The first lesson in the scheme American 1920-73: Opportunity and Inequality, focusing on what American society was like by 1920. The lesson begins with an exploration of existing knowledge of America, moving to exploring the American political system. Students then watch a video on how immigrants came to America through Ellis Island, leading to an assessment of which groups held the most ‘value’ in society at the time. Students then create a spider diagram on why people emigrated to America at this time, linking it to the melting pot idea. Finally, students summarise America society by 1920 with 5 key words or phrases.

This lesson explores the causes for and events of the Red Scare in the 1920s. A source starter explores the issues of the melting pot and fears of ideological differences, leading to video notes exploring why communism was so feared at this time. Students then explore why communism was feared, linking in the Palmer raids. Using a video and a card sort, students assess how the case of Sacco and Vanzetti showed attitudes towards immigrants at this time. Finally, students link their learning to a source showing fears of anarchists and communism at this time.

A model answer for the 16-mark Historic Environment focus of Burghley Almshouse. The answer focuses on key themes for the creation of the Almshouse including legacy/memorial, religious motivations, fear of poverty/rebellion, and loyalty and status. The answer integrates key features and themes of Burghley’s Almshouse.

Model answer for the 2019 historic environment question for AQA 8145 Elizabethan England on the Globe. The answer explains several factors, focusing on how the Globe shows changes in society using features of the site and wider evidence. Useful for revision, essay planning and in-class assessment.

A model answer to a sample question for the AQA 2024 HE on Drake’s Circumnavigation of the Globe 1577-1580. The answer explores several factors to address the question: “The main result of journeys of exploration was the increase in the wealth and power of Elizabethan England”. How far does the study of Drake’s circumnavigation support this statement? You should refer to Drake’s circumnavigation and your contextual knowledge (16 marks)

AQA 8145 - exploration of the threats Puritans posed - symbol poster activity with all relevant worksheets included. Assessment account question on puritan threat included.

AQA 8145: L1 - how voyages benefitted England. Carousel activity of key explorers and table, with intoductory videos exploring the benefits. L2 - Comparison activity of Drake and Raleigh with judgement and information sheet. Videos included of circumnavigation and issues Raleigh/sailors faced. Summary explain what was important question included.

This lesson focuses on the anti-war movement and how demands for peace escalated. The lesson starts with a picture starter, leading to a discussion over why opposition to the war increased after 1965. Students then complete a chart examining the different factors causing the growth in the anti-war movement, reaching a judgement. Two songs and their lyrics are then analysed to explore the role that songs played in influencing youth culture. Students then explore which anti-war slogans would have been the most effective at protests, leading a plenary vote on the most significant reason that impacted on the anti-war movement.

This lesson explores the events of the Tet Offensive and why it could be seen as a turning point in the Vietnam War. The lesson begins with a recap on why the US had been unsuccessful in the Vietnam War so far, leading to an introduction to Tet using two videos and students making notes on the events/impact. Students then use the hand out to examine Tet, highlighting Communist/US gains, leading to a completion of a table comparing how it was a Communist/US victory. Students then explore why it could be seen a turning point in the war, leading to a corners plenary.

Lesson 4 in the Hardwick Hall 2025 Historic Environment learning sequence. This lesson focuses on what Hardwick Hall can show about changes in the Elizabethan period. The lesson begins with a knowledge recall of Hardwick Hall, moving on to a carousel source activity where students use sources to explain key changes in England that Hardwick demonstrates (fashions, wealth, support for Elizabeth, rise of Gentry and new architectural styles. Students then explain what Hardwick Hall can show about Elizabethan England, explaining why Hardwick can be seen as a symbol of Elizabeth’s reign.

This lesson explores how the US responded to VC tactics. The lesson starts with a rapid recap to review prior content, leading to a whiteboard discussion of why the US faced issues based on their young, inexperienced soldiers. Students then use the hand out to complete the chart exploring the strengths and weaknesses of various US tactics. The lesson then culminates in students exploring how the US/VC caused the various issues for the American troops.

This lesson explores how both Eisenhower and Kennedy increased US intervention in Vietnam and their similarities/differences. The lesson begins with exploration of existing knowledge of Eisenhower, using a video to make notes, with the same task utilised for Kennedy. Students then use the handout to create a table showing similarities and differences of their policies, leading to a detailed focus on the Strategic Hamlet Programme. Students then list any successes and failures so far for the US in Vietnam, finally assessing how far they agree that the Strategic Hamlet Programme was ultimately a failure for the US.

Lesson 2 in the Hardwick Hall 2025 Historic Environment learning sequence. This lesson focuses on who Bess of Hardwick was and why she was able to build Hardwick Hall. The lesson begins with an image starter, asking students to explore how people like Bess could build manor houses. Students then explore Bess from a video, moving on to the creation of a timeline of her life. From this students create a spider diagram showing how Bess was an effective businesswoman, then explaining how Bess was able to redevelop Hardwick. Finally students assess how far Bess was a typical member of the Elizabethan Gentry.

Lesson 1 in the Hardwick Hall 2025 Historic Environment learning sequence. This lesson focuses on how and why manor houses developed in Elizabethan England. The lesson begins with a starter focusing on features of a typical manor house. Students then use a video to explore why the Great Rebuilding occurred, leading to the creation of a spider diagram on why so many manor houses were built in this period. The lesson then explores the typical features of an Elizabethan manor house, leading to a recap plenary.

This lesson explores the US withdrawal and eventual fall of Saigon in 1975. The lesson begins with a discussion task on what all sides would want to achieve from the peace settlement, leading to a video and handout summarising the key points agreed. Students then assess who gained the most from the agreement, justifying their choice. Students then use a video to examine how Saigon fell, leading to the creation of a spider diagram and justification of the most significant factors. Finally, students explore interpretations of the fall of Saigon, reaching a judgement on the one they most agree with.

This lesson explores the role of the Domino Theory in causing the US intervention in the Vietnam War. The lesson begins with a retrieval starter, moving on to a video which introduces the fears of the Domino Theory. Students then use an information sheet to synthesise the Domino Theory using only 20 words and imagery. Knowledge is then applied to a 4-mark source question mirroring the exam paper, which can be written up in class and peer/self-assessed. Finally, a judgement plenary explores what Eisenhower was the most worried about in relation to the Domino Theory.

This lesson explores why the Korean War was significant in the short and long term. A bingo plenary allows a recap of the key knowledge of the topic, moving into a video asking students to consider how the government would view the war in contrast to the US public. Students then use the handout to complete the Venn diagram, assessing the impact of the war in terms of human cost, the cold war and weapons build up. A post-it note plenary allows an assessment of what students consider the most signifcant impact of the war.

This lesson explores how the war ended in a stalemate and what factors led to peace. The lesson begins with a recap of the causes, events and ending of the war using a video. Students then explore the factors that led to the war becoming a stalemate. Students then watch a brief video outlining the peace treaty, whilst considering WHY a peace treaty occured in 1953. Students then explore the different factors that led to the treaty, alongside the four main agreements made. As a plenary, students begin to consider which nation gained the most from the Korean War.

Lesson 24 in the scheme for Edexcel 1H10/B4 - Early Elizabethan England, 1558-1588. This lesson focuses on Raleigh’s attempts and plans to colonise Virginia. The lesson starts with a review of what students already know/can remember about Walter Raleigh, leading to a video which introduces his attempts to colonise Virginia. Students then explore the factors which influenced investment in this project, explaining how each would influence support for Raleigh’s project, moving to a strengths and weaknesses table exploring Raleigh’s plan. Students then assess how strong the plan was, building to exploring the significance in the following lesson.

Model answer for the 2020 AQA historic environment topic - the Spanish Armada. The answer is based on the following question - “Luck was the main reason for the outcome of sea battles like the Spanish Armada in this period”. How far does a study of the Spanish Armada support this statement? You should refer to the Spanish Armada and your contextual knowledge. (16 marks) This question is based on the specimen Stamford Bridge question, as advised by AQA. This answer can be used for revision, modelling, annotation or formal assessment.