Magna Carta - Assessing its historical significance to the development of democracy

This fun and engaging lesson on Magna Carta gets students to assess its historical significance to the development of democracy. It begins with a selection of starters, before introducing the problems that King John faced during his reign, including his growing unpopularity. This is consolidated through a classification exercise, using a printed summary sheet, that students can stick into their books, before writing a couple of sentences to explain why different people were angry with the king. The lesson then moves onto the events that led up to King John being forced to sign Magna Carta in 1215, its terms and a source based task that analyzes its historical significance using a weighting scales graphic organizer. This exercise looks at short and long term factors which are linked to the English Civil War, American Revolution and the UN Declaration of Human Rights.

The lesson then rounds off with a post-it note voting continuum exercise. However, we have included a range of additional activities in the extra resources section; including writing frames and templates to help students scaffold an extended answer on Magna Carta’s historical significance. We have also included in a range of alternative templates for students to write and produce their own version of Magna Carta for homework.

When you purchase this lesson you will be able to download a 30-slide PowerPoint Presentation and an accompanying three-page worksheet in Word format. Both have also been uploaded as PDFs. The PowerPoint includes aims, objectives, differentiated objectives, starters, plenaries, information slides, graphic organizers, historical sources, tasks, activities, video links, templates, and writing frames. The accompanying worksheet mirrors the PP and is designed to help accompany the lesson. Please see the detailed preview for further information.

The aims and objectives of this lesson are:

Theme: Medieval society and the origins of Parliament

Know: The key events that led to King John signing Magna Carta in 1215? Understand: Why the barons rebelled against King John?
Evaluate: The historical significance of Magna Carta to the development of democracy?
Skills: Change, Continuity, Cause, Consequence and American Values

WILF – What Am I Looking For? Can You Describe: The key events that led to King John signing Magna Carta in 1215?
Can You Explain: Why King John was so unpopular with his people?
Can You Evaluate: The historical significance to the development of democracy?