The American West 1835-1895, GCSE 9-1 Edexcel This lesson aims to introduce the Fort Laramie Treaty and how the Government began to force the Plains Indians into fixed territories. Students have to decide and justify why conflict and tension grew between the Plain Indians and white settlers, with some red herrings thrown in for challenge. The terms of the Fort Laramie Treaty are given, which the students should learn and a printable worksheet is provided. They also have to rate the success of each term and/or facts about the Treaty by colour coding a battery and then deciding the problems each might cause. A quick fire quiz also will reinforce their learning. There is some GCSE question practice on the consequences question, with some help given if required. A play your cards right plenary (complete with music) will test chronology and understanding from this and previous lessons. The resource is differentiated and gives suggested teaching strategies. Some retrieval practice is also included on the first slide on treaties. It comes in PowerPoint format if there is a wish to adapt and change.

The American West 1835-1895, GCSE 9-1 Edexcel The aim of this lesson is to analyse some of the problems the early settlers faced moving west onto the Great Plains. Students have to work out the initial problems and challenges of settlement through various images and think through how they could solve these. They also have to decide how to deal with the swarms of locusts that descended on the Great Plain such as in 1874 when an estimated 120 billion grasshoppers devastated over 300,000 square kilometres of land. There is some GCSE exam question practice on the consequences question with some help given if required. The plenary requires students to use dice to pick and link key words together to create sentences. The resource is differentiated and gives suggested teaching strategies. Some retrieval practice with talking heads is also included on the front slide. It comes in PowerPoint format if there is a wish to adapt and change.

The American West 1835-1895, GCSE 9-1 Edexcel The aim of this lesson is to explore the problems of the rapid rising of mining towns and the lawlessness they created in the American West. Students complete a Head and Tails activity and a thinking quilt which challenges them to decide the greatest changes as well as the most important and biggest impact the early towns and settlements brought. There is some GCSE exam question practice on the ‘importance question’, with some help given if required. The resource is differentiated and gives suggested teaching strategies. Some retrieval practice using an A-Z task is also included. It comes in PowerPoint format if there is a wish to adapt and change.

The American West 1835-1895, GCSE 9-1 Edexcel This lesson examines the process and problems of migration using the Oregon Trail and the discovery of Gold in California in 1849. Students analyse the positive and negative effects of migrating to California as well as conflict over resources and are then challenged to link statistics to the various facts shown on the Gold Rush. There is some text analysis on the Donner Party and its consequences with key questions as well as video footage to reinforce the learning. Some GCSE question practice focuses of the narrative account question with key exam skills attached as well as some help if required. The plenary uses an interactive hangman game. The resource is differentiated and gives suggested teaching strategies. Some retrieval practice using the odd one out is also included. It comes in PowerPoint format if there is a wish to adapt and change.

The Holocaust The aims of this lesson are to explain how the extermination camps were liberated such as Auschwitz and Bergen-Belsen by horrified allied soldiers whose shock quickly turned to anger. Students are placed in the liberators shoes and have to decide how they would react, from cleaning up, to taking pictures and leaving things untouched to of course more violent extremes. There is some excellent video footage to accompany the lesson, but please again treat with caution and care. The second part of the lesson is a case study of Herta Bothe, a German camp guard who was convicted of war crimes by a British military tribunal. Students are given certain facts about her and have to decide if the sentence was justified or whether as in the previous lesson she was an unfortunate victim of circumstance and just an ordinary woman completing the job required of her. The central enquiry of this and subsequent lessons in the bundle is to ask who was to blame for the holocaust? Students will map out their ideas each lesson (which can be plotted in different colours or dates to show the progress of their learning and centred around a lightbulb) and build up a picture of how difficult it is to blame a single individual or event for this catastrophe. The resource comes in PowerPoint format if there is a wish to adapt and change and is differentiated. I have also included suggested teaching strategies to deliver the lesson.

The American West, c1835-c1895, GCSE 9-1 Edexcel This lesson aims to assess the importance of Billy the Kid in the continued problems of law and order in the Wild West. Students learn about his story from a young age to him acquiring his notorious reputation as an outlaw and have to emoji rate each part of it to judge how bad he really was. They have to give reasons for each of their judgements before they give an overall assessment of his life. There is an excellent link to a documentary to reinforce the learning. There is some follow up exam question practice using the ‘importance’ question worth 8 marks, with help given if needed. The plenary uses key letters of the alphabet to link to the learning of the lesson. The resource is differentiated and gives suggested teaching strategies. Some recall retrieval practice is also included linking their prior knowledge of law and order in the towns It comes in PowerPoint format which can be amended and changed to suit.

The American West, c1835-c1895, GCSE 9-1 Edexcel This lesson aims to understand the reasons for the relative success of Red Cloud against the US Government as opposed to Little Crow and Black Kettle. Students have to piece together the causes behind Red Cloud’s decision for going to war despite his tribe being divided and the awareness of the previous consequences of fighting back. They learn about Fetterman’s Trap and the second Fort Laramie Treaty. They then have to decide the reasons or limits of Red Cloud’s success (such as Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse refusing to sign the Treaty). I have also included an interactive click and drag exercise using activex textboxes which moves text to complete gap fills to reinforce the learning of the lesson. The plenary uses an interactive flashcard activity linking to Plains Indian Chiefs. There is some follow up exam question practice using the ‘write a narrative account’ worth 8 marks, with help given if needed. The resource is differentiated and gives suggested teaching strategies. Some recall retrieval practice is also included linking key words together. It comes in PowerPoint format which can be amended and changed to suit.

The American West, c1835-c1895, GCSE 9-1 Edexcel The aim of this lesson is to explore the consequences of the Battle of Little Big Horn in 1876 as public perceptions of the Plains Indians changed from weak savages to a real threat. Students are introduced to General Custer before analysing some text on the causes of the Battle (Custer’s Last Stand) and his subsequent defeat. For further challenge, they are then given some fragments of sentences which they have to fill out and complete. They are also required use key words to evaluate the consequences of the battle and recognise a new direction of policy for the US Government when dealing with the Plains Indians. The plenary is to create a brewing pot of ingredients which led to Custer’s Last Stand and defeat. The resource is differentiated and gives suggested teaching strategies. Some retrieval practice is also included to recall the significance of treaties. It comes in PowerPoint format which can be amended and changed to suit.

The American West, c1835-c1895, GCSE 9-1 Edexcel The aim of this lesson is to analyse the fears over the Ghost Dance and the significance of the Wounded Knee Massacre. Students have to analyse text, answer differentiated questions and use video evidence to evaluate the reasons for the Sioux massacre and the implications of the Ghost Dance. The plenary is a connection wall which requires students to connect 4 key words together and explain why. There is some follow up exam question practice using the ‘write a narrative account ’ question worth 8 marks, with help given if needed. The resource is differentiated and gives suggested teaching strategies. Some recall retrieval practice is also included from the start. It comes in PowerPoint format which can be amended and changed to suit.

AQA GCSE 9-1 Elizabethan England, 1568-1603 The aim of this lesson is to give students the context to the role and importance the theatre played in Elizabethan England. Building upon their knowledge and understanding of William Shakespeare, they will learn how the theatre adapted and changed to permanent and purpose built theatres through text analysis, a thinking quilt and video evidence. The second part of the lesson focuses on the globe theatre, with its seating arrangements and the types of plays the audiences could experience. There are some excellent video links to the BBC included in this resource. Students will then apply their skills to a choice of two exam practice questions on ‘importance’ and ‘how convincing’, with help and guidance offered if required. The lesson is enquiry based with a key question using a lightbulb posed at the start of the lesson and revisited to show the progress of learning. The resource includes suggested teaching strategies, retrieval practice, differentiated materials and comes in PowerPoint format if there is a wish to adapt and change.

Edexcel Superpower Relations and the Cold War, 1941-91 This lesson aims to define what the Cold War was about, the differences between Communism and Capitalism and how after 1945, both the Soviet Union and America went from allies to enemies. Students use a map and video footage to define what the Cold War was all about, with a writing frame supplied if required. Students also learn about the different political spectrums in the world at the time and use this knowledge to categorise them in a colour coding activity. They also had to analyse evidence of how mutual suspicions grew which they plot on a suspicion o’meter and justify their choices. The plenary uses a mood board to distinguish between the various ‘moods’ of leaders and soldiers from the time. The lesson is enquiry based with a key question posed at the start of the lesson and revisited throughout this and subsequent lessons to show the progress of learning. The lessons in this bundle are therefore linked together to build up a picture of how diplomacy, propaganda and spying led two Superpowers with opposing political ideologies to create tensions, rivalries and distrust as well as subsequently forming mutual understanding and cooperation over the time period in question. The resource includes suggested teaching strategies and differentiated materials and comes in PowerPoint format if there is a wish to adapt and change.

The aim of this lesson is to explore how and why the D-Day landings were a success during the Second World War. Students are given the details about the Atlantic Wall and learn how Hitler’s attempts to design and build it ultimately led to its flaws and weakness in repelling the Allied forces in June 1944. Furthermore, students have to decide which landing site would be more advantageous to the Allies, the port of Calais or the beaches of Normandy. They also analyse the various ingenious inventions of the Allies from the Mulberry Harbours to the underwater PLUTO pipeline. There are some excellent visual sources to accompany the lesson and well as video footage from the BBC. The resource includes retrieval practice activities, suggested teaching strategies and differentiated materials, and comes in PowerPoint format if there is a wish to adapt and change. The lesson is enquiry based with a key question using a lightbulb posed at the start of the lesson and revisited throughout to show the progress of learning.

Edexcel Superpower Relations and the Cold War, 1941-91 The lesson aims to explore the importance of the Kennan and Novikov Telegrams. The context of the Telegrams is given at the start of the lesson, with students using video footage to explain the consequences if the atomic bomb was used. Students will also learn of the recommendations each of the foreign ministers proposed to their respective superiors and the importance of their advise. There is also a home learning challenge which the students can answer a key question and self assess themselves using a model answer. The plenary make use of an interactive connect four game, complete with differentiated questions. The lesson is enquiry based with a key question using a lightbulb posed at the start of the lesson and revisited throughout this and subsequent lessons to show the progress of learning. The lessons in this bundle are therefore linked together to build up a picture of how diplomacy, propaganda and spying led two Superpowers with opposing political ideologies to create tensions, rivalries and distrust as well as subsequently forming mutual understanding and cooperation over the time period in question. The resource includes retrieval practice, suggested teaching strategies, differentiated materials and GCSE question practice. It also comes in PowerPoint format if there is a wish to adapt and change.

Edexcel Superpower Relations and the Cold War, 1941-91 This lesson focuses on the Satellite States created by the Soviet Union. Students will be encouraged to question how far these states were willing participants in communism and happy to be part of a Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. There is some source analysis as well as differentiated questioning to help them unpick the events which followed the fall of Berlin in 1945. Furthermore they will evaluate how each eastern country fell into line with the Soviet Union and plot if it was through intimidation and threats and how much they resisted this control. The plenary asks the students to think outside the box and link particular events to key images. The final part of the lesson is some GCSE question practice on the ‘narrative account’ with some help given and a markscheme if required. The lesson is enquiry based with a key question using a lightbulb posed at the start of the lesson and revisited throughout this and subsequent lessons to show the progress of learning. The lessons in this bundle are therefore linked together to build up a picture of how diplomacy, propaganda and spying led two Superpowers with opposing political ideologies to create tensions, rivalries and distrust as well as subsequently forming mutual understanding and cooperation over the time period in question. The resource includes retrieval practice, suggested teaching strategies, differentiated materials and GCSE question practice. It also comes in PowerPoint format if there is a wish to adapt and change.

Edexcel Superpower Relations and the Cold War, 1941-91 The aim of this lesson is to analyse the events leading to the Berlin crisis of 1948 and the actions of the Allies to unite a divided Berlin into Trizonia with its new currency, the Deutschemark. Students begin by analysing maps of Berlin to understand its unique position in East Germany; they also use text to find out key information and decipher key words as well as evaluating how the crisis unfolded using a dual coding and text mapping exercise. The plenary requires the students to use causational equations to explain how and why the crisis happened. There is some GCSE exam question practice to complete, with tips on how to answer the consequences question, with model answers given if required. The lesson is enquiry based with a key question using a lightbulb posed at the start of the lesson and revisited throughout this and subsequent lessons to show the progress of learning. The lessons in this bundle are therefore linked together to build up a picture of how diplomacy, propaganda and spying led two Superpowers with opposing political ideologies to create tensions, rivalries and distrust as well as subsequently forming mutual understanding and cooperation over the time period in question. The resource includes retrieval practice, suggested teaching strategies, differentiated materials and GCSE exam practice. It also comes in PowerPoint format if there is a wish to adapt and change.

Superpower Relations and the Cold War, 1941-91 The aim of this lesson is to assess then impact of consequences of the Bay of Pigs invasion during the Cold War. Students begin by analysing Castro’s personality in a literacy task, with key word indicators to help. They then have to decide, or not as the case may be, as to whether it was crystal clear if Castro was leaning towards the USA or the Soviet Union. The main task is to find out what happened at the Bay of Pigs, using video evidence and then evaluate the consequences of the invasion in the development of Cold War relations. There is some GCSE exam practice to finish on the importance of the invasion with help and a scaffold included, as well as a model answer for reference. .The lesson is enquiry based with a key question using a lightbulb posed at the start of the lesson and revisited throughout this and subsequent lessons to show the progress of learning. The lessons in this bundle are therefore linked together to build up a picture of how diplomacy, propaganda and spying led two Superpowers with opposing political ideologies to create tensions, rivalries and distrust as well as subsequently forming mutual understanding and cooperation over the time period in question. The resource includes retrieval practice, suggested teaching strategies, differentiated material and GCSE question practice. It comes in PowerPoint format if there is a wish to adapt and change.

Superpower relations and the Cold War, 1941-91 The aim of this lesson is to be able to give a narrative account of the Cuban Missile Crisis. Students may already know some of the details of this lesson from their learning at Key Stage 3. Students are given the context of the pictures taken from the U2 American spy plane and evaluate the significance of this find, studying the photographic sources and maps from the time. They then take on the role of President Kennedy and see if they can match the decisions he made, collecting points on the way. This leads nicely into the GCSE question practice of writing a narrative account of the events, making sure they link the events together coherently and in chronological order. The plenary focuses on analysing the consequences of the crisis for Soviet and American relations. The lesson is enquiry based with a key question using a lightbulb posed at the start of the lesson and revisited throughout this and subsequent lessons to show the progress of learning. The lessons in this bundle are therefore linked together to build up a picture of how diplomacy, propaganda and spying led two Superpowers with opposing political ideologies to create tensions, rivalries and distrust as well as subsequently forming mutual understanding and cooperation over the time period in question. The resource includes suggested teaching strategies and differentiated materials, and comes in PowerPoint format if there is a wish to adapt and change.

Superpower Relations and the Cold War, 1941-91 The aim of this lesson is to evaluate the significance of the Truman Doctrine and its implications for East-West relations. Students are asked to analyse two political cartoons of the time to establish how and why the new foreign policy of the USA was a direct challenge to the Soviet Union. There is help given if required. As well as studying the finer details of the Truman Doctrine, they also have to understand its consequences for Europe and write this up in a GCSE practice question. The lesson is enquiry based with a key question using a lightbulb posed at the start of the lesson and revisited throughout this and subsequent lessons to show the progress of learning. The lessons in this bundle are therefore linked together to build up a picture of how diplomacy, propaganda and spying led two Superpowers with opposing political ideologies to create tensions, rivalries and distrust as well as subsequently forming mutual understanding and cooperation over the time period in question. The resource includes retrieval practice, suggested teaching strategies, differentiated materials and GCSE question practice. It also comes in PowerPoint format if there is a wish to adapt and change.

Superpower Relations and the Cold War, 1941-91 This lesson aims to re-evaluate the importance of Berlin in 1958 during the Cold War. Students recap on previous events of the Berlin Blockade and Airlift using some retrieval practice. They will also decide which statements fits the criteria of being on the West or East side of Berlin and therefore evaluate why they was a brain drain crisis for the Soviet Union. Students will also learn about the Berlin Ultimatum and with some GCSE question practice evaluate the consequences of this as well as the summits organised by both sides. The final task is to answer some differentiated questions focusing on the learning from the lesson. The lesson is enquiry based with a key question using a lightbulb posed at the start of the lesson and revisited throughout this and subsequent lessons to show the progress of learning. The lessons in this bundle are therefore linked together to build up a picture of how diplomacy, propaganda and spying led two Superpowers with opposing political ideologies to create tensions, rivalries and distrust as well as subsequently forming mutual understanding and cooperation over the time period in question. The resource includes retrieval practice, suggested teaching strategies, differentiated material and GCSE question practice. It comes in PowerPoint format if there is a wish to adapt and change.

Superpower Relations and the Cold War, 1941-91 The lesson aims to explore the significance of the Hungarian uprising in the context of the Cold War Students will first learn about the leaders of Hungary and its importance as a country to the Soviet Union. There is a source activity to complete to analyse the various viewpoints of the time from ordinary Hungarians to Khrushchev himself. The main task is to take on the role of Khrushchev and make some vital key decisions with regard to the uprising. Students will pick up points to cement their totalitarian leadership qualities or waiver and act indecisively. Students will finally analyse the consequences of the uprising and make judgements and conclusions as to why the west failed to intervene. There is some GCSE question practice to complete at the end with help and prompts given if required. The final task is to complete a road map as students attempt to answer questions correctly to reach the safety of a nuclear bomb shelter. The lesson is enquiry based with a key question of how close was the world to a nuclear war using a lightbulb posed at the start of the lesson and revisited throughout this and subsequent lessons to show the progress of learning. The lessons in this bundle are therefore linked together to build up a picture of how diplomacy, propaganda and spying led two Superpowers with opposing political ideologies to create tensions, rivalries and distrust as well as form mutual understanding and cooperation over the time period in question. The resource includes retrieval practice, suggested teaching strategies, differentiated material and GCSE question practice. It comes in PowerPoint format if there is a wish to adapt and change.