I am a History Teacher with a love for producing high quality and easily accessible history lessons, which I have accumulated and adapted for over 20 years of my teaching career. I appreciate just how time consuming teaching now is and the difficulty of constantly producing resources for an ever changing curriculum.
I am a History Teacher with a love for producing high quality and easily accessible history lessons, which I have accumulated and adapted for over 20 years of my teaching career. I appreciate just how time consuming teaching now is and the difficulty of constantly producing resources for an ever changing curriculum.
AQA GCSE Conflict and Tension 1918-1939
This lesson focuses on the various attitudes and reactions of the Allies after the Treaty of Versailles 1919 was agreed and signed.
The students begin by analysing and evaluating a number of sources from a German point of view and decide how and why the Germans would react in this way.
They then have to plot the thoughts of the allies on a grid, again making their own conclusions and judgements on their viewpoints.
The plenary is a ten question quiz which will test their new learning.
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, some retrieval practice, differentiated materials and comes in PowerPoint format if there is a wish to adapt and change.
AQA GCSE Conflict and Tension 1918-1939
Students in this lesson piece together the events surrounding Hitler’s invasion of the Sudetenland and ultimately Czechoslovakia.
They are required to question the wisdom of the policy of appeasement, but also analyse the reasons why Chamberlain pursued this policy and the strengths and weaknesses of this.
The lesson is accompanied by a quiz in which points are accumulated for the correct answers, video footage and source material which enable students to answer a ‘how useful’ GCSE source question.
They also have to put events in chronological order culminating in the Munich Agreement. They then have to rate these events in order of seriousness and judge which event(s) ultimately contributed to the causes of World War II.
The plenary tests the students’ new knowledge from the lesson by analysing some odd one out statements.
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, some retrieval practice, differentiated materials and comes in PowerPoint format if there is a wish to adapt and change.
AQA GCSE Conflict and Tension 1918-1939
The aim of this lesson is to explore the reasons why Mussolini invaded Abyssinia.
Throughout the lesson, students will be required to analyse the reasons as to why, in the face of unprovoked hostility and belligerence, the League of Nations did little to stop Italian aggression against Abyssinia and why Britain and France went out of their way to appease Mussolini.
At first, students will recap on the previous dealings Mussolini had with the League of Nations in the Corfu incident.
They will then evaluate the role of the League and its clear inability to act decisively, even before Britain and France undermined its very foundations.
When students have built up a clear picture of the whole incident, they are then ready to tackle a ‘write an account’ question.
The plenary is an A-Z tasks using the key words and events from the lesson.
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, some retrieval practice, differentiated materials and comes in PowerPoint format if there is a wish to adapt and change.
AQA GCSE Conflict and Tension 1918-1939
This lesson is split into two; the first part concentrates on the Mukden incident and the causes of Japan’s invasion into Manchuria in 1931.
Students analyse a map of the area before completing a jigsaw puzzle and explaining in their own words (or pictures) the causes of the invasion.
The second part of the lesson focuses on the consequences on the invasion and how powerless the League was to act, despite the moral condemnation from Lord Lytton’s report.
There are some excellent links to video footage of the invasion in the lesson and how the League reacted to reinforce the learning.
Students also have to decipher some visual images and text to build up a clear picture of the whole incident before they are ready to tackle a ‘write an account’ question.
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, some retrieval practice, differentiated materials and comes in PowerPoint format if there is a wish to adapt and change.
AQA GCSE Conflict and Tension 1918-1939
The aim of this lesson is to make sure students are able to remember the finer points of the Treaty of Versailles, 1919.
By the end of the lesson they should be able to give an accurate, detailed knowledge and understanding of which parts of the Treaty of Versailles the Germans hated the most and why
Using a podcast, video evidence and different revision techniques in the classroom such as using a chatterbox, students using this lesson will have the tools required to answer a GCSE practice question making substantiated judgements.
Furthermore they are given a student friendly markscheme which they can use to peer assess their work.
This lesson has a variety of learning strategies to enable a fun, engaging and challenging lesson.
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, some retrieval practice, differentiated materials and comes in PowerPoint format if there is a wish to adapt and change.
AQA GCSE Conflict and Tension 1918-1939
In this lesson students have the chance to plot a road map following Hitler’s rearmament policy in the 1930’s leading to the outbreak of war.
Students analyse events in Austria, the Saar and political agreements such as the Stresa Front and the Anglo-German naval agreement to judge how these might give Hitler the ‘authorisation’ to rearm.
By the end of the lesson, students will be able to tackle a ‘write an account’ GCSE practice question of how Hitler broke the terms of the Treaty of Versailles.
They will be able to focus on the causes and consequences of Nazi Germany Rearmament, taking advantage of the frailties and insecurities within Europe and the League of Nations.
The plenary further encourages further recall and understanding of Hitler’s aims.
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
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The resource includes suggested teaching strategies, some retrieval practice, differentiated materials and comes in PowerPoint format if there is a wish to adapt and change.
AQA GCSE Conflict and Tension 1918-1939
This lesson analyses the other treaties which were placed upon Germany’s Allies, notably Trianon, St Germain, Neuilly, Sevres and Lausanne.
Students recap quickly on the terms of the Treaty of Versailles and are introduced to the other treaties, which they recognise follow a similar punitive pattern.
As they unpick each of the treaties bestowed upon Austria, Hungary, Bulgaria and Turkey, they have to question why the Allies reversed their original peace treaty of Sevres and evaluate the impact this had on the international community.
This lesson comes with worksheets, differentiated questioning and a plenary which challenges their learning for the lesson.
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, some retrieval practice, differentiated materials and comes in PowerPoint format if there is a wish to adapt and change.
AQA GCSE Conflict and Tension 1918-1939
This is an introductory lesson to the Conflict and Tension course.
The lesson begins with an outline of the course and the topics studied, as well as the four types of GCSE questions this unit will ask.
There is also a student tracking sheet included simplifying the assessment objectives, the GCSE questions and assessments completed.
Students analyse the aims of the Peacemakers before the Treaty of Versailles based on the outcomes of the war as well as their geographical positions, which will explain their different views and expected outcomes.
Students will also learn what the Big Three of the USA, Britain and France wanted, using maps and video evidence before creating a speech using suggested key words and sentence starters outlining their proposals.
Finally they are given scenarios from the Big Three and have to decide who would approve or disapprove of the views given.
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, differentiated materials and comes in PowerPoint format if there is a wish to adapt and change.
AQA GCSE Conflict and Tension 1918-1939
The aim of this lesson is to anaylse how Hitler united Germany with Austria in 1938.
Students will learn how Hitler fulfilled one of his aims of uniting Germans, the Volksdeutsche, by invading Austria.
This time, Hitler has learned from his mistakes from the Dollfuss affair, but is now in a position of strength.
Students have to decide how ruthless he is in his demands from the Austrian Prime Minister, Schuschnigg.
Students complete a true or false quiz, before analysing video footage and undertaking a card sort activity to determine the causes of consequences of the invasion.
This will enable the students to tackle the ‘write an account’ question.
There is a retrieval grid to complete for the plenary.
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, some retrieval practice, differentiated materials and comes in PowerPoint format if there is a wish to adapt and change.
AQA GCSE Conflict and Tension 1918-1939
This lesson analyses the reasons for Hitler and Stalin signing the Nazi-Soviet Pact (Molotov - Ribbentrop Pact) and how and why Britain and France were rebuffed by Stalin.
Students have the chance to understand the background to their decision and how Stalin had finally had enough of the Allies foreign policy aims towards Hitler.
They do this through using some differentiated resources, including video footage, some higher order questioning as well as evaluating some key sources from the time.
Towards the end of the lesson, students are required to recognise the short and long term consequences of the pact and have the chance to answer a 16 mark GCSE practice question, with some help if required.
The plenary focuses on a literacy task using the key words used in the lesson.
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, some retrieval practice, differentiated materials and comes in PowerPoint format if there is a wish to adapt and change.
AQA GCSE Conflict and Tension 1918-1939
The aims of this lesson are to understand how far the leaders at the Versailles Conference were willing to compromise.
The lesson is quite topical and uses current political events to discuss conciliation and compromise.
The Armistice set out the blueprint which France expected to follow. However despite the differences of the Allied Powers, the pressure to make a decision quickly made the leaders compromise.
As a result, students analyse how the map of Europe was to change. They are led to question which countries were formed and how and why rushing this was may not have been a good idea .
Finally a summary of some of Wilson’s 14 points are evaluated; students have to decide who would have had the most objection to each point and justify their reasons.
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, some retrieval practice, differentiated materials and comes in PowerPoint format if there is a wish to adapt and change.
AQA GCSE Conflict and Tension 1918-1939
This lesson aims to question the purpose of the League of Nations and why it was set up in the first place.
Students have a series of questions to think about and make inferred judgements on, before the answers are revealed.
As they analyse a number of sources, video footage and statements, they build up a picture of the purpose as well as the strengths and weaknesses of the League of Nations.
This gives them a great foundation to build upon, as they scrutinise the League of Nation’s structure and responses to world crises in subsequent lessons.
Ultimately as they analyse the aims of the League of Nations, they will be able to evaluate if those aims were ever met throughout the course.
The plenary requires them to sum up what they have learnt with a focus upon the strengths of the League of Nations.
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, some retrieval practice, differentiated materials and comes in PowerPoint format if there is a wish to adapt and change.
AQA GCSE Conflict and Tension 1918-1939
This is the final lesson in exploring the causes of the Second World War (WWII).
As Hitler invades Poland, students reflect upon the main reasons why Europe descended into war.
Students are required to colour code the main causes of World War II by linking them to five main categories.
They also have a chance to demonstrate their understanding by providing evidence and qualifying their judgements.
The final part of the lesson is geared towards preparing them for an assessment by analysing and tackling typical GCSE questions with help given 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, some retrieval practice, differentiated materials and comes in PowerPoint format if there is a wish to adapt and change.
AQA GCSE Conflict and Tension 1918-1939
Despite its idealistic aims, the League of Nations did have some successes particularly with its Commissions.
Although it is very easy to focus on its problems during the 1920’s, there is a clear theme in the GCSE exam to discuss the successes and well as the League of Nation’s failures.
With differentiated worksheets and key information about the Commissions to evaluate, students will at the end of the lesson be able to give examples and evidence to show and discuss the successes.
The plenary focuses on recalling their new found knowledge and introduces students to the idea of tackling the higher mark questions first, as in the exam.
There is a differentiated homework research task included 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, some retrieval practice, differentiated materials and comes in PowerPoint format if there is a wish to adapt and change.
AQA GCSE Conflict and Tension 1918-1939
This lesson aims to focus on how the League was organised and run on a day to day basis.
Despite some strengths, students analyse the League of Nation’s inherent weaknesses from the start.
Using source material, video footage and worksheets, students work out how and why each part of the League of Nation’s structure (such as the Assembly or the Council) was a strength as well a weaknesses.
They can then put their new found knowledge to the test using specific skills to analyse and evaluate source exam practice questions.
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, some retrieval practice, differentiated materials and comes in PowerPoint format if there is a wish to adapt and change.
AQA GCSE Conflict and Tension 1918-1939
What did Hitler want for Germany when he came to power and what were Hitler’s aims?
This lesson is a key component to understanding and analysing the causes of World War II.
Students are introduced to Hitler’s foreign policy and decide which were his six main aims for Germany.
They also have to link these aims back to the Treaty of Versailles and decide what Hitler’s intentions were from the start.
There is a chance to complete a literacy challenge at the end as well as answering a GCSE source question with some guidance given 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, some retrieval practice, differentiated materials and comes in PowerPoint format if there is a wish to adapt and change.
AQA GCSE Conflict and Tension 1918-1939
This lesson analyses the weaknesses of the League of Nations.
Students recap on some of its successes at the start and link images and films to its performance in the 1920s.
They then have to analyse and evaluate a list of sixteen statements and prioritise the reasons why the League of Nations ultimately failed.
They are also given some GCSE exam practice questions with advice on how to answer them correctly, complete with model answers and how to plan using key skills in the exam.
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, some retrieval practice, differentiated materials and comes in PowerPoint format if there is a wish to adapt and change.
AQA GCSE Conflict and Tension 1918-1939
How was the League of Nation’s affected by the Wall Street Crash and the Great Depression which followed?
This lesson aims to explore how the League of Nation’s weaknesses came to the fore as countries such as Germany and Italy looked to dictators like Hitler and Mussolini to solve their problems.
Students use a cause and consequences exercise and then analyse Stresemann’s policies to build up a picture of why the League lost favour in the 1930’s.
There is also a chance to complete a GCSE source question which focuses on provenance.
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, some retrieval practice, differentiated materials and comes in PowerPoint format if there is a wish to adapt and change.
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.
AQA GCSE Britain: Health and the People, c1000 to present
The aim of the lesson is for students to understand how Public Health reached a crisis point and why the Government was finally persuaded to make Public Health its priority from its previous laissez-faire stance…
Students will learn about 5 key figures (Chadwick, Snow, Bazalgette, Booth and Rowntree) and their attempts to change the health of the nation, from tackling cholera, miasmas and sewage, to the passing of Public Health Acts.
Moreover, students will evaluate why attitudes changed and how the Government realised a healthier workforce was needed to compete with challenges to the Empire from abroad.
Each of the five individuals are analysed and their work scrutinised to judge how effective their recommendations or improvements were, culminating in a decision as to who made the most significant contribution to Public Health.
The lesson includes worksheets for all the individuals, GCSE practice questions on factors and source analysis, quizzes and video links throughout.
There are also plenaries for each individual to check understanding and recap on their contribution to Public Health.
This lesson is fully resourced and can be delivered over two-three lessons.
The lesson is enquiry based with a key question using a lightbulb posed at the start of the lesson and revisited at the end to show the progress of learning.
The resource comes in PowerPoint format if there is a wish to adapt and change.
I have also included suggested teaching strategies to deliver the lesson and there are differentiated materials included.