The Tudors This lesson sets out to question whether the reason that Henry broke from Rome all along was due to money. His expensive tastes, his wives, his need to build up his navy and coastal defences and to show Europe his prowess all took a toll on his bank balance. The monasteries with their wealth proved all too easy pickings for his Chancellor Thomas Cromwell in his ‘Valour Ecclesiasticus’. The lesson therefore allows the students to build up a picture of his need for money. Through some investigative work, they will shockingly find many ‘abuses’ and ‘vices’ in the monasteries, giving Henry the excuse to close them down and take their money for himself. They also have to complete their own report on the reasons why Henry broke from Rome with these new findings and some deliberately falsified accounts. 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, retrieval practice, differentiated materials and comes in PowerPoint format if there is a wish to adapt and change.

The American West 1835-1895, GCSE 9-1 Edexcel This lesson explores the significance of the Buffalo to the Plains Indians way of life. Students learn about how survival depended on the Buffalo for everything as they analyse which parts of the Buffalo are used for what and how each part had a significance. They can map this out on a printable worksheet. There is an excellent video link to Ray Mears and his brilliant American West series. The final part of the lesson introduces the students to the ‘importance’ question and some tips on how to tackle it for GCSE exam question practice. Some answers for peer assessment are given if required. The plenary requires students to answer questions to reveal a catchphrase from the lesson. The resource is differentiated and gives suggested teaching strategies. Some sentence starters for retrieval practice are also included. It comes in PowerPoint format which can be amended and changed to suit.

The American West 1835-1895, GCSE 9-1 Edexcel This lesson examines the process and problems of migration using the Oregon Trail, exacerbated and proliferated by the discovery of Gold in California. Students analyse the positive and negative effects of migrating to California and are then challenged to link statistics to the various facts shown. There is some text analysis on the Donner Party and its consequences with key questions as well as video footage to reinforce the learning. Some GCSE question practice focuses of the narrative account question with key exam skills attached as well as some help if required. The plenary uses an interactive hangman game. The resource is differentiated and gives suggested teaching strategies. Some retrieval practice using the odd one out is also included. It 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 to analyse the work of the cowboys on the Long Drives and on Cattle Ranches of the American Plains. At the start, some myths are dispelled about cowboys, many of which can be attributed to Hollywood films and John Wayne. Students learn the importance of the Long Drives and the roles the cowboys played in bring the cattle to their final destination, including all the hazards on the way. They also study the life on the ranches and the further difficulties endured by the cowboys in their work. Students are thus prepared to answer a GCSE exam practice question on the importance of cowboys to the cattle industry worth 8 marks, with help given if required. The plenary challenges students to decide if the statements can be categorised to the Ranches or the Long Drive. The resource is differentiated and gives suggested teaching strategies. Some recall retrieval practice is also included. It comes in Powerpoint format which can be amended and changed to suit.

The American West 1835-1895, GCSE 9-1 Edexcel The aim of this lesson is to explore the problems of the rapid rising of mining towns and the lawlessness they created. Students complete a Head and Tails activity and a thinking quilt which challenges them to decide the greatest changes as well as the most important and biggest impact the early towns and settlements brought. There is some GCSE exam question practice on the ‘importance question’, with some help given if required. The resource is differentiated and gives suggested teaching strategies. Some retrieval practice using an A-Z task is also included. It comes in PowerPoint format if there is a wish to adapt and change.

The American West 1835-1895, GCSE 9-1 Edexcel This lesson aims to introduce the Fort Laramie Treaty and how the Government began to force the Plains Indians into fixed territories. Students have to decide and justify why conflict and tension grew between the Plain Indians and white settlers, with some red herrings thrown in for challenge. The terms of the Fort Laramie Treaty are given, which the students should learn and a printable worksheet is provided. They also have to rate the success of each term and/or fact about the Treaty by colour coding a battery and then deciding the problems each might cause. A quick fire quiz also will reinforce their learning. There is some GCSE question practice on the consequences question, with some help given if required. A play your cards right plenary (complete with music) will test chronology and understanding from this and previous lessons. The resource is differentiated and gives suggested teaching strategies. Some retrieval practice is also included on the first slide on treaties. It comes in PowerPoint format if there is a wish to adapt and change.

World War II The aim of this lesson is to decide if everyone celebrated VE Day and the end of World War 2 in May 1945. At first glance, it would appear so as famous pictures at Trafalgar Square show soldiers and civilians alike celebrating as well as the famous faces on the balcony at Buckingham Palace. Students are also given information about the lead up to the German surrender in the form of a quiz, in which they have to choose the right options to gain points. However, further investigation reveals the Americans were still fighting the Japanese in the Pacific, as well as prisoners of war still held captive around the world. Students also have to consider the terrible losses people had gone through and therefore had little cause to celebrate. I have also included some curious questions such as why did divorce rates surge at the end of the war or why were there rumours that soldiers were to be trained in jungle warfare? There is lots of video evidence from the time to accompany the lesson as well as a talking heads plenary, which analyses which leader said what at the end of the war in Europe. 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 includes retrieval practice activities, suggested teaching strategies and differentiated materials and comes in Powerpoint format if there is a wish to adapt and change.

Superpower Relations and the Cold War, 1941-91 This lesson aims to define what the Cold War was about, the differences between Communism and Capitalism and how after 1945, both the Soviet Union and America went from allies to enemies. Students use a map and video footage to define what the Cold War was all about, with a writing frame supplied if required. Students also learn about the different political spectrums in the world at the time and use this knowledge to categorise them in a colour coding activity. They also had to analyse evidence of how mutual suspicions grew which they plot on a suspicion o’meter and justify their choices. The plenary uses a mood board to distinguish between the various ‘moods’ of leaders and soldiers from the time. The lesson is enquiry based with a key question posed at the start of the lesson and revisited throughout this and subsequent lessons to show the progress of learning. The lessons in this bundle are therefore linked together to build up a picture of how diplomacy, propaganda and spying led two Superpowers with opposing political ideologies to create tensions, rivalries and distrust as well as subsequently forming mutual understanding and cooperation over the time period in question. The resource includes suggested teaching strategies and differentiated materials and comes in PowerPoint format if there is a wish to adapt and change.

Superpower Relations and the Cold War, 1941-91 This lesson focuses on the financial aid given to Western Europe as part of the Marshall Plan. Students have to evaluate how significant it was in relation to the Truman Doctrine and how Stalin reacted this ‘dollar imperialism’. There are differentiated questions which explore why this aid was also offered to Eastern bloc countries, how America was able to offer such huge sums and who received a majority of the aid. There is some text to therefore analyse and use to make inferences. The plenary asks students a series of questions which recap the lesson and consolidate their learning from previous ones. There is some GCSE exam question practice to complete, with tips on how to answer the consequences question, with a model answer given if required. The lesson is enquiry based with a key question using a lightbulb posed at the start of the lesson and revisited throughout this and subsequent lessons to show the progress of learning. The lessons in this bundle are therefore linked together to build up a picture of how diplomacy, propaganda and spying led two Superpowers with opposing political ideologies to create tensions, rivalries and distrust as well as subsequently forming mutual understanding and cooperation over the time period in question. The resource includes retrieval practice, suggested teaching strategies, differentiated materials and GCSE exam practice. It also comes in PowerPoint format if there is a wish to adapt and change.

Superpower Relations and the Cold War, 1941-91 The aim of this lesson is to assess then impact of consequences of the Bay of Pigs invasion during the Cold War. Students begin by analysing Castro’s personality in a literacy task, with key word indicators to help. They then have to decide, or not as the case may be, as to whether it was crystal clear if Castro was leaning towards the USA or the Soviet Union. The main task is to find out what happened at the Bay of Pigs, using video evidence and then evaluate the consequences of the invasion in the development of Cold War relations. There is some GCSE exam practice to finish on the importance of the invasion with help and a scaffold included, as well as a model answer for reference. .The lesson is enquiry based with a key question using a lightbulb posed at the start of the lesson and revisited throughout this and subsequent lessons to show the progress of learning. The lessons in this bundle are therefore linked together to build up a picture of how diplomacy, propaganda and spying led two Superpowers with opposing political ideologies to create tensions, rivalries and distrust as well as subsequently forming mutual understanding and cooperation over the time period in question. The resource includes retrieval practice, suggested teaching strategies, differentiated material and GCSE question practice. It comes in PowerPoint format if there is a wish to adapt and change.

Superpower Relations and the Cold War, 1941-91 The aim of this lesson is to assess the importance of Gorbachev’s new thinking and evaluate the consequences of his new policies with the collapse of Soviet control in Eastern Europe Therefore this lesson is divided into two parts and can be delivered over two lessons. The first part of the lesson analyses Gorbachev’s problems when he became the leader of the Soviet Union. Students will analyse sources and decide on the biggest problems he faced before prioritising these in an evaluation task. The second part of the lesson requires the students to undertake a quiz, picking up points on the way with the right decisions made, as Eastern European satellite states began to increase their freedoms and break away from the Soviet Union. Students can write an extended answer from what they have learnt with literacy help given. A GCSE practice question on the importance of Gorbachev’s policies can be completed after a colour coding plenary task to summarise Gorbachev’s premiership. The lesson is enquiry based with a key question using a lightbulb posed at the start of the lesson and revisited throughout this and subsequent lessons to show the progress of learning. The lessons in this bundle are therefore linked together to build up a picture of how diplomacy, propaganda and spying led two Superpowers with opposing political ideologies to create tensions, rivalries and distrust as well as subsequently forming mutual understanding and cooperation over the time period in question. The resource includes retrieval practice, suggested teaching strategies, differentiated material and GCSE question practice. It comes in PowerPoint format if there is a wish to adapt and change.

AQA A Level 1C The Tudors: England 1485-1603 The aim of this lesson is analyse how Henry ruled the country through his government and to make comparisons to how the country is ruled today. Students are given information on Henry’s government, including his relationship with Parliament and the controversial Council Learned and his use of Justices of the Peace. To check their understanding, students undertake a quiz with 150 points up for grabs to give it a competitive edge! A final odd one out activity uses some retrieval practice from the lesson. There is an enquiry question posed at the start of the lesson and revisited throughout to show the progress of learning throughout the lesson and subsequent unit of work. The lesson comes in PowerPoint format and can be changed and adapted to suit. The lesson is differentiated and includes suggested teaching strategies and retrieval practice activities.

AQA A Level 1C The Tudors: England 1485-1603 The aim of this lesson is to assess the threat the nobility posed to Henry VII during his reign. Students begin the lesson by summarising the importance and duties of the nobility and naming some important nobles throughout the country. They then have to assess the threat level posed by the nobles and decide how successful Henry was in reducing their power by plotting this on a grid. Their final task is to take on the role of Henry and decide how he dealt with eight nobles during his reign, whether that be through Acts of Attainder, imprisonment, fines, execution, confiscation of land or other choices given. The plenary asks students to link a number of statistics to the nobles learned throughout the lesson. There is an enquiry question posed at the start of the lesson and revisited throughout to show the progress of learning throughout the lesson and subsequent unit of work. The lesson comes in PowerPoint format and can be changed and adapted to suit. The lesson is differentiated and includes suggested teaching strategies.

AQA A Level 1C The Tudors: England 1485-1603 The aim of this lesson is to assess the early problems Henry faced as King. Students begin by prioritising the problems he faced and also deciding if they were short or long term. There is also some focus reading where they will be required to take notes by categorising the information required. Some video analysis using David Starkey will also give some context to the start of Henry’s reign. There is some exam practice to complete with a supplied writing frame and an introductory model answer to use if required. There is an enquiry question posed at the start of the lesson and revisited throughout to show the progress of learning throughout the lesson and subsequent unit of work. The lesson comes in PowerPoint format and can be changed and adapted to suit. The lesson is differentiated and includes suggested teaching strategies.

AQA A Level 1C The Tudors: England 1485-1603 The purpose of this lesson is to introduce Henry VII’s foreign policy aims. Students are introduced to a map of Europe in 1485 and have to make comparisons and connections to countries on a map of Europe today. They will learn who the major players were in Europe at the time, such as France and evaluate the threats they posed to Henry VII. Students learn the three main aims of Henry’s foreign policy and have to justify which one is being applied to the various treaties and agreements reached with various foreign powers. The plenary checks their understanding of the lesson using a talking heads activity, as they have to decide which European leader would make the given statements from the screen. There is an enquiry question posed at the start of the lesson and revisited throughout to show the progress of learning throughout the lesson and subsequent unit of work. The lesson comes in PowerPoint format and can be changed and adapted to suit. The lesson is differentiated and includes suggested teaching strategies.

AQA A Level 1C The Tudors: England 1485-1603 The aim of this lesson is analyse the rise of the Duke of Northumberland to power. Students are given a timeline of Northumberland’s life and the significant events in his rule during Edward’s reign. They can also complete some source scholarship with views from various historians summarising his governorship. Students also complete a multi-choice quiz on the succession as Northumberland looked to install Lady Jane Gray on the throne and learn the consequences of his political naivety. Points are awarded to give a competitive edge and find out who has clear political acumen in the group. The plenary compares the Dukes of Somerset and Northumberland and what their major differences were. There is an enquiry question posed at the start of the lesson and revisited throughout to show the progress of learning throughout the lesson and subsequent unit of work. The lesson comes in PowerPoint format and can be changed and adapted to suit. The lesson is differentiated and includes suggested teaching strategies.

AQA A Level 1C The Tudors: England 1485-1603 The aim of this lesson is assess the success or failure of Somerset’s domestic and foreign policies. From the beginning students learn about the financial crisis left by Henry VIII and how the Scottish war (including a case study of the Battle of Pinkie) meant that Somerset merely exacerbated rather than solved it. They then have to rate how ‘disastrous’ his foreign policy was in Scotland. They will also evaluate the significance of the Western and Norfolk rebellions by examining their causes, events and Somerset’s response to both of them. Students will then be required to judge his leadership skills. The plenary uses the octagon to discuss the learning from the lesson. There is some exam practice to complete if required, together with a planning sheet, markscheme and prompts to help the students. There is an enquiry question posed at the start of the lesson and revisited throughout to show the progress of learning throughout the lesson and subsequent unit of work. The lesson comes in PowerPoint format and can be changed and adapted to suit. The lesson is differentiated and includes suggested teaching strategies.

AQA A Level 1C The Tudors: England 1485-1603 The aim of this lesson is to judge how successful Mary’s economic policies were. At first glance, it would be easy for students to assume that Mary’s policies failed. Bad harvests, inflation, a sweating sickness ravaging the country and population growth characterised her reign. However, further investigation and analysis will reveal some successes and foundation stones laid for the future with the help of an able Lord Treasurer. A revaluation of the currency, a Militia Act, poor relief and the commissioning of six new ships for the navy were all to be welcomed by Elizabeth and her successors when she became Queen. The plenary is a colour coding exercise where students have to decide which key terms and Acts belonged to either Edward or Mary. The second part of the lesson focus on a mid Tudor crisis. Students can attempt some question practice with planning guidance and a markscheme provided if required. There is an enquiry question posed at the start of the lesson and revisited throughout to show the progress of learning throughout the lesson and subsequent unit of work. The lesson comes in PowerPoint format and can be changed and adapted to suit. The lesson is differentiated and includes suggested teaching strategies.

AQA GCSE 9-1 ELIZABETHAN ENGLAND, 1568-1603 I have produced these flashcards to help students be prepared for and help revise for their GCSE exam on Elizabethan England. They are easy to use and; simply cut out fold and line up. Students can test each other in class or take them for their home learning. The flashcards will help with: Recall, retrieval and retention 3rd tier vocabulary to attain the higher marks in the examination Vast subject content The Historic Environment for Sheffield Manor Lodge, 2023

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.