This lesson has a focus on the development of nuclear weapons from 1945 until the end of the 1950s. RECAP: Students given an A-Z grid and asked to think of one or two key terms they have already learned for this whole unit. BACKGROUND: A basic slide covering the development of nuclear weapons. Allows the students a chance to understand and discuss the various types of nuclear weapons at this time. STARTER: Questions and key terms to be discussed. A class clip which key questions to the side. TASK 1: A printable comprehension sheet using the fact sheet from the lesson which is also provided. TASK 2: Students to use the fact sheet to create their own timeline/living graph to show the development and threat level of each stage. EXAM QUESTION: Explain the importance of the Arms Race to the development of the Cold War after 1945. Sentence starters and help given. EXTENSION TASK: To infer meaning from a political cartoon about the Arms Race. RECAP: 10 Key questions from the lesson. UPDATE 2023: Please note that all images (clipart/vector/illustrations/photographs) are in the public domain and are therefore classed as Creative Commons 1.0 unless otherwise attributed in the notes section of each slide. If you believe there are any errors, please email me directly in the first instance to resolve the issue.

This is a lesson for Edexcel GCSE History. Medicine in Britain Historic Environment: The British sector of the Western Front 1914-1918: injuries, treatment and the trenches. This lesson introduces the students to the kind of knowledge and exam skills which are required for this part of the Medicine in Britain unit. Students will be introduced to the exam skills and given a variety of activities and discussion tasks to get them thinking about a historical enquiry and the use of sources. 2023 UPDATE INFO: To take into account copyright, photographic and cartoon images have been attributed where appropriate and are, to the best of my knowledge, all in the public domain. Images created by myself using Power Point tools have also been noted as creations of RAResources. Please contact me in person if you see any errors.

**This lesson looks at the various methods and organisations used by the Nazi Party to create a police state (SS, SD, Gestapo, the legal system and concentration camps). Students encouraged to explain how successful each method was with the eventual completion of a 12 mark question. ** This lesson includes: Clear learning aims/targets Provoking starter tasks and discussion activities Printable worksheets Engaging background information Challenge tasks Exam links Learning Review Fact Sheet linked to the GCSE specification All images used in this lesson are in the public domain and are therefore copyright free at the time of publishing. Images which require attribution have been attributed in the notes section of each slide where the image appears. If you feel any errors have been made, please contact me at raschoolresources@gmail.com in the first instance to resolve any issues. My lessons are completed using PowerPoint and designed on widescreen formatting. Thank you. This resource is for personal use only and for copyright reasons should not be copied/amended for commercial use.

This lesson explores the relationship between Queen Elizabeth I and Mary, Queen of Scots. It then helps students to explain why Mary, Queen of Scots was a significant threat to Elizabeth. This lesson has been updated in line with the 2025/26 amended specification and changes to some exam questions. The resource pack includes: 1 x Fact sheet - Why was Mary, Queen of Scots a threat to Elizabeth I? (PDF & PPT) 2 x Model answer student worksheet The 24 slide Main PowerPoint for the lesson includes: Slide 1: Title slide Slide 2: Learning Recap Activity - The foreign threats to Elizabeth I with answers Slide 3-4: Learning Recap Quiz - Challenges to Elizabeth I quiz with answers Slide 7-11: Background information about Mary, Queen of Scots with added activities throughout. Slide 12: Discussion activity - What should Elizabeth I do with Mary, Queen of Scots? Slide 13-15: Task 1 - Mary, Queen of Scots fact fill with printable worksheets Slide 16-17: Explaining Mary’s threat table fill with printable worksheet and clear instructions Slide 18: Follow up challenge questions Slide 19-20: Learning recap true or false quiz with answers and corrections Slide 21-23: Example practice exam questions Slide 24: Lesson fact sheet based on GCSE specification. All images used in this lesson are in the public domain and are therefore copyright free. Images which require attribution have been attributed in the notes section of each slide where the image appears. If you feel any errors have been made, please contact me at raschoolresources@gmail.com in the first instance to resolve any issues. My lessons are completed using PowerPoint and designed on widescreen formatting. **This resource is for personal use only and for copyright reasons should not be copied/amended for commercial use. **

**The main focus of this lesson is for students to decide if King Charles II of England deserved the nickname, the ‘Merry Monarch’. Students will be provided with background information about the transition of rule between Oliver Cromwell and Charles II and then be given a set of facts about Charles II’s reign to help them decide if Charles II was more focussed on ‘business’ or ‘pleasure’. ** Other tasks in this lesson include an activity about the ‘Great Frost Fair’ of 1683. The lesson contains a variety of discussion tasks, warm up start activities, printable resources, and learning reviews as well as engaging background information and challenge questions for higher ability students. There is a choice of printable resources to suit different ages and abilities. The lesson is mainly aimed at KS3 students between the ages of 11-14 but can easily be adapted for younger or older students. Please be kind enough to leave a review of this lesson if you have found it effective. Thank you. All images used in this lesson are in the public domain and are therefore copyright free at the time of publishing. Images which require attribution have been attributed in the notes section of each slide where the image appears. If you feel any errors have been made, please contact me at raschoolresources@gmail.com in the first instance to resolve any issues. Thank you.

**In this lesson, students will create a timeline to explain how Hitler was able to manipulate events to help him achieve the dictatorship of Germany by 1934. ** This lesson includes: Clear learning aims/targets Provoking starter tasks and discussion activities Printable worksheets Engaging background information Challenge tasks Exam links Learning Review Fact Sheet linked to the GCSE specification All images used in this lesson are in the public domain and are therefore copyright free at the time of publishing. Images which require attribution have been attributed in the notes section of each slide where the image appears. If you feel any errors have been made, please contact me at raschoolresources@gmail.com in the first instance to resolve any issues. My lessons are completed using PowerPoint and designed on widescreen formatting. Thank you. This resource is for personal use only and for copyright reasons should not be copied/amended for commercial use.

**In this lesson, students will examine the main events of the ‘Glorious Revolution’ in the years 1688-9. They will learn all about the background to the revolution and be able to fully explain why Parliament were concerned about the rule of King James II. Students will have an opportunity to create their own storyboard of the events as well as then explain the significance of the Glorious Revolution. ** Students will also be able to use this information to explain the significance of the Bill of Rights and the equal rule of William III and Mary II. The lesson contains a variety of discussion tasks, warm up start activities, printable resources, and learning reviews as well as engaging background information and challenge questions for higher ability students. There is a choice of printable resources to suit different ages and abilities. The lesson is mainly aimed at KS3 students between the ages of 11-14 but can easily be adapted for younger or older students. Please be kind enough to leave a review of this lesson if you have found it effective. Thank you. All images used in this lesson are in the public domain and are therefore copyright free at the time of publishing. Images which require attribution have been attributed in the notes section of each slide where the image appears. If you feel any errors have been made, please contact me at raschoolresources@gmail.com in the first instance to resolve any issues. Thank you.

This lesson includes all resources needed to teach the importance, narrative and consequences of Cominform and Comecon for Edexcel. A printable A4 fact sheet has been included at the end of the lesson which saves the use of the text book. RECAP 1: Heads and Tails - match the Cold War key term to its meaning. Answers revealed in the presentation for students to peer mark afterwards. RECAP 2: Vocabulary/Literacy - students select the terms which best describe the relationship between the USA and Soviet Union at this point in their study. STARTER: A focus on the two terms Cominform and Comecon - what do they mean? **BACKGROUND: **The possibility to run through the basics and the narrative of the announcement of the two organisations with your students. TASK OPTION 1: Students to copy and complete a table to identify the main aims and outline Cominform and Comecon. TASK OPTION 2: A printable worksheet for students to be used with the fact sheet. EXAM FOCUS AND TASK: Another opportunity to focus on the narrative account. This time, students have the opportunity to complete a narrative timeline (see image) and link the causes and and consequences of each event together. Printable worksheet available and an example given to model what is expected. **RECAP: **A 10 question quiz called ‘Cominform’ or ‘Comecon’? Students have to match the statement to the organisation it belongs to. UPDATE 2023: Please note that all images (clipart/vector/illustrations/photographs) are in the public domain and are therefore classed as Creative Commons 1.0 unless otherwise attributed in the notes section of each slide. If you believe there are any errors, please email me directly in the first instance to resolve the issue.

**In this lesson, students will be given all the facts they need to help them fully explain the reasons why Philip II’s Spanish Armada was defeated by the English during the reign of Elizabeth I. ** Students will be able to analyse the strengths and weaknesses of each side using a range of easy to access historical sources, fact sheets and top trump style activities. The lesson will then provide a guide for students to help them complete a piece of extended writing about the reasons for the Spanish defeat. This single resource contains: 1 x main lesson PowerPoint 1 x A4 set of fact sheets 1 x A4 set of differentiated fact sheets 1 x A4 writing frame The lesson contains plenty of activities, printable resources, starter and plenary tasks, engaging background information and discussion points for both high and lower ability students. All images used in this lesson are in the public domain and are therefore copyright free at the time of publishing. Images which require attribution have been attributed in the notes section of each slide where the image appears. If you feel any errors have been made, please contact me at raschoolresources@gmail.com in the first instance to resolve any issues. Thank you.

**This lesson allows students to learn about the main reasons why there had been growing tension between England and Spain during the reigns of Queen Elizabeth I and King Philip II. ** -Students will be able to describe the arguments and issues both sides had with each other and then explain in more depth why these arguments finally led to the Spanish sending the Armada to invade England in 1588. -Students will have the opportunity to evaluate which factor led to the most tension between each country and as an outcome, students will be guided through a piece of historical writing about the causes of the Spanish Armada. ** This single resource contains:** 1 x main lesson PowerPoint 1 x A4 differentiated writing frame 1 x BONUS Francis Drake Research/Homework sheet All images used in this lesson are in the public domain and are therefore copyright free at the time of publishing. Images which require attribution have been attributed in the notes section of each slide where the image appears. If you feel any errors have been made, please contact me at raschoolresources@gmail.com in the first instance to resolve any issues. Thank you.

**In this lesson, students will learn about the many discoveries of the Scientific Revolution. Students will be able to define what historians mean by the term Scientific Revolution as well as the descriptions of the ‘Age of Faith’, the ‘Age of Reason’ and the ‘Enlightenment’. ** They will then study the various discoveries of the time and think about which of these discoveries was the most significant. The lesson will help students think about the idea of significance and guide students through the process of completing their own living graph diagram about the discoveries. It will also then guide students through completing an extended piece of writing about the discoveries of the Scientific Revolution. The lesson contains a variety of discussion tasks, warm up start activities, printable resources, and learning reviews as well as engaging background information and challenge questions for higher ability students. There is a choice of printable resources to suit different ages and abilities. The lesson is mainly aimed at KS3 students between the ages of 11-14 but can easily be adapted for younger or older students. Please be kind enough to leave a review of this lesson if you have found it effective. Thank you. All images used in this lesson are in the public domain and are therefore copyright free at the time of publishing. Images which require attribution have been attributed in the notes section of each slide where the image appears. If you feel any errors have been made, please contact me at raschoolresources@gmail.com in the first instance to resolve any issues. Thank you.

In this lesson, students examine the various threats and challenges which Queen Elizabeth faced from other countries such as Spain, France and Scotland as well as the influence of the Pope. This lesson has been updated ready for the 2025 exams onwards and is based on the recently published GCSE specification. The lesson includes: 1 x Fact Sheet/Revision Sheet - What were Elizabeth’s Threats from Abroad? 1 x Worksheet - Students outline, explain and then rate the threat of each nation. Main Power Point Lesson - 15 slides: Slide 1: Title slide Slide 2-3: Previous learning recap picture activity with answers revealed Slide 4: Starter discussion Slide 5: Starter Activity - Based on a religious map of Europe in 1558. Slide 6: Task 1 - Instructions to the table based sorting activity (links to additional worksheet) Slide 7-8: Task 2 - Outlining, explaining and rating the threats from abroad. Slide 9: Follow up challenge questions Slide 10-11: Learning Review 10 question quiz with answers revealed. Slide 12-14: Example exam questions with printable answer sheets Slide15: Lesson Fact sheet based on the GCSE specification. All images used in this lesson are in the public domain and are therefore copyright free at the time of publishing. Images which require attribution have been attributed in the notes section of each slide where the image appears. If you feel any errors have been made, please contact me at raschoolresources@gmail.com in the first instance to resolve any issues. My lessons are completed using PowerPoint and designed on widescreen formatting. Thank you. **This resource is for personal use only and for copyright reasons should not be copied/amended for commercial use. **

This lesson covers the causes, events and significance of the Revolt of the Northern Earls (1569). This lesson has been updated in line with the 2025/6 amended specification and so takes into account amendments to the spec. and exam questions. The lesson pack includes: 1 x A4 Fact sheet - The Revolt of the Northern Earls (PDF & PPT) 1 x Main 19 slide PowerPoint The Main PowerPoint includes: Slide 1: Title Slide Slide 2-3: Threats to Elizabeth Picture Quiz with answers Slide 4: The Revolt of the Northern Earls as a turning point Slide 5-6: Starter Activity Gap Fill Slide 7: Background information - Why was there Catholic opposition in the North? Slide 8-9: Task 1 - Reasons for the Revolt of the Northern Earls instructions and printable worksheet. Slide 10-12: Task 2 - The events and failure of the Revolt of the Northern Earls activities, printable worksheets and instructions. Slide 13: Why was the revolt significant? Slide 14-15: Learning Review Match Up Key Names with answers Slide 16: Additional printable worksheet Slide 17-18: Sample exam questions Slide 19: Lesson fact sheet All images used in this lesson are in the public domain and are therefore copyright free. Images which require attribution have been attributed in the notes section of each slide where the image appears. If you feel any errors have been made, please contact me at raschoolresources@gmail.com in the first instance to resolve any issues. My lessons are completed using PowerPoint and designed on widescreen formatting. Thank you. **This resource is for personal use only and for copyright reasons should not be copied/amended for commercial use. **

UPDATED FOR LATEST 2025 SPEC & EXAM FORMAT **This lesson examines the problems Elizabeth I faced when she first became Queen of England in 1558 such as questions about her gender, pressure to marry, the country’s finances and threats towards her. ** Included in this resource: 1 x A4 fact sheet linked to Elizabeth’s challenges in 1558. (PDF & PPT) Main 14 slide Power Point Presentation: Slide 1: Title page - The Challenges faced by Elizabeth I in 1558 Slide 2-4: Previous lesson recap match-up about Elizabethan government and society. Includes answers and printable student worksheets. Slide 5-6: Starter Task - What challenges do you think Elizabeth faced? Slide 7-8: Task 1 - Identify the challenges Elizabeth I faced from the images. Answers provided. Slide 9-10: Task 2 - Student worksheet and instructions Slide 11: Follow up challenge questions including practice exam question Slide 12: Practice exam question Slide 13: Two learning review activities Slide 14: Fact sheet based on the GCSE specification. All images used in this lesson are in the public domain and are therefore copyright free at the time of publishing. Images which require attribution have been attributed in the notes section of each slide where the image appears. If you feel any errors have been made, please contact me at raschoolresources@gmail.com in the first instance to resolve any issues. My lessons are completed using PowerPoint and designed on widescreen formatting. Thank you. This resource is for personal use only and for copyright reasons should not be copied/amended for commercial use.

2023 UPDATE INFO: To take into account copyright, images have been attributed where appropriate and are, to the best of my knowledge, all in the public domain. Images created by myself using Power Point tools have also been noted as creations of RAResources. Please contact me in person if you see any errors. This lesson covers the actions and Presidency of Ronald Reagan during the time known as the Second Cold War. Students will examine his tougher policy towards the Soviet Union and focus their attention on his ‘Star Wars’ Programme (Strategic Defence Initiative) and its importance and consequences at the time. **Starter: **Students are given 10 technological developments of the 1980s and from the descriptions, have to identify what they were. This will give the students historical context to the 1980s and the amount of technological and scientific progress at the time. **Background: **Students will then be briefly taken through the background developments which cover Reagan’s main policies towards the Soviet Union and the increasing ‘war of words’ between the two sides. **Task Sheet: **(See image) this sheet questions the student’s understanding of the main developments of Reagan’s Second Cold War and specifically the Strategic Defence Initiative. There are 13 questions in total on the worksheet which require a variety of skills such as source analysis and explanation of importance and consequences. **Recap: **Students are given a table of 8 key terms from the lesson. Their task is to write a suitable question to achieve the key term as an answer. This task can be printed off for a written worksheet or simply displayed on the board. Extension Tasks: Two political cartoons are shown about the Strategic Defence Initiative. Students need to analyse their meaning. Exam Questions: Exam questions have been written for the students on this topic (consequence, narrative and importance). **Information Fact Sheet: **A printable fact sheet has been provided for the students to use in place or or in addition to the text book.

This lesson examines the divide between the Protestant and Catholic Church during the time of Elizabeth’s reign and how it caused tension and conflict in society and Elizabeth’s government. The lesson has been updated fully in line with the new GCSE specification and exam paper amendments. The lesson includes: 1 x A4 Fact sheet covering religious differences between Catholics & Protestants in 1558 (PDF & PPT) 1 x A4 Printable worksheet The 18 slide main Power Point includes: Title slide: The religious divisions in Elizabethan England Slide 1-3: Gap fill activity to recap the main threats Elizabeth I faced in 1558. Slide 5: Source analysis activity based on the different religious views of Elizabeth I and King Philip II of Spain Slide 6: Starter discussion activity Slide 7-10: Background information about the events of the Reformation in Europe and its impact on Elizabeth and England. Slide 11-13: Task 1 - Sorting activity to identify Catholic and Protestant beliefs & key terms Slide 14: Task 2 instructions which link to the worksheet Slide 15: Exam focus assessment questions with prompts Slide 16-17: Learning review picture quiz with answers Slide 18: Fact sheet based on the GCSE specification. All images used in this lesson are in the public domain and are therefore copyright free at the time of publishing. Images which require attribution have been attributed in the notes section of each slide where the image appears. If you feel any errors have been made, please contact me at raschoolresources@gmail.com in the first instance to resolve any issues. My lessons are completed using PowerPoint and designed on widescreen formatting. Thank you. This resource is for personal use only and for copyright reasons should not be copied/amended for commercial use.

**In this lesson, students will be able to explain the causes of the Great Fire of London as well as the many reasons why the fire was able to spread so quickly over such a large distance. ** Students will be able to analyse extracts from the diary of Samuel Pepys as well as study illustrations and paintings of the fire to help them understand the impact the fire had on people’s lives. Students will then read information about the fire to help them understand what type of methods were used to fight the fire and the role of individuals such as King Charles II in helping to stop the fire. The lesson contains a variety of discussion tasks, warm up start activities, printable resources, and learning reviews as well as engaging background information and challenge questions for higher ability students. There is a choice of printable resources to suit different ages and abilities. The lesson is mainly aimed at KS3 students between the ages of 11-14 but can easily be adapted for younger or older students. Please be kind enough to leave a review of this lesson if you have found it effective. Thank you. All images used in this lesson are in the public domain and are therefore copyright free at the time of publishing. Images which require attribution have been attributed in the notes section of each slide where the image appears. If you feel any errors have been made, please contact me at raschoolresources@gmail.com in the first instance to resolve any issues. Thank you.

In this lesson, students will study the role of Matthew Hopkins during the 1640s in England. Students will learn about Hopkins’ background, the methods he used to gain confessions from suspected witches, people’s beliefs about witchcraft and finally explain why Matthew Hopkins was a significant historical figure during the time of the ‘witch craze’ in England in the 1640s. The lesson contains a variety of discussion tasks, warm up start activities, printable resources, and learning reviews as well as engaging background information and challenge questions for higher ability students. There is a choice of printable resources. The lesson is mainly aimed at KS3 students between the ages of 11-14 but can easily be adapted for younger or older students. Please be kind enough to leave a review of this lesson if you have found it effective. Thank you. All images used in this lesson are in the public domain and are therefore copyright free at the time of publishing. Images which require attribution have been attributed in the notes section of each slide where the image appears. If you feel any errors have been made, please contact me at raschoolresources@gmail.com in the first instance to resolve any issues. Thank you.

**In this lesson, students will be able to understand the various reasons why there was a ‘witch craze’ in the mid-1600s in England. ** -Students will discuss the meaning of the term ‘witchcraft’ before studying the various factors that led to the witch craze such as the role of Matthew Hopkins, attitudes towards women, the English Civil War, the influence of monarchs and the influence of the Church and religion. Students will then have an opportunity to evaluate the impact these factors had. The 23-slide lesson contains a variety of discussion tasks, warm up start activities, printable resources, and learning reviews as well as engaging background information and challenge questions for higher ability students. There is a choice of printable resources. The lesson is mainly aimed at KS3 students between the ages of 11-14 but can easily be adapted for younger or older students. Please be kind enough to leave a review of this lesson if you have found it effective. Thank you. All images used in this lesson are in the public domain and are therefore copyright free at the time of publishing. Images which require attribution have been attributed in the notes section of each slide where the image appears. If you feel any errors have been made, please contact me at raschoolresources@gmail.com in the first instance to resolve any issues. Thank you.

**This lesson provides an excellent way to introduce students to the era of the Stuart English/Scottish monarchs between 1603 and 1714. ** Students will learn about the end of the Tudor reign after the death of Elizabeth I and then be given engaging activities to help them complete a timeline of the main Stuart monarchs and seven key events which took place during the reign of the Stuarts. The lesson contains a variety of discussion tasks, activities, printable resources, starters and learning reviews. The outcome will be the completion of a timeline which shows the chronological order of the Stuart Monarchs and the main events of the time. The lesson contains: 1 x Main Power Point (11 slides) 3 x Choice of A4 timeline templates for student to complete using the facts from the main Power Point Please be kind enough to leave a review of this lesson if you have found it effective. Thank you. All images used in this lesson are in the public domain and are therefore copyright free at the time of publishing. Images which require attribution have been attributed in the notes section of each slide where the image appears. If you feel any errors have been made, please contact me at raschoolresources@gmail.com in the first instance to resolve any issues. Thank you.