This lesson explores the causes and variety of opposition to the New Deal. A source starter allows inferences of criticisms of the New Deal, leading to a video exploring motivations behind the critics. Students then explore one opponent in depth and present to either the whole class or small groups, building a picture of the five main opponents. An interpretation plenary allows a review of criticisms of the New Deal and interpretation skills.

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.

This lesson focuses on planning and writing a 12-mark essay assessing which was more important in ending the depression in America: New Deal or WW2. The lesson starts with a rapid recap of both, swapping and sharing information, leading to a collaborative, modelled planning of the essay after exploring Level 3 criteria. Students then write a judgement to the essay and complete a judgement line plenary.

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.

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.

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.

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.

A model answer for the 2021 historic environment site Kenilworth Castle. The answer focuses on the purpose for the redevelopment and rebuilding of Kenilworth Castle with the stem of the question focusing on marriage, with other factors analysed including legacy, new fashions and trends and royal progresses.

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.

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.

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.

L4 in the 2024 Historic Environment series on The Americas and Drake’s circumnavigation, 1577-1580. This lesson explores what was the impact of Drake’s circumnavigation. The lesson begins with a trio retrieval starter, leading to a ‘rapid recap’ of the benefits and dangers for Drake and his crew on the journey. Students then complete a carousel activity exploring the various impacts of the circumnavigation including improvement in Drake’s social status and geographical understanding. Students then work in groups to analyse the strengths and weaknesses of the various impacts, leading to a judgement on what they think is the most significant impact of the circumnavigation.

L3 in the 2024 Historic Environment series on The Americas and Drake’s circumnavigation, 1577-1580. This lesson explores the key chronological events of the circumnavigation and the benefits and dangers faced across the voyage. The lesson begins with a recap of the motivating factors in undertaking such a voyage, leading to a video exploring the circumnavigation and the events, benefits and dangers. Students complete the notes table as they watch. Students then annotate their A3 map, using the hand out to detail what happened at each stage - optional colour-coding re. benefits and negatives at this stage - building a chornological picture of the voyage. Using their map and the hand out students then create a table showing the benefits and dangers of this voyage. Finally, students then assess HOW successful they think the circumnavigation was considering their learning so far.

L2 in the 2024 Historic Environment series on The Americas and Drake’s circumnavigation, 1577-1580. This lesson begins with a recap of knowledge about Francis Drake, leading into a video that introduces John Hawkins’ role in the slave trade. Students then explore how Hawkins’ role in influencing Drake in undertaking future voyages. The main activity focuses on exploring the 6 main motivating factors for Drake in undertaking his 1577 voyage, with students assessing the strengths and weaknesses of each, leading to a judgement on the main factors that influenced Drake. The plenary sets up the following lesson with students considering the benefits and dangers to sailors in undertaking such a lengthy voyage.

Revision resource focusing on how to answer the 16 mark ‘Hardwick Hall’ question on Paper 2. The resource models the structure and models examples of good practice, offering pupils then the chance to structure their own answer. The key changes demonstrated by Hardwick are also included.

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.