people that they have encountered across an entire academic year!

111

Oliver Scott @mroscott.bsky.social · 24/07/2025

A proper primary source gold mine for any #historyteacher at KS3!

010

Oliver Scott @mroscott.bsky.social · 24/06/2025

It allows them to see that history is both contested and constructed, their teachers play an active part in creating history choosing what to include and more importantly what to leave out - meaning they have every right to contest and debate what they study.

000

Oliver Scott @mroscott.bsky.social · 24/06/2025

This culminated in students pitching a new enquiry for me to consider adding into Year 9 next year. Although lessons like these take time away from content, I think they are vital in allowing students the space to consider the nature of the subject they study.

100

Oliver Scott @mroscott.bsky.social · 24/06/2025

We then broadened this conversation to consider why students studied what they studied, combining ideas around my personal interests, scholarship, time and their cultural context.

100

Oliver Scott @mroscott.bsky.social · 24/06/2025

I decided to spend some time with Year 9 reflecting on our curriculum this year. I used this diagram to reflect on the fact that, despite my best efforts, we learn relatively little history.

121

Oliver Scott @mroscott.bsky.social · 19/06/2025

Eight enquiries, eight meanwhile elsewhere lessons, a little over 40,000 words of stories read, 44 cracking outcome tasks on display and one Year 9 curriculum. It's been a joy! #historyteacher

031

Reposted by Oliver Scott

Colin McCormick @colinmccormick.bsky.social · 13/05/2025

Want a free copy of our book? Retweet or like and we'll pick the winner on Friday

13422

Oliver Scott @mroscott.bsky.social · 23/04/2025

If you want to use the epic I use this version from David Wisniewski: www.worldofbooks.com/en-gb/produc... If you want a starting point for the Epic, some resources I've used are below, as per any feedback is much appreciated :) drive.google.com/drive/folder...

000

Oliver Scott @mroscott.bsky.social · 23/04/2025

They reveal aspects of power and transmission of history in Year 7, different methods of colonial control towards the end of Year 8 and showcasing the different ways in which Africans expressed their independence in Year 9.

100

Oliver Scott @mroscott.bsky.social · 23/04/2025

Therefore, the epic in its different forms and what larger trends these forms represent can be touched on across an entire key stage.

130

Oliver Scott @mroscott.bsky.social · 23/04/2025

It was a deliberate choice to write it down at this time, designed to showcase citizens of a new independent Mali the glories of their past and help foster a sense of national unity in a country of over a dozen ethnic groups, the exact same challenge Sundiata faced.

100

Oliver Scott @mroscott.bsky.social · 23/04/2025

By 1960, Modibo Keita was the first President of a newly independent Mali and the same year he became President the Epic was written down for the very first time in its history.

100

Oliver Scott @mroscott.bsky.social · 23/04/2025

A young student, Modibo Keita, attended the school as the play was performed and instead of inspiring a sense of Franco-Malian culture, the story of the glory of his homeland helped fuel a sense of Malian nationalism.

100

Oliver Scott @mroscott.bsky.social · 23/04/2025

This marked a huge change in the transmission of the epic and with it a new purpose as the French looked to use it to create a sense of joint Franco-Malian culture but there was one person in the audience who took it very differently...

100

Oliver Scott @mroscott.bsky.social · 23/04/2025

The epic remained in oral form until 1937 by which time Mali was part of French West Africa. The Epic entered it's latest performative role at a French school named École William Ponty. Here it was performed on stage by multiple people for the first time in over 700 years.

100

Oliver Scott @mroscott.bsky.social · 23/04/2025

The story is also passed to Mansa Musa's court through oral history and the storytelling power of griots, the personal historians of Mansas'. Therefore, it provides the chance for students to meaningfully encounter a different form of history production and transmission.

110

Oliver Scott @mroscott.bsky.social · 23/04/2025

Secondly, it provides vital context to Mansa Musa's power meaning his immense wealth can be better contextualised from Sundiata's founding blocks.

100

Oliver Scott @mroscott.bsky.social · 23/04/2025

It's a great story that I was first introduced to by an amazing tutor at university but I think it has real potency throughout KS3. Firstly, in Year 7 it's a fascinating origin story of one of the great medieval empires in itself.

100

Oliver Scott @mroscott.bsky.social · 23/04/2025

Sundiata, the son of Lion King and Buffalo Queen, grows in strength in exile despite his early challenges. He returns and saves his rightful kingdom becoming the first Mansa of Mali, uniting the surrounding kingdoms into one empire that lasted through to Mansa Musa and beyond.

100

Oliver Scott @mroscott.bsky.social · 23/04/2025

The epic itself tells the tale of Sundiata a mute boy unable to walk who is exiled from the Mandinka kingdom in modern day Mali which he was due to inherit.

100

Oliver Scott @mroscott.bsky.social · 23/04/2025

A short🧵on how I have tried to refine an aspect of my medieval African history teaching and look to tie it into a broader narrative that spans across KS3. Welcome to the Epic of Sundiata, the Lion King who overcame all to walk with greatness!

121

Reposted by Oliver Scott

Yuan Yang @yuanfenyang.bsky.social · 21/02/2025

SIGN THE PETITION: bit.ly/rfc-petition I’m glad that supporters groups Sell Before We Dai and the Supporters Trust at Reading have joined me in calling for a parliamentary inquiry into Reading FC’s absent owner, Dai Yongge. (1/4)

1194

Oliver Scott @mroscott.bsky.social · 21/02/2025

If you would like to have a spy at any of the resources please find them linked below, let me know if you have a go at teaching it, any feedback always appreciated. drive.google.com/drive/folder...

drive.google.com

How did Mussolini use the 1934 World Cup to show his power? - Google Drive

010

Oliver Scott @mroscott.bsky.social · 21/02/2025

As an outcome I got students to pitch an extra episode to Netflix's How to become a tyrant. Episode 4: Show your power!

100

Oliver Scott @mroscott.bsky.social · 21/02/2025

I think the EQ served a useful way to introducing the means by which dictators use mass media to shape the perception of their regime, a theme we will return to when looking at the Berlin Olympics in Year 10.

100

Oliver Scott @mroscott.bsky.social · 21/02/2025

It was Mussolini's world cup and nobody could forget it with speakers blasting ‘with Il Duce one is never lost; neither will we lose today' as fans entered the stadia.

100

Oliver Scott @mroscott.bsky.social · 21/02/2025

This was as much a victory for Mussolini's fascism as it was the Italian team. Mussolini had named a stadium after himself, awarded his own (larger) trophy to the winners and got the Argentine team to go on a pilgrimage to his hometown and lay wreaths of friendship.

100

Oliver Scott @mroscott.bsky.social · 21/02/2025

Mussolini ensured the World Cup hid the Italy that had banned political parties, committed war crimes in Libya and tortured citizens with one that embraced futurism, engaged in massive building projects and made travel for fans free.

100

Oliver Scott @mroscott.bsky.social · 21/02/2025

So deep and fruitful was this rabbit hole I decided to take 3 lessons with Year 9 answering the enquiry: How did Mussolini use the 1934 World Cup to show his power?

100

Oliver Scott @mroscott.bsky.social · 21/02/2025

On reading the recent controversial news that the 2034 World Cup would be hosted by Saudi Arabia I ended up down a rabbit hole looking at the 1934 World Cup held at the height of Mussolini's power in Italy.

100

Reposted by Oliver Scott

Mary Myatt @marymyatt.bsky.social · 21/02/2025

We need to take stories more seriously! Because stories are enjoyable, we have a tendency to underestimate their power. Great stories are important for their own sake. However, great stories can also do some heavy lifting for us. /1

1214

Reposted by Oliver Scott

Felix Tamsut @ftamsut.bsky.social · 03/02/2025

SV Darmstadt's ultras hold a banner commemorating the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, while also reminding that rejecting the far right is a current task rather than one that belongs in the past. "80 years of being free from fascism. It's everyone's duty to keep it that way!"

Banner by SV Darmstadt fans: "80 years being free from fascism. It's everyone's duty to keep it that way!"

242756492

Oliver Scott @mroscott.bsky.social · 27/01/2025

Thank you Kirstie, they're problems I'm looking forward to wrestling with!

000

Reposted by Oliver Scott

Kirstie Murray @kirstiemurray.bsky.social · 27/01/2025

Just listened to and enjoyed this from @mroscott.bsky.social Thought provoking on how to prioritise narratives that students produce. Great caveats at the end - how do we avoid students regurgitating narratives that WE see? How can students see big changes in 1st order concepts for themselves?

132

Oliver Scott @mroscott.bsky.social · 25/01/2025

Many thanks to those who tuned into my @ttrhistory.bsky.social presentation this morning! If you would like to watch a recording and access the slides please follow the following links: Presentation: docs.google.com/presentation... Video recording: streamyard.com/watch/bV8VSg...

011

Reposted by Oliver Scott

Teachers Talk History @ttrhistory.bsky.social · 25/01/2025

What a talk!! How to improve students narrative writing!! Thank you Oliver Scott!! Remember to keep watching we have more brilliant speakers! Via: streamyard.com/watch/bV8VSg...

021

Oliver Scott @mroscott.bsky.social · 25/01/2025

Thank you for tuning in and your kind words Colin 😁

010

Reposted by Oliver Scott

Teachers Talk History @ttrhistory.bsky.social · 24/01/2025

Set your alarms!! 10am tomorrow the first online event for history this year! Don’t forget to join us!! streamyard.com/watch/bV8VSg...

0106

Reposted by Oliver Scott

Catherine Priggs @catherinepriggs.bsky.social · 24/01/2025

Very excited to speak at this @ttrhistory.bsky.social event tomorrow. I'll be talking about managing the interplay between substantive and disciplinary knowledge. Do just us - it's free! @ttradioofficial.bsky.social

064

Oliver Scott @mroscott.bsky.social · 15/01/2025

If this whets your historical appetite, sign up to the online event, tickets are FREE and can be found on the following link: streamyard.com/watch/bV8VSgay… I hope to see lots of you there, the rest of the speakers look FANTASTIC!

000

Oliver Scott @mroscott.bsky.social · 15/01/2025

Within story so far lessons, students connect ideas across enquiries through a first order concept with the aim of helping them actively tie different enquiries together, remember information they have previously studied and ultimately improve their narrative writing.

100

Oliver Scott @mroscott.bsky.social · 15/01/2025

I'm really excited to be presenting at the upcoming @TTRHistory event on the 25th of January. I will be focusing on how to help students improve their historical narrative writing, drawing on first order thinking, ensuring lessons are 'narrative driven' and using 'story so far lessons'.

111

Reposted by Oliver Scott

A Funny Old Game @sidlambert.bsky.social · 28/12/2024

It’s Leroy Lita’s birthday today. You remember him. Sneaky little rascal. Just ask Jens Lehmann…

110812

Oliver Scott @mroscott.bsky.social · 20/12/2024

A proper charity shop find this morning. Good to see the author shares some of my favourites 😂

010

Oliver Scott @mroscott.bsky.social · 20/12/2024

This was a thoroughly enjoyable read from @petermatthews25.bsky.social on clerical pastoral care at #readingfc and a sad reminder of what we have lost over the last few years. "When we got to the Premier League the culture was so strong, in terms of valuing people, honour, respect and family."

031