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History
Greek Myths: Perseus and Medusa
This engaging and detailed lesson enables students to gain a deep understanding of the Greek Myth ‘Perseus and Medusa.’ In doing so, students learn to interpret and infer the key elements of plot in texts, comment upon the key themes and plot ideas running through a text, and empathise with the first-person perspective of a character.
The lesson follows a clear, logical, bite-size learning journey, which guides students towards differentiated learning objectives. Over the course of this journey, they become able to:
- Define the key term ‘bravery’ and understand its position as a theme within the plot;
- Read the story ‘Perseus and Medusa’ and interpret the key meanings;
- Identify, explain, and analyse the key plot elements and themes in ‘Perseus and Medusa;’
- Storyboard the main plot features in the text;
- Engage deeply with the text by inferring the thoughts and feelings of the main character;
- Peer assess each other’s learning attempts.
This resource pack includes:
- A visually engaging whole-lesson PowerPoint presentation;
- Paper copies and online links to the extract needed for the lesson;
- Plot and Themes worksheet;
- Storyboard template;
- A detailed lesson plan, complete with what the teacher and students should aim to achieve at each stage of the lesson.
All images are licensed for commercial use, and are cited on the final slide of the PowerPoint.
Napoleon Bonaparte - Knowledge Organiser!
This clear, detailed and visually-appealing resource offers a complete reference point for children learning about Napoleon Bonaparte, as a part of their history study of ‘Significant Individuals.’ It contains comprehensive sections entitled:
Overview;
Times in His Life;
Important Vocabulary;
Napoleon Bonaparte Timeline;
Answers to the Important Questions;
Top Ten Facts.
The resource is designed to be printed onto either A4 or A3, and is provided as both a PDF and a Word version (so that you can edit if you want to). All images used are licensed for commercial use.
Florence Nightingale - Exploring Sources - KS1 History Lesson!
In this engaging lesson, children develop their understanding of Florence Nightingale, through exploring a number of sources, including:
-An image of a ward at the Scutari hospital at the time;
-A map presenting relevant places during the Crimean War;
-Extracts from her personal memoirs and guidance to nurses;
-Uniform lists for nurses at the time.
The learning is guided by a clear and colourful PowerPoint presentation, which guides students through the following step-by-step journey:
-Knowledge Recall - gauging what children already know about Florence Nightingale and gathering what else they would like to know;
-Investigating sources, using the sources provided and a helpful research template;
-Sharing their findings with the other members of their class;
-Demonstrating their understanding through dramatic and creative activities;
-Completing plenary activities to demonstrate their understanding of each of the concepts learnt in the lesson;
-Self-reflecting on the extent to which they feel they have met the learning objective.
Included is the comprehensive PowerPoint presentation (around 20 slides), the sources, and the research template (in both Word and PDF).
In the past, I have used this lesson with children in KS1 (years 1 and 2) - the key learning is aligned with curriculum expectations for history. All images are licensed for commercial use.
Florence Nightingale - Creating Timelines - KS1 History Lesson!
In this engaging lesson, children create Florence Nightingale timelines, based on their learning about the key events in her life.
The learning is guided by a clear and colourful PowerPoint presentation, which guides students through the following step-by-step journey:
-Knowledge Recall - gauging what children already know about Florence Nightingale’s life;
-Completing a card sorting activity, in which they sequence the main events of Florence Nightingale’s life;
-Use this information, and the rules given on the presentation, to create their own Florence Nightingale timetables;
-Completing plenary activities to demonstrate their understanding of each of the concepts learnt in the lesson;
-Self-reflecting on the extent to which they feel they have met the learning objective.
Included is the comprehensive PowerPoint presentation (19 slides), and the resources for the card sorting activity (in both Word and PDF).
In the past, I have used this lesson with children in KS1 (years 1 and 2) - the key learning is aligned with curriculum expectations for history. All images are licensed for commercial use.
The Battle of Britain - History Knowledge Organiser!
This clear, detailed and visually-appealing resource offers a complete reference point for students learning or revising knowledge relating to the Battle of Britain. There are comprehensive sections on:
-British of Britain Overview;
-Major Events;
-Key People, Places and Equipment;
-Important Facts;
-Timeline;
-Key Vocabulary.
The resource is designed to be printed onto A3 or A4, and is provided as both a PDF and a Word version (so that you can edit if you want to). All images used are licensed for commercial use and are cited on a separate document (included). It is most suitable for students in upper KS2, but could also be used with lower KS3 students.
Henry VII - Knowledge Organiser!
This clear, detailed and visually-appealing resource offers a complete reference point for children learning about Henry VII. It is particularly useful for those completing a history study of the monarchy in England, the Tudor dynasty or significant individuals in historical societies. It contains comprehensive sections entitled:
Overview;
Times in His Life;
Important Vocabulary;
Henry VII Timeline;
Answers to the Important Questions;
Top Ten Facts.
The resource is designed to be printed onto A3, and is provided as both a PDF and a Word version (so that you can edit if you want to). All images used are licensed for commercial use.
Battle of Britain Knowledge Organiser/ Revision Mat!
This detailed and visually-appealing resource offers a complete reference point for students learning or revising knowledge of The Battle of Britain. It contains comprehensive sections on:
-Overview and Maps;
-Key People and Forces;
-Important Events and Information;
-Top Ten Battle of Britain Facts;
-Key Vocabulary
-Battle of Britain Timeline.
Key words and ideas are underlined for easy reference. The resource is designed to be printed onto A3, and is provided as both a PDF and a Word version (so that you can edit if you want to). All images used are licensed for commercial use and are cited on a separate document (included). It can be used by students of all ages, but is best suited for those in KS2.
Victorians Non-Fiction Guided Reading Texts and Activities!
Included in this resource pack are three non-fiction information texts, with corresponding activities, about the following areas of Victorian life:
-Life for Rich and Poor Victorian Children;
-Chimney Sweeps;
-The Life of Queen Victoria.
The activities aligned with each text become progressively more difficult, allowing children to showcase different skills, including: retrieving, interpreting, inferring, identifying, analysing, evaluating and creating. This enables you to tailor the learning to children’s individual needs.
All files are provided as PDFs and Word files (in the zip files). I have previously used these resources with Year 3, 4, and 5 children.
The Age of Exploration - KS1 Knowledge Organiser!
This clear, detailed and visually-appealing resource offers a complete reference point for students learning or revising knowledge relating to the The Age of Exploration (sometimes known as The Age of Discovery). It contains comprehensive sections on:
The Age of Exploration Overview;
Overview;
Key People (Christopher Columbus, Vasco de Gama, Abel Tasman);
The Age of Exploration Timeline;
Answers to the Important Questions;
Key Vocabulary;
Top Ten Facts.
The resource is designed to be printed onto A3, and is provided as both a PDF and a Word version (so that you can edit if you want to). All images used are licensed for commercial use and are cited on a separate document (included). It is most suitable for students in KS1/ lower KS2. Another version of this organiser is available for older children.
Ancient Greeks - Democracy and Law - Lesson!
This engaging and purposeful lesson is the third in a series of lessons in which children develop an in-depth understanding of Ancient Greece. There is a particular focus on the achievements of the Ancient Greeks and how these have influenced the world.
In this lesson, children learn about Ancient Greek democracy and law, with a particular focus on Ancient Athens. By the end of the lesson, they:
-Understand the difference between monarchies, dictatorships & democracies; -Explain how matters were decided by democracies in Ancient Athens;
-Describe the similarities and differences between democracy in Ancient Greece and today.
The learning is guided by a clear and colourful PowerPoint presentation, which guides students through the following step-by-step journey:
-Knowledge recall of basic history skills and prior facts about the Ancient Greeks;
-Understanding key information about different types of leadership (monarchies, dictatorships and democracies) and how they vary;
-Understanding that Greek city-states had different forms of leadership and that Athens formed one of the world’s first democracies;
-Understanding the different roles and procedures within Ancient Athenian democracy and law;
-Comparing and contrasting Greek systems to modern-day democracy, and evaluating to what extent they feel that the Athenian system was fair/ effective;
-Demonstrating their knowledge of democracy and law in Ancient Athens through completing a ‘Bloom’s Taxonomy’ style worksheet, with questions requiring progressively more difficult skills and depth of knowledge;
-Self-reflecting on the extent to which they feel they have met the learning objective.
Included is the comprehensive PowerPoint presentation (23 slides), which contains all of the information needed to teach the lesson, and worksheet for the main task (provided in both Word and PDF).
In the past, I have used this lesson with children in lower KS2 (years 3 and 4), however this was an advanced class and these resources could easily be used with upper KS2. The key learning is aligned with KS2 curriculum expectations for history. All images are licensed for commercial use.
Ancient Greeks - Culture and Religion - Lesson!
This engaging and purposeful lesson is the fifth in a series of lessons in which children develop an in-depth understanding of Ancient Greece. There is a particular focus on the achievements of the Ancient Greeks and how these have influenced the world.
In this lesson, children learn all about Greek culture and religion. Specifically, they:
-Learn and recall key facts about Ancient Greek craftsmanship, theatre, philosophy, discovery and architecture;
-Explain what the Greeks believed about various Gods and Goddesses, and how they honoured them;
-Describe the key responsibilities, powers and traits of a God or Goddess.
The learning is guided by a clear and colourful PowerPoint presentation, which guides students through the following step-by-step journey:
-Knowledge recall of history skills and prior facts about the Ancient Greeks;
-Understanding of the concept of ‘culture’;
-Exploring clues from a range of sources to find out more about the key areas of Ancient Greek culture: craftsmanship, theatre, philosophy, discovery and architecture;
-Watching an engaging, age-appropriate video to learn about the main Gods, their roles and what the Greeks believed about them;
-Using clear guidance to research a God of their choice and complete a character profile about them;
-Understanding how the Greeks’ religious beliefs influenced their achievements;
-Self-reflecting on the extent to which they feel they have met the learning objective.
Included is the comprehensive PowerPoint presentation (26 slides), which contains all of the information needed to teach the lesson, the sources for the investigation activity, and the template for the character profile (provided in both Word and PDF).
In the past, I have used this lesson with children in lower KS2 (years 3 and 4), however this was an advanced class and these resources could easily be used with upper KS2. The key learning is aligned with KS2 curriculum expectations for history. All images are licensed for commercial use.
Animal Farm: Squealer (Double Lesson!)
These resources enable students to understand and analyse the character of Squealer in George Orwell’s Animal Farm. More precisely, students learn to make clear and accurate interpretations regarding his role in within the consolidation of Napoleon’s dictatorship. Students also demonstrate their understanding of chapters 7 and 8, with a particular emphasis upon the actions of Squealer. There are easily enough resources here for two lessons.
Students learn through the following tasks:
- Gauging and collaborating previous knowledge of ‘propaganda’ through a discussion-based starter task;
- Using an interactive, out-of-seat, group activity to build understanding of the features of propaganda;
- Reading chapters 7 and 8 with a particular focus on the character of Squealer, and demonstrating their understanding through a related activity sheet;
- Developing their understanding of Squealer’s actions, and finding textual evidence to back this up, through a scaffolded, retrieval activity;
- Using their imaginative and creative skills, in addition to their knowledge of Squealer and propaganda posters, to construct their own propaganda poster for Animal Farm;
- Peer assessing their partners’ learning attempts.
The following resources are provided:
- Engaging and colourful step-by-step PowerPoint
- Teacher lesson guidance/plan;
- Squealer’s Propaganda worksheet;
- Four propaganda texts for group analysis;
- Template for recording group analysis;
- Chapters 7 and 8 worksheet (plus teacher answer sheet);
- Copies of Chapters 7 and 8.
All images and videos are licensed for commercial use, and are cited on the final slide of the PowerPoint.
Animal Farm: The Rise of the Pigs!
These resources enable students to understand and analyse the rise of the pigs towards power in chapters 3 and 4 of George Orwell’s Animal Farm. More precisely, students learn to make clear and accurate interpretations about the emergence of the various characters as leaders on the farm, with appropriate links to individual characters and their allegorical relationship to context.
Students learn through the following tasks:
- Gauging and collaborating prior knowledge through a discussion-based starter task;
- Reading chapters 3 and 4 and demonstrating their understanding through a related group quiz activity;
- Developing their understanding of the changing nature of characters, and their allegorical ties, through a quotation retrieval mind mapping task;
- Analysing the allegorical nature of the pigs, by further exploring their characteristics in relation to those of the communist Russian leaders of the early 20th century;
- Peer assessing their partners’ learning attempts.
The following resources are provided:
- Engaging and colourful step-by-step PowerPoint
- Teacher lesson guidance/plan;
- Analytical paragraphs worksheet;
- Mind-mapping activity template;
- Copies of Chapters 3 and 4.
All images are licensed for commercial use, and are cited on the final slide of the PowerPoint.
Secrets of a Sun King - Chapters 14, 15 and 16 - Triple Lesson!
This engaging and thought-provoking triple-lesson resource aids students in developing a secure understanding of the chapters 14 to 16 of Emma Carroll’s 'Secrets of a Sun King.’ In this section of the text, the children find Kyky’s heart within the canopic jar. They also reach Egypt, and attempt to return the jar to its burial place in the Valley of Kings.
The comprehensive and colourful PowerPoint presentation enables students to understand the text through:
-Retrieving information;
-Inferring and deducing hidden meanings;
-Analysing the writer’s use of language.
The sessions include a range of retrieval, vocabulary, inference, explanation and deeper thinking activities. A clear, colourful and comprehensive PowerPoint presentation guides students through the learning. In addition to this, a ‘Writing to Describe’ helpsheet is provided for the creative activity.
There’s a lot in the session (21 slides in total) so I would recommend breaking into two or even three lessons. The lessons are most suitable for children in key stage 2, (they were originally used for those in years 4 and 5).
Stories from Different Cultures: Recreations (Double-Lesson!)
These interesting and stimulating resources enable students to read and understand a number of texts from different cultures. Students learn about different countries and their social and historical traditions. Students also learn to recreate texts, honing their knowledge of text content, language, and structure choices, whilst simultaneously building their imaginative writing skills. There are easily enough resources here for 2 lessons, at the very least.
The visually engaging, comprehensive PowerPoint presentation guides students through the following learning journey:
- Learning about the cultures of different countries where the short stories originated;
- Reading and understanding the short stories;
- Collaborating in teams in order to analyse the stories in terms of content, language, and structure;
- Understanding the key term 'recreations' and evaluating two recreations of a famous fable;
- Planning and writing their own recreation of one of the texts from different cultures;
- Peer-assessing the recreation attempts of their partner.
Provided in this resource pack is everything that you need to simply print and teach, including:
- Comprehensive PowerPoint presentation;
- Countries fact-sheets
- 4x short stories (The Island of the Sun - China, Narcissus and Echo - Greece, The Little Beggar - Iraq, and The Princess of Riddles - Portugal.)
- Mind-map activity template;
- Recreations planning template;
- Learning objectives to stick in.
All images are licensed for commercial use and are cited on the final slide.
Perseus and Medusa Poem - Whole Class Reading Session!
This whole class reading session aims to develop children’s comprehension skills through a reading of a narrative poem version of ‘Perseus and Medusa’ (written by Paul Perro and aimed at children).
The resource pack includes the extract and all of the activities for the session, which the class are guided through via a comprehensive PowerPoint presentation. The reading is followed by a series of activities aiming to develop children’s retrieval, explanation, inference, prediction and summarising skills. It also contains a vocabulary check immediately after the text is read to clarify any unfamiliar/ difficult language.
The tasks are comprised of quick-check questions, solo thinking, pair/ group discussions and deeper thinking activities.
The session is best suited for children in lower KS2. I originally used this with Year 3-4 children, although with minor adaptations it could feasibly be used with slightly younger and older year groups. The session is also suitable for home/ remote learning.
Joseph Stalin - Knowledge Organiser/ Revision Mat!
This clear, detailed and visually-appealing resource offers a complete reference point for students learning about Joseph Stalin. It serves as a useful tool in a wider study of the Russian Revolution, The Great Purge, The Cold War, etc. or when learning about ‘significant people’ in history. It contains comprehensive sections entitled:
Overview;
Times in His Life;
Important Vocabulary;
Joseph Stalin Timeline;
Answers to the Important Questions;
Top Ten Facts.
The resource is designed to be printed onto A3, and is provided as both a PDF and a Word version (so that you can edit if you want to). All images used are licensed for commercial use.
The Holocaust: Schindler's List
This lesson aims to help students to write descriptively, using a range of descriptive writing techniques. Students also learn how to incorporate the five senses into their writing. Furthermore, students explore social and moral issues such as 'swimming against the tide' and 'being different,' through the story of Oskar Schindler.
Informative and engaging, this lesson follows a clear and logical learning journey. Students learn to:
- Define the key term 'humane'
- Understand the story of Oskar Schindler, and consider the social and moral dilemmas that he faced;
- Consider decisions that they have had to make which contrast to popular opinion;
- Remember the five senses, and discuss why they are important to descriptive writing;
- Use the five senses to create descriptive sentences based on scenes from Schindler's List;
- Write a descriptive piece about a difficult decision that they have had to make;
- Peer-assess each others' learning attempts.
Resources included are: A whole-lesson PowerPoint, that guides the teacher and learners throughout the entire lesson, an engaging worksheet, a writing to describe help-sheet, and a teacher guidance sheet.
Note: I'm aware that this is a 15 film - however the clips that I have selected are not amongst the most graphic, and so I feel that the lesson can be used with students younger than 15. You will need a Youtube connection for the links to work.
All images are cited at the end of the PowerPoint presentation, and are licensed for commercial use.
Charles Darwin Knowledge Organiser!
This clear, detailed and visually-appealing resource offers a complete reference point for children learning about Charles Darwin. It is particularly useful for those completing a history study of ‘Significant Individuals.’ It contains comprehensive sections entitled:
Overview;
Times in His Life;
Important Vocabulary;
Charles Darwin Timeline;
Answers to the Important Questions;
Top Ten Facts.
The resource is designed to be printed onto A3, and is provided as both a PDF and a Word version (so that you can edit if you want to). All images used are licensed for commercial use.
Tudors and Stuarts Knowledge Organiser/ Revision Mat!
This detailed and visually-appealing resource offers a complete reference point for students learning or revising knowledge relating to the Tudors and Stuarts (1485-1714). It is ideal for students studying at GCSE/ upper KS3 level, and contains comprehensive sections on:
Tudor and Stuart Monarchs - date of reign, biography, spouse info, and key facts;
Major Events and Key Information;
Everyday Life in the Period;
Timeline of Major Events;
Key words and ideas are underlined for easy reference. The resource is designed to be printed onto A3, and is provided as both a PDF and a Word version (so that you can edit if you want to). All images used are licensed for commercial use and are cited on a separate document (included).