Perfect for History Club sessions – or active and creative lessons - at primary or secondary level. Includes information and video about the topics and a fun practical activity (which can often take more than one session to complete). All sessions include a weekly advertising poster for display boards, websites and screens around the school. Also included is a loyalty card for students to claim rewards after attending enough lessons. Designed by Wolsey Academy and tried and tested with secondary students in the UK. Topics are as follows: Ancient Egypt – Drama Production Battle of Trafalgar 1805 – Arts and Craft. Guy Fawkes, 1605 – Gunpowder Hunt. Charles Lindbergh, 1927 – Design & Fly a Plane. Pirates – Make a Movie. Thanksgiving – Fancy Dress and Card Design Benjamin Franklin – Make and fly a Kite. Tudor Christmas – Card Making. Battle of Atlantic – Code Breaking Game Medieval Coat of Arms – Research and Heraldry Making. Brunel – Bridge Building Darwin –Voyage of the Beagle, Art Competition. D-Day – Landing Craft Construction and Testing World Cup History – Kit Designs Battle of Quebec – Crane Construction Angkor Wat – Sunrise Drawings Historical Fashion – Clothing Designs Henry Ford – Assembly Line Competition Roman Army – Shield Design and Battle Tactics Role Play Local History: Ipswich Town Football Club – Badge Design. WolseyAcademy.com, a non-profit resource provider, directs all profits to various charities, including refugee support, youth sports, educational programs, and carbon capture, achieving a carbon-negative status. Explore our site for resources and free history role-playing games loved by students. Thank you for your dedication to teaching and for supporting our mission.

Perfect for History Club sessions – or active and creative lessons - at primary or secondary level. Includes information and video about the topics and a fun practical activity (which can often take more than one session to complete). All sessions include a weekly advertising poster for display boards, websites and screens around the school. Also included is a loyalty card for students to claim rewards after attending enough lessons. Designed by Wolsey Academy and tried and tested with secondary students in the UK. Topics are as follows: Ancient Egypt – Drama Production Battle of Trafalgar 1805 – Arts and Craft. Guy Fawkes, 1605 – Gunpowder Hunt. Charles Lindbergh, 1927 – Design & Fly a Plane. Pirates – Make a Movie. Thanksgiving – Fancy Dress and Card Design Benjamin Franklin – Make and fly a Kite. Tudor Christmas – Card Making. Battle of Atlantic – Code Breaking Game Medieval Coat of Arms – Research and Heraldry Making. Brunel – Bridge Building Darwin –Voyage of the Beagle, Art Competition. D-Day – Landing Craft Construction and Testing World Cup History – Kit Designs Battle of Quebec – Crane Construction Angkor Wat – Sunrise Drawings Historical Fashion – Clothing Designs Henry Ford – Assembly Line Competition Roman Army – Shield Design and Battle Tactics Role Play Local History: Ipswich Town Football Club – Badge Design.

I strongly suggest this after school activity only be purchased as part of the wider History Club package. Perfect for History Club sessions – or active and creative lessons - at primary or secondary level. Includes information and video about the topics and a fun practical activity (which can often take more than one session to complete). All sessions include a weekly advertising poster for display boards, websites and screens around the school. Also included is a loyalty card for students to claim rewards after attending enough lessons. Designed by Wolsey Academy and tried and tested with secondary students in the UK. Topics are as follows: Ancient Egypt – Drama Production Battle of Trafalgar 1805 – Arts and Craft. Guy Fawkes, 1605 – Gunpowder Hunt. Charles Lindbergh, 1927 – Design & Fly a Plane. Pirates – Make a Movie. Thanksgiving – Fancy Dress and Card Design Benjamin Franklin – Make and fly a Kite. Tudor Christmas – Card Making. Battle of Atlantic – Code Breaking Game Medieval Coat of Arms – Research and Heraldry Making. Brunel – Bridge Building Darwin –Voyage of the Beagle, Art Competition. D-Day – Landing Craft Construction and Testing World Cup History – Kit Designs Battle of Quebec – Crane Construction Angkor Wat – Sunrise Drawings Historical Fashion – Clothing Designs Henry Ford – Assembly Line Competition Roman Army – Shield Design and Battle Tactics Role Play Local History: Ipswich Town Football Club – Badge Design. WolseyAcademy.com, a non-profit resource provider, directs all profits to various charities, including refugee support, youth sports, educational programs, and carbon capture, achieving a carbon-negative status. Explore our site for resources and free history role-playing games loved by students. Thank you for your dedication to teaching and for supporting our mission.

Perfect for History Club sessions – or active and creative lessons - at primary or secondary level. Includes information and video about the topics and a fun practical activity (which can often take more than one session to complete). All sessions include a weekly advertising poster for display boards, websites and screens around the school. Also included is a loyalty card for students to claim rewards after attending enough lessons. Designed by Wolsey Academy and tried and tested with secondary students in the UK. Topics are as follows: Ancient Egypt – Drama Production Battle of Trafalgar 1805 – Arts and Craft. Guy Fawkes, 1605 – Gunpowder Hunt. Charles Lindbergh, 1927 – Design & Fly a Plane. Pirates – Make a Movie. Thanksgiving – Fancy Dress and Card Design Benjamin Franklin – Make and fly a Kite. Tudor Christmas – Card Making. Battle of Atlantic – Code Breaking Game Medieval Coat of Arms – Research and Heraldry Making. Brunel – Bridge Building Darwin –Voyage of the Beagle, Art Competition. D-Day – Landing Craft Construction and Testing World Cup History – Kit Designs Battle of Quebec – Crane Construction Angkor Wat – Sunrise Drawings Historical Fashion – Clothing Designs Henry Ford – Assembly Line Competition Roman Army – Shield Design and Battle Tactics Role Play Local History: Ipswich Town Football Club – Badge Design. WolseyAcademy.com, a non-profit resource provider, directs all profits to various charities, including refugee support, youth sports, educational programs, and carbon capture, achieving a carbon-negative status. Explore our site for resources and free history role-playing games loved by students. Thank you for your dedication to teaching and for supporting our mission.

The Computer Revolution - Meant as a cross department study with the Humanities and ICT/Computer Science. This is 1 lesson from a series of 17 (see below). Each lesson is well constructed and fully resourced (all resources contained at the end of each PowerPoint to avoid multiple files). Lessons include a varied sequence of activities building up content and skills to answer a large essay question in lesson 17 on the nature of change and continuity thanks to the computer revolution, and a speculative discussion of the impact of future developments. The series also runs parallel to a 17 part ‘Guided Reading’ pack on the same topic. Each lesson is paired with an extended piece of computing literature – for ease these extracts have been included inside the PowerPoints but you can access the reading as a separate bundle, and for free at Wolsey Academy. The lessons are as follows: Enigma and Turing (free) The History of Women in Computing (free) The Microchip and Moore’s Law The PC, GUI and Microsoft How Video Games Shaped Our World Mid-Unit Test and Revision Impact of the Internet Blockchain and Cryptocurrencies (free) Covid Track and Trace Quantum Computing (free) Artemis and Space X Facial Recognition Digital Divide DeepMind, AI, AlphaGo and ChatGPT (free) Emerging Technologies and their impact Cybersecurity case studies Revision keyword flash cards and essay assessment. Wolsey Academy, a non-profit resource provider, directs all profits to various charities, including refugee support, youth sports, educational programs, and carbon capture, achieving a carbon-negative status. Explore our site for resources and free history role-playing games loved by students. Thank you for your dedication to teaching and for supporting our mission. We hope it helps. #BetterTeachingBetterPlanet

This lesson on Sparta & the Peloponnesian War from the Wolsey Academy series on the Ancient Greeks is fully resourced and ready to teach, with engaging and inclusive activities. Students participate in a script reading and role play, comparing Athens and Sparta, followed by adding their insights to a Venn diagram that visually represents the differences and similarities between the two city-states. They then work in pairs on a script improvement task, expanding on the conversation with additional historical details using fact sheets for support. The lesson concludes with a reading comprehension exercise, with scaffolded questions to ensure all students can engage with and understand the content. The others lessons in the series are as follows: The Minoans - Students will re-enact a Minoan bull-leaping event by writing and performing the commentary for a mythical bull-leaping competition, bringing this ancient tradition to life. The Mycenaeans & The Trojan War - Students will create their own version of the Trojan Horse, constructing and presenting how they would use it to infiltrate an enemy city. Homer and Greek Literature - In this lesson, students will work in groups to storyboard key scenes from The Iliad or The Odyssey and present their adaptations to the class. Olympia & The Olympic Games - Students will write and produce a mock newspaper report on the Ancient Olympic Games, discussing the sports, competitors, and the religious significance of the event. Greek Gods & Delphi - Students will engage in a Gods and Myths role-playing activity, where they act as various Greek gods debating their importance in front of the class. Athenian Democracy - This lesson includes a mock Athenian assembly where students participate in a democratic vote on a key issue, experiencing the decision-making process of ancient Athens. The Persian Wars - Students will work together to create a battle strategy for either the Greeks or Persians, then simulate the famous battles using maps and counters to analyse the outcomes. Sparta & The Peloponnesian War - Students will debate the strengths and weaknesses of Sparta versus Athens in a classroom debate, acting as representatives from each city-state. The Athenian Golden Age - Students will set up a museum showcase in which they create displays on different aspects of the Golden Age, including philosophy, architecture, and science, and then present their work to their peers. Alexander the Great - Students will create a timeline of Alexanders major battles and conquests, illustrating his route across Asia and presenting key moments in his empire-building journey. All of these lessons are available at the Wolsey Academy website or here on TES/TPT. See the voucher code inside each lesson for more information on how to secure a discount. We hope it helps.

One lesson from a series of 10 lessons from Wolsey Academy on the Ancient Greeks. Each lesson is packed with engaging activities, historical content, and fully resourced materials, making them ready to teach straight away. Athenian Democracy: Lesson Highlights • Mock Athenian assembly where students vote on key issues. • Class debate on the pros and cons of democracy in ancient Athens. • Group work on creating a timeline of Athenian democracy’s development. Resources: Voting slips, debate prompts, and visual timelines with key events are provided. Simplified explanations of complex political terms and concepts help support all learners in understanding the content. The others lessons in the series are as follows: The Minoans - Students will re-enact a Minoan bull-leaping event by writing and performing the commentary for a mythical bull-leaping competition, bringing this ancient tradition to life. The Mycenaeans & The Trojan War - Students will create their own version of the Trojan Horse, constructing and presenting how they would use it to infiltrate an enemy city. Homer and Greek Literature - In this lesson, students will work in groups to storyboard key scenes from The Iliad or The Odyssey and present their adaptations to the class. Olympia & The Olympic Games - Students will write and produce a mock newspaper report on the Ancient Olympic Games, discussing the sports, competitors, and the religious significance of the event. Greek Gods & Delphi - Students will engage in a Gods and Myths role-playing activity, where they act as various Greek gods debating their importance in front of the class. Athenian Democracy - This lesson includes a mock Athenian assembly where students participate in a democratic vote on a key issue, experiencing the decision-making process of ancient Athens. The Persian Wars - Students will work together to create a battle strategy for either the Greeks or Persians, then simulate the famous battles using maps and counters to analyse the outcomes. Sparta & The Peloponnesian War - Students will debate the strengths and weaknesses of Sparta versus Athens in a classroom debate, acting as representatives from each city-state. The Athenian Golden Age - Students will set up a museum showcase in which they create displays on different aspects of the Golden Age, including philosophy, architecture, and science, and then present their work to their peers. Alexander the Great - Students will create a timeline of Alexanders major battles and conquests, illustrating his route across Asia and presenting key moments in his empire-building journey. All of these lessons are available at the Wolsey Academy website or here on TES/TPT. See the voucher code inside each lesson for more information on how to secure a discount. We hope it helps.

Lesson Activities: Group Presentation on a Famous Battle: Students are assigned a major battle from the Persian Wars (Marathon, Thermopylae, or Salamis) to research and present to the class. Inclusive Resource: Research starter sheets at the end of the lesson, providing students with key facts to ensure all groups have the same foundational information. Completion of ‘3 Battles’ Sheet: As students listen to each other’s presentations, they complete a worksheet detailing the main events and outcomes of the battles. Inclusive Resource: Pre-filled headings on the worksheet help guide students in identifying key details, ensuring it is accessible for learners with varying comprehension abilities. Class Discussion on the Persian Wars’ Importance: Following the presentations, the class debates whether the Greek victories were truly important, considering perspectives from both the Greek and Persian sides. Inclusive Resource: Structured question prompts are provided to guide the discussion and ensure all students can contribute their thoughts. Memory Recall Quiz: Students participate in a class quiz on key facts from the Persian Wars, helping reinforce their learning in a fun, competitive format. Inclusive Resource: The quiz questions are scaffolded to include both easy and more challenging prompts, accommodating different ability levels.

This lesson on the Athenian Golden Age from the Wolsey Academy series on the Ancient Greeks is fully resourced and designed to engage all learners. Students begin by creating displays for a museum showcase on various aspects of the Golden Age, including philosophy, architecture, and science. They work in groups to research key figures such as Socrates, Plato, and Pericles, with fact sheets and visual aids provided to support students of all ability levels. The class then presents their work in a gallery walk format, where students take turns presenting their findings and learning from each other’s displays. The lesson concludes with a group discussion on the lasting impact of the Golden Age, using scaffolded questions to ensure all students can contribute their ideas and reflect on the period’s influence on modern culture.

The others lessons in the series are as follows: The Minoans - Students will re-enact a Minoan bull-leaping event by writing and performing the commentary for a mythical bull-leaping competition, bringing this ancient tradition to life. The Mycenaeans & The Trojan War - Students will create their own version of the Trojan Horse, constructing and presenting how they would use it to infiltrate an enemy city. Homer and Greek Literature - In this lesson, students will work in groups to storyboard key scenes from The Iliad or The Odyssey and present their adaptations to the class. Olympia & The Olympic Games - Students will write and produce a mock newspaper report on the Ancient Olympic Games, discussing the sports, competitors, and the religious significance of the event. Greek Gods & Delphi - Students will engage in a Gods and Myths role-playing activity, where they act as various Greek gods debating their importance in front of the class. Athenian Democracy - This lesson includes a mock Athenian assembly where students participate in a democratic vote on a key issue, experiencing the decision-making process of ancient Athens. The Persian Wars - Students will work together to create a battle strategy for either the Greeks or Persians, then simulate the famous battles using maps and counters to analyse the outcomes. Sparta & The Peloponnesian War - Students will debate the strengths and weaknesses of Sparta versus Athens in a classroom debate, acting as representatives from each city-state. The Athenian Golden Age - Students will set up a museum showcase in which they create displays on different aspects of the Golden Age, including philosophy, architecture, and science, and then present their work to their peers. Alexander the Great - Students will create a timeline of Alexanders major battles and conquests, illustrating his route across Asia and presenting key moments in his empire-building journey. All of these lessons are available at the Wolsey Academy website or here on TES/TPT. See the voucher code inside each lesson for more information on how to secure a discount. We hope it helps.

One lesson from a series of 10 lessons from Wolsey Academy on the Ancient Greeks. Each lesson is packed with engaging activities, historical content, and fully resourced materials, making them ready to teach straight away. Homer and Greek Literature: Lesson Highlights: Students storyboard key scenes from The Iliad or The Odyssey. Group work on presenting their storyboards to the class. Discussions on the influence of Homer on Greek culture. Class reading and analysis of famous (simplified) excerpts from Homer’s works. Resources: Storyboard templates, visual scene descriptions, and guided reading activities. Scaffolding provided through vocabulary lists, simplified texts, and teacher support for students with varying reading abilities. The others lessons in the series are as follows: The Minoans - Students will re-enact a Minoan bull-leaping event by writing and performing the commentary for a mythical bull-leaping competition, bringing this ancient tradition to life. The Mycenaeans & The Trojan War - Students will create their own version of the Trojan Horse, constructing and presenting how they would use it to infiltrate an enemy city. Homer and Greek Literature - In this lesson, students will work in groups to storyboard key scenes from The Iliad or The Odyssey and present their adaptations to the class. Olympia & The Olympic Games - Students will write and produce a mock newspaper report on the Ancient Olympic Games, discussing the sports, competitors, and the religious significance of the event. Greek Gods & Delphi - Students will engage in a Gods and Myths role-playing activity, where they act as various Greek gods debating their importance in front of the class. Athenian Democracy - This lesson includes a mock Athenian assembly where students participate in a democratic vote on a key issue, experiencing the decision-making process of ancient Athens. The Persian Wars - Students will work together to create a battle strategy for either the Greeks or Persians, then simulate the famous battles using maps and counters to analyse the outcomes. Sparta & The Peloponnesian War - Students will debate the strengths and weaknesses of Sparta versus Athens in a classroom debate, acting as representatives from each city-state. The Athenian Golden Age - Students will set up a museum showcase in which they create displays on different aspects of the Golden Age, including philosophy, architecture, and science, and then present their work to their peers. Alexander the Great - Students will create a timeline of Alexanders major battles and conquests, illustrating his route across Asia and presenting key moments in his empire-building journey. All of these lessons are available at the Wolsey Academy website or here on TES/TPT. See the voucher code inside each lesson for more information on how to secure a discount. We hope it helps.

One lesson from a series of 10 lessons from Wolsey Academy on the Ancient Greeks. Each lesson is packed with engaging activities, historical content, and fully resourced materials, making them ready to teach straight away. Olympia & The Olympic Games: Lesson Highlights: Students write a mock newspaper report on the Ancient Olympic Games. Class discussion on the types of sports and religious significance of the games. Group work on comparing the ancient games to modern-day Olympics. Role-play as ancient Greek sports reporters presenting their news. Resources: Templates for newspaper articles and key fact sheets about the sports and religious importance of the games. Sentence starters, scaffolding, and vocabulary lists ensure all students can actively participate. The others lessons in the series are as follows: The Minoans - Students will re-enact a Minoan bull-leaping event by writing and performing the commentary for a mythical bull-leaping competition, bringing this ancient tradition to life. The Mycenaeans & The Trojan War - Students will create their own version of the Trojan Horse, constructing and presenting how they would use it to infiltrate an enemy city. Homer and Greek Literature - In this lesson, students will work in groups to storyboard key scenes from The Iliad or The Odyssey and present their adaptations to the class. Olympia & The Olympic Games - Students will write and produce a mock newspaper report on the Ancient Olympic Games, discussing the sports, competitors, and the religious significance of the event. Greek Gods & Delphi - Students will engage in a Gods and Myths role-playing activity, where they act as various Greek gods debating their importance in front of the class. Athenian Democracy - This lesson includes a mock Athenian assembly where students participate in a democratic vote on a key issue, experiencing the decision-making process of ancient Athens. The Persian Wars - Students will work together to create a battle strategy for either the Greeks or Persians, then simulate the famous battles using maps and counters to analyse the outcomes. Sparta & The Peloponnesian War - Students will debate the strengths and weaknesses of Sparta versus Athens in a classroom debate, acting as representatives from each city-state. The Athenian Golden Age - Students will set up a museum showcase in which they create displays on different aspects of the Golden Age, including philosophy, architecture, and science, and then present their work to their peers. Alexander the Great - Students will create a timeline of Alexanders major battles and conquests, illustrating his route across Asia and presenting key moments in his empire-building journey. All of these lessons are available at the Wolsey Academy website or here on TES/TPT. See the voucher code inside each lesson for more information on how to secure a discount. We hope it helps.

This lesson on the Haitian Revolution is designed to engage students with a range of activities that build their understanding of the historical context, key figures, and significant events surrounding the revolution. The lesson involves several interactive components: Reading and Contextual Understanding: Students begin by completing a reading exercise to understand the background of Saint-Domingue (modern-day Haiti), its role as a French colony, and the conditions that led to the revolution. Video and Question Writing: After watching a video on the Haitian Revolution, students create and answer their own questions, encouraging critical thinking and peer engagement. Research and Fact Files: Students research key figures such as Toussaint Louverture, Jean-Jacques Dessalines, and Henri Christophe, and create detailed fact files using provided templates or their own research. This helps develop research skills and reinforces the importance of these historical figures. Sorting Activity: Students are tasked with identifying and sorting the causes, events, and consequences of the Haitian Revolution, allowing them to better grasp the chronological and causal relationships in history. Narrative Writing: Students write a three-part narrative essay on the Haitian Revolution, practicing structuring a historical argument with evidence-based explanations. Analysis: Students are encouraged to analyse and justify which factors were most important in the revolution, promoting higher-order thinking skills as they debate the key causes or consequences. Reflection on Memory: Finally, students investigate how different cultures remember the Haitian Revolution, comparing perspectives from Haiti and other nations, which fosters an understanding of how history is viewed through different lenses. This dynamic lesson allows for a mix of individual and group activities, ensuring that students engage deeply with the material through research, writing, discussion, and analysis. From a series of 100s historical lessons made by Wolsey Academy. They provide a thorough foundation of knowledge and focus on developing key historical skills. To find the complete bundle search on the Wolsey Academy website. Wolsey Academy operates as a non-profit, with all proceeds supporting our charity partners. Use code ‘WOLSEY’ for 10% off at the Wolsey Academy Web Store. Please help us, help you, help them. Thank you. Hope it helps. W

This lesson explores Korea’s Renaissance during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910 CE), focusing on the period’s key achievements in culture, science, and military technology. Students will analyse sources, such as the creation of the Hangul alphabet and military innovations like the Turtle Ship. Through group discussions, card sorts, and a creative project where students model one of the key inventions, they will understand the lasting impact of these innovations. The lesson concludes with presentations where students showcase their models and research

This lesson explores the long-term causes of World War I, focusing on militarism, alliances, imperialism, and nationalism (MAIN). Students will examine historical factors leading to the war, analyse primary sources, and discuss how these factors increased tensions in Europe. Activities include a think-pair-share discussion, timeline sorting, MAIN factor analysis, and PEEL paragraph writing. The lesson concludes with a ranking activity to evaluate the importance of each factor. Lesson Content and Activities: Introduction: Discussion on the reasons for war and whether it is ever justified. Think-pair-share activity on why humans go to war. Europe in 1914: Overview of the relative peace in Europe since 1815 and the changes in military technology. Definition of Long-Term Factors: Explanation of historical factors and the difference between short-term and long-term factors. Short- or Long-Term Factors: Activity to differentiate between short-term and long-term historical events. MAIN Factors: Introduction to militarism, alliances, imperialism, and nationalism as the MAIN causes of WWI. Worksheet activity to analyse each MAIN factor and rate their importance. Which MAIN Was It Mainly? Read statements and identify whether they reflect militarism, alliances, imperialism, or nationalism. PEEL Paragraph Writing: Practice writing PEEL paragraphs on the long-term causes of WWI using militarism as an example. Write a PEEL paragraph on another MAIN factor and peer review partners’ paragraphs. Ranking Activity: Work with a partner to rank the MAIN factors in order of importance. Discuss and justify rankings. Resources: MAIN factor worksheet Timeline cards PEEL paragraph examples and planning sheet Taken from a series of over 30 First World War lessons made by Wolsey Academy. They provide a thorough foundation of knowledge in this vital period of 20th Century History and each lesson looks to focus on a range of historical skills and exam techniques to equip students with knowledge and transferable research, analysis and study skills. To find the complete bundle, search on the Wolsey Academy website. Wolsey Academy operates as a non-profit, with every penny we make going to one of our charity partners or into the Ipswich Initiative, funding good works across the town and county. Search for Wolsey Academy to see our website for more details and to purchase resources at a discount. Use code ‘WOLSEY’ for 10% off at the Wolsey Academy Web Store. Please help us, help you, help them. Thank you. Hope it helps.

This lesson examines the short-term cause of World War I: the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. Students will explore the events leading up to the assassination, the key figures involved, and the immediate consequences. Activities include note-taking, video analysis, writing a newspaper report, and sorting events chronologically. The lesson concludes with a discussion on how this event acted as a spark in an already tense Europe. Lesson Content and Activities: Introduction: Overview of the significance of Franz Ferdinand’s assassination as a short-term cause of WWI. Major Events and People: Talk through slides 1-14 detailing the key events and figures. Students make notes using the provided worksheet. Video Analysis: Watch a video on the assassination and answer guiding questions. Background: Discuss the political situation in 1908 with Bosnia’s annexation and the resulting tensions with Serbia. The Visit: Explain Franz Ferdinand’s visit to Sarajevo and the Black Hand Gang’s plan. First Attack: Describe the failed bomb attempt by the Black Hand Gang. Assassination: Detail Gavrilo Princip’s successful assassination of Franz Ferdinand and his wife. Princip’s Capture: Discuss the capture and arrest of Gavrilo Princip. Newspaper Report: Students write a newspaper report based on first-hand accounts and quotes from witnesses. Sorting Activity: Sort timeline cards of events leading to the outbreak of war in chronological order. Path to War: Discuss whether the assassination alone would have been enough to start the war and the idea of long-term issues as the ‘soil’ and short-term triggers as the ‘spark’. Resources: Worksheet for note-taking Video link Printable timeline cards Quotes for newspaper report Taken from a series of over 30 First World War lessons made by Wolsey Academy. They provide a thorough foundation of knowledge in this vital period of 20th Century History and each lesson looks to focus on a range of historical skills and exam techniques to equip students with knowledge and transferable research, analysis and study skills. To find the complete bundle, search on the Wolsey Academy website. Wolsey Academy operates as a non-profit, with every penny we make going to one of our charity partners or into the Ipswich Initiative, funding good works across the town and county. Search for Wolsey Academy to see our website for more details and to purchase resources at a discount. Use code ‘WOLSEY’ for 10% off at the Wolsey Academy Web Store. Please help us, help you, help them. Thank you. Hope it helps.

Lesson Description (75 words): This lesson explores the harsh conditions of trench warfare during World War I. Students will examine the daily life of soldiers in the trenches, including the physical and psychological challenges they faced. Activities include video analysis, literature review, a relay activity for note-taking, and writing a trench diary entry. The lesson concludes with a peer assessment of the diary entries to reinforce understanding and historical empathy. Lesson Content and Activities: Introduction: Watch a video on trench conditions. Make a list of six adjectives to describe the trenches and discuss with classmates. Trenches in Literature: Read extracts from historical texts. Highlight important phrases and unfamiliar words. Share findings with the class. Relay Activity: In teams, relay run to gather details about six key characteristics of trench life. Memorise and relay the information to create an accurate replica in their notebooks. Censorship Discussion: Discuss why soldiers’ letters were censored and what information might be controlled. Think-pair-share on what soldiers might do knowing their letters would be censored. Trench Diaries: Write a letter home as a soldier, describing daily life in the trenches, including all six key areas covered in the relay task. Include a cheerful note about camaraderie and friendships. Tea stain the letter to make it look old and realistic. Submit the letter for peer censoring. Peer Assessment: Use a checklist to assess a partner’s trench diary entry. Provide specific feedback on historical skills and writing. Resources: Video link Historical text extracts Relay activity notes Suggested sentence starters Peer assessment checklist Taken from a series of over 30 First World War lessons made by Wolsey Academy. They provide a thorough foundation of knowledge in this vital period of 20th Century History and each lesson looks to focus on a range of historical skills and exam techniques to equip students with knowledge and transferable research, analysis and study skills. To find the complete bundle, search on the Wolsey Academy website. Wolsey Academy operates as a non-profit, with every penny we make going to one of our charity partners or into the Ipswich Initiative, funding good works across the town and county. Search for Wolsey Academy to see our website for more details and to purchase resources at a discount. Use code ‘WOLSEY’ for 10% off at the Wolsey Academy Web Store. Please help us, help you, help them. Thank you. Hope it helps.

This lesson examines the nature and impact of trench warfare during World War I. Students will learn about the development and structure of trenches, the daily life of soldiers, and the weaponry used. Activities include video analysis, group research on weapons, and a trench drawing exercise. The lesson concludes with a paragraph writing task using key vocabulary and peer feedback to solidify understanding. Lesson Content and Activities: Introduction: Discuss why trench warfare was relatively new on this scale and the shift from previous military tactics. Watch a clip from the Waterloo movie for context. Weapons of War: Introduction to key weapons that changed warfare: machine guns, artillery, barbed wire, bolt-action rifles, chemical weapons, tanks, and aircraft. Team Teaching: In groups, research a specific weapon and create a 2-minute presentation. Present findings to other groups, focusing on the weapon’s impact on battles. Trench Features: Draw and label a simplified trench diagram in notebooks. Discuss the different parts of a trench, including latrine, sandbags, machine gun positions, duckboards, periscopes, firesteps, and barbed wire. Trench Network Management: Discuss how soldiers were rotated through different trenches and the reasons behind this system. No-Man’s Land: Discuss the challenges and horrors of No-Man’s Land, including the difficulties of retrieving bodies and the psychological impact on soldiers. Literature Review: Read an extract from “All Quiet on the Western Front” to understand the demoralising reality of trench warfare. Writing Task: Plan and write a paragraph explaining trench warfare using new vocabulary. Include terms like bolt-action rifles, gas, aircraft, duckboards, artillery, barbed wire, No-Man’s Land, zig-zag trench, support trench, reserve trench, tanks, machine guns, periscope, sandbags, communication trenches, dugouts, and dressing stations. Peer review the paragraphs for accuracy and completeness. Resources: Video clip link Research slides for weapons Simplified trench diagram Literature extract from “All Quiet on the Western Front” Peer review checklist Taken from a series of over 30 First World War lessons made by Wolsey Academy. They provide a thorough foundation of knowledge in this vital period of 20th Century History and each lesson looks to focus on a range of historical skills and exam techniques to equip students with knowledge and transferable research, analysis and study skills. To find the complete bundle, search on the Wolsey Academy website. Wolsey Academy operates as a non-profit, with every penny we make going to one of our charity partners or into the Ipswich Initiative, funding good works across the town and county. Search for Wolsey Academy to see our website for more details and to purchase resources at a discount. Use code ‘WOLSEY’ for 10% off at the Wolsey Academy Web Store. Please help us, help you, help them. Thank you. Hope it helps.

This lesson examines the Battle of the Somme, one of World War I’s most significant and controversial battles. Students will explore the battle’s events, strategies, and leadership through historical perspectives. Activities include video analysis, mind mapping, source-based research, and debating the effectiveness of British generals. The lesson concludes with a writing task on whether the British generals were “lions led by donkeys” and a peer assessment of the arguments. Lesson Content and Activities: Introduction: Discuss what students already know about the Battle of the Somme. Create a mind map with initial knowledge. Video Analysis: Watch a video on the Battle of the Somme. Add new information to the mind map in a different colour. Battle Overview: Provide an overview of the battle, its objectives, duration, and outcomes. Discuss the high casualty rates and limited territorial gains. Historical Perspectives: Compare traditional and revisionist views on the battle using quotes from historians John Keegan and Gary Sheffield. Task: Identify agreements and disagreements between the historians. Factors Analysis: Examine various factors (A-G) related to the battle, such as high casualty rates, complexity of war, strategies, German defenses, improvements over time, logistical successes, and contextual successes. Complete a table assessing whether each factor suggests that British generals were “donkeys.” Debate Preparation: Prepare arguments for and against the idea that British generals were “lions led by donkeys.” Use provided factors and historian quotes to support arguments. Writing Task: Write an essay answering the question: “Were the British generals really donkeys at the Battle of the Somme?” Structure: Introduction, arguments for, arguments against, conclusion. Peer Assessment: Peer assess a partner’s essay based on structure, use of evidence, quoting historians, and clarity of conclusion. Provide feedback and a score out of 5 for each criterion. Resources: Video link on the Battle of the Somme Mind map template Historian quotes and factors table Writing task guidelines and structure Peer assessment checklist Taken from a series of over 30 First World War lessons made by Wolsey Academy. They provide a thorough foundation of knowledge in this vital period of 20th Century History and each lesson looks to focus on a range of historical skills and exam techniques to equip students with knowledge and transferable research, analysis and study skills. To find the complete bundle, search on the Wolsey Academy website. Wolsey Academy operates as a non-profit, with every penny we make going to one of our charity partners or into the Ipswich Initiative, funding good works across the town and county. Search for Wolsey Academy to see our website for more details and to purchase resources at a discount. Use code ‘WOLSEY’ for 10% off at the Wolsey Academy Web Store. Please help us, help you, help them. Thank you. Hope it helps.

This lesson explores the Invasion of Norway in 1940, focusing on the strategic reasons behind the invasion, the key events, and the outcome. Students will learn about Operation Weserübung, the role of Vidkun Quisling, and the impact on World War II. Activities include video analysis, timeline sorting, and group discussions. The lesson concludes with a writing task analysing the factors that led to the success of the German invasion. Lesson Content and Activities: Introduction: Discuss the strategic importance of Norway for Germany, including access to iron ore and naval routes. Watch a video overview of the invasion and its context. The Story of HMS Glowworm: Tell the story of HMS Glowworm’s heroic encounter with the German cruiser Admiral Hipper. Discuss the bravery of the crew and the recommendation for a medal. Timeline Sorting: Sort the timeline cards into the correct chronological order, from the beginning of Operation Wilfred to the surrender of Norway. Churchill’s Role: Discuss Churchill’s involvement and the irony of the situation leading to his rise as Prime Minister. Vidkun Quisling: Explain who Vidkun Quisling was and his role as a traitor and collaborator with the Nazis. Discuss the impact of his actions on Norway. Group Activity: Outside the classroom, read a fact sheet about the invasion. Return and discuss the facts within the group, categorising them into German Strategy, German Tactics, and Allied Weakness. Writing Task: Write an essay explaining two reasons why the Nazis were successful in their invasion of Norway. Use the PEEKA paragraph structure to organise the arguments. Class Discussion: Share and discuss the essays. Reflect on the strategic and tactical reasons behind the invasion’s success. Resources: Video link on the invasion of Norway Printable timeline cards Fact sheet for group activity PEEKA paragraph guidelines From a series of over 30 Second World War lessons made by Wolsey Academy. They provide a thorough foundation of knowledge in this vital period of 20th Century History and each lesson looks to focus on a range of historical skills and exam techniques to equip students with knowledge and transferable research, analysis and study skills. To find the complete bundle search on the Wolsey Academy website. Wolsey Academy operates as a non-profit, with every penny we make going to one of our charity partners or into the Ipswich Initiative, funding good works across the town and county. Search for Wolsey Academy to see our website for more details and to purchase resources at a discount. Use code ‘WOLSEY’ for 10% off at the Wolsey Academy Web Store. Please help us, help you, help them. Thank you. Hope it helps.