This KS3 lesson should take at least one hour to complete. The Power Point leads students through all activities and accompanying resources are all included. Aims and Objectives: To know what the Commonwealth was/is. To know the type of work carried out by Commonwealth members during the war. To understand why Commonwealth members signed up. To reach a judgement on how well people from different races were treated during the war. Activities include a starter which defines the Commonwealth and asks students to memorise countries from a map against the clock before playing last man standing. A series of sources are then used to list the reasons why Commonwealth members signed up. There are three versions, including a simpler SEN version and a subsequent version which involves highlighting instead of writing. After watching the BBC newsreel “West Indies Calling” to note done the range of jobs carried out by members of the Commonwealth, we then analyse their treatment using a series of source cards. We test the hypothesis “Commonwealth members faced racism during WW2” by arranging them from agree to disagree. Consideration is also given as to whether relations improved. This leads into the final verdict on whether the BBC newsreel was being truthful about the treatment of Commonwealth members during the war.

This KS3 lesson should take around one hour to complete. The Power Point leads students through all activities and all accompanying resources are included. Aims and Objectives: To know what Hitler’s aims were for young people in Germany. To know the methods that’s the Nazis used to indoctrinate/control young people. To use sources to reach a verdict on how successful the Nazis were in controlling young people. Activities include a starter which asks students to translate Hitler’s aims into an illustration of the ideal Nazi boy and girl (using symbols). A series of sources with questions are then used to investigate various elements of life in Germany from the Hitler Youth, to education and resistance groups. An SEN version of this exercise is also included. Finally, students write a paragraph answer/verdict on how effective the Nazis were in controlling young people.

This unit of work should take at least 3 hours to complete. The Power Point leads students through all activities with answers when required along with the necessary contextual subject knowledge. All accompanying resources are included. I have previously broken this unit down into three classroom lessons and one final IT lesson where students researched their Holocaust hero. LESSON 1 (Growing anti-Semitism of 1930s): Aims and Objectives: To know Hitler’s racial theories. To use sources to explore how these were put into practice throughout the 1930s in Germany. To empathise with those effected through producing a piece of creative writing in the first-person. LESSON 2 (Life in a ghetto): Aims and Objectives: To know what ghettos were and where they were set up. To understand the purpose of the ghettos. To carry out independent research into conditions inside the ghettos and demonstrate empathetic understanding of what it must have been like to live in one. LESSON 3 (The Final Solution): Aims and Objectives: To know the key events which led to the construction of death camps in Eastern Europe. To understand why these camps were created and how they eased the process of mass murder. To understand the motivation and psychology of those involved. The three lessons focus on the journey of two fictional Jewish children throughout the period 1933-45. A short diary entry is written at the end of each lesson explaining what has happened to them at this stage. Lesson 1 explores the growing anti-Semitism of the 1930s using a range of sources to chart the development and escalation. Lesson 2 explores conditions inside the ghetto using video clips and handout. The final lessons explains the process of the Final Solution and focuses upon how it was able to happen (from a psychological angle). The student booklet for this lesson uses a series of sources to explore the key issues. To end the unit on a more optimistic topic, students consider those who stood up against the Holocaust and create a information poster on their hero of the Holocaust.

This KS3 unit of work aims to contextualise the unit of study on WW2 by providing an overview of the key events. It should take between 1-2 hours to complete. I use it near the start of the course before focusing on certain events as depth studies. The Power Point leads students through all activities with all accompanying resources included. Aims and Objectives: To know the main events of WW2. To understand why certain events are of particular significance as turning points. To make a judgement on which events were the most important turning points. Activities include a fun competition starter which recaps on the causes of WW2. Students try to guess the words using a series of images (non historical- just sound right). Having defined a turning-point, students then use the detailed information booklet to make brief notes on the significance of each key event. Finally, they produce a paragraph answer explaining which event was the most significant and why.

To tackle the pressure of limited contact time and such a vast topic, I produced this KS3 unit and managed to condense the delivery down to two hours (although I’m sure more time could be spent on this topic). The Power Point leads the students through all activities with accompanying resources included. Aims and Objectives: To know the main events leading up to the outbreak of World War Two. To work on reading, note-taking and analysis, explaining the significance of these events and how they inter-relate. To make a judgement on the effectiveness of Appeasement. Over the two lessons, the students create a detailed information sheet which breaks the unit into four key areas with specific tasks for each. The booklet provides all of the information required to complete the tasks and there are two versions with one being shorter/easier. There is a focus on reading and comprehension with the teacher increasingly taking a step-back as the work progresses (whole class- paired- individual reading). The four key activities include explaining why the Treaty of Versailles angered Germans, why Germans came to support Hitler, summarising Hitler’s foreign policy aims and considering their appeal, map work on their application and a judgement on the effectiveness of Appeasement. There are extension tasks on linking factors and comparing their importance. There is also a starter quiz to recap lesson one’s work in the second half. This can be done in two hours- I’ve done it.

This KS3 lesson should take around one hour to complete. The Power Point leads students through all activities with accompanying resources included. Feedback/answers are also provided when required. I use this lesson at the start of our scheme of learning on WW2 as it clarifies the political landscape in the 1930s and provides students with the necessary vocabulary and political understanding. Aims and Objectives: To know the different types of political systems and link them to 1930s pre-war politics. To understand how they are similar and different. To consider their strengths, weaknesses and impact on people’s lives. Activities include a video starter which uses a short cartoon to introduce key political concepts. Students use this to match definitions to concepts and then consider what type of political system we live under. They then categorise a series of facts according to the belief system which they describe. As an extension, students list all the differences between democracy and dictatorship and then compare the similarities and differences between communism and dictatorship. Finally, students write a paragraph explaining which system they would most like to live under and why.

This KS3 lesson should take at least one hour. The Power Point leads students through all activities with accompanying resources included. Aims and Objectives: To know the main events of the Great Fire of London. To figure out what caused it, why it spread so quickly and who/what was to blame. To understand how it changed London forever and decide overall if it was a good or bad thing for the city. Activities include a question formation/answer starter whereby students form their own who, what, why, where, when and how questions and then see how many they can answer using the short video. We then sort the cause cards into evidence that the fire was intentional/a plot vs. an accident. We then move on to consider the effects by comparing a picture of London before and after the fire. Having gone though some facts on the extent of the improvements made to the city, students write a paragraph answer deciding whether, on balance, the Great Fire of London was a good or bad thing.

This KS3 unit of work should take around 3 lessons to complete. The Power Point leads students through all activities with accompanying resources included. Aims and Objectives: To know the key facts about Oliver Cromwell- who he was and what he did. To use sources critically to learn more about opinions on Oliver Cromwell. To use our evidence to reach a balanced judgement on whether he was a hero or a villain. Activities include a starter which uses the Monty Python Oliver Cromwell song to recall key facts. Students are then unknowingly issued with a set of either positive or negative sources to create a quick thought-shower and feedback before exploring the reasons why their ideas about Cromwell are so different. We then colour-code Cromwell’s actions into “hero” and “villain” before analysing a range of sources to consider whether they show him in a positive or negative light and how far we trust them. Students then complete an assessed piece of writing, using these sources and their knowledge to answer the key question “Oliver Cromwell: Hero or Villain?”. A writing frame is including, along with a mark scheme which assesses their knowledge/understanding, use of sources and judgement.

This KS3 unit of work should take around two hours to complete. The Power Point leads students through all activities. All resources referred to are included. Aims and Objectives: To know the key events leading up to and during the execution of King Charles I. To understand both the arguments for and against his execution. To write persuasively for one side of the argument. Activities include an introductory definition of “treason” and discussion as to why this is a controversial accusation in this case. A simple overview of the background events such as Pride’s Purge is given before the students analyse a short clip from the program “The Devil’s Whore” to consider the attitudes demonstrated by those involved. Whilst listening to an account of the execution day, students create a series of illustrations and symbols as memory joggers. They then retell the events as a class using their memory joggers. A Dutch engraving of the execution is used to make inferences before a series of statements are categorised into reasons for and against the execution. Students then use their understanding to write a speech either for or against the execution. We then listen to these speeches and turn it into a competition.

This KS3 unit should take around two hours to complete. The Power Point leads students through all of the activities with accompanying resources provided. Having spent considerable time looking at the causes, I tend not to get too bogged down in the events themselves as I’ve found that the students like the lessons on the trial and execution more. This is why I’ve condensed it into two hours. Aims and Objectives: To know who fought who during the English Civil War and to compare the differences between the two sides. To use sources to learn about what life was like at the time in England. To know the key events of the Civil War and select the main reasons why Parliament won. To consider how King Charles might have done better. Activities include a video starter on fighting in the 1600s which enables students to visualise this period of time. Students then label a Roundhead and Royalist soldier and consider which side was better equipped. They analyse a range of sources including a painting, cartoon and written passage to gain insight into what life was like. In the second lesson, they read a passage in pairs to highlight reasons why the king lost. There is also a card sort on this topic which I use as an extension or with my G&T groups. Students then use their understanding to write a letter to King Charles during the war advising him on ways in which he could be more successful.

This Edexcel 9-1 GCSE unit covers around 3 lessons depending upon your class and their overall ability/work rate. Aims and Objectives: To understand the work of Goebbels and the Ministry of Propaganda: censorship, Nazi use of media, rallies and sport, including the Berlin Olympics of 1936. To understand Nazi control of culture and the arts, including art, architecture, literature and film. The Power Point leads students through all activities with accompanying resources. Activities include a short Derren Brown video to introduce the idea of mind control, last man standing on forms of propaganda, source comparison of Hitler and Goebbel’s methods, a Goebbels CV (possible homeowork), analysis of short extract from Triumph of the Will looking for examples of propaganda at the Nuremberg Rally, rearching examples of both propaganda and censorship and a Chamber of Culture simulation exercise sorting art work into keep and dismiss with discussion.

IMPORTANT: One of the activities refers to the textbook "Edexcel GCSE (9-1) History: Weimar and Nazi Germany, 1918-1939 (editor Leonard A. and published by Pearson) ISBN 9781292127347 and will not be usable without a copy of this text or one which explains the roles and functions of the various institutions of the Nazi police state. This Edexcel 9-1 GCSE unit covers around 2-3 lessons depending upon your class and their overall ability/work rate. Aims and Objectives: To understand the role of the Gestapo, the SS, the SD and concentration camps. To understand the Nazi control of the legal system, judges and law courts. To understand the Nazi policies towards the Catholic and Protestant Churches, including the Reich Church and the Concordat. The Power Point leads students through all activities with accompanying resources. Activities include a video starter on who controlled Germany and how, a research table on the role/function of each institution, source analysis on the ways in which they justified their activities, a 12 mark exam explanation question with advice, paired discussion on methods for ensjuring fair sentencing, thought-shower on Nazi control of the legal system, problem-solving starter using a range of symbols and images to compare Nazi and Christian values, analysing a written passage on the church looking for evidence of co-operation and oppression and a final summary revision diagram. The Power Point also contains answers and fedback at intervals.

IMPORTANT: One of the activities in this unit (Night of Long Knives fact file) refers to the textbook "Edexcel GCSE (9-1) History: Weimar and Nazi Germany, 1918-1939 (editor Leonard A. and published by Pearson) ISBN 9781292127347 and will not be usable without a copy of this text or another text which explains the events of the Night of Long Knives. This Edexcel 9-1 GCSE unit covers around 2+ lessons depending upon your class and their overall ability/work rate. Aims and Objectives: To understand the Reichstag Fire. The Enabling Act and the banning of other parties and trade unions. To understand the threat from Röhm and the SA, the Night of the Long Knives and the death of von Hindenburg. Hitler becomes Führer, the army and the oath of allegiance. The Power Point leads students through all activities with accompanying resources. Activities include a video starter asking students to consider how the Nazis overcame the obstacles to their dictatorship, conversion of a staged written explanation of the events into condensed bullet points, colour-coding of actions into legal and illegal, a Night of Long Knives fact file and an exam interpretation question on this topic including a possible structure.

This Edexcel 9-1 GCSE unit covers around 3 lessons depending upon your class and their overall ability/work rate. Aims and Objectives: To understand the political developments in 1932. The roles of Hindenburg, Brüning, von Papen and von Schleicher. The part played by Hindenburg and von Papen in Hitler becoming Chancellor in 1933. The Power Point leads students through all activities with accompanying resources. Activities include a starter/paired discussion testing memory on state of Germany in 1932, a break down of each stage of Hitler’s rise which asks students to create memory jogger images at each point, creation of a summary timeline of key events, colour-coding actions of individuals involved and summarising their actions before ranking them according to level of blame, a usefulness exam source question with support and advice (comprehending written sources and reading in context, strategies for evaluating sources) and a final end of unit quiz.

This Edexcel 9-1 GCSE unit covers around 3 lessons depending upon your class and their overall ability/work rate. Aims and Objectives: To understand the growth of unemployment- its cause and impact. The failure of successive Weimar governments to deal with unemployment from 1929 to January 1933. The growth of support for the Communist Party. To understand the reasons for the growth in support for the Nazi Party, including the appeal of Hitler and the Nazis, the effects of propaganda and the work of the SA. The Power Point leads students through all activities with accompanying resources. Activities include starter video analysis on why the Wall Street Crash helped the Nazis, source analysis on the effects of the depression, a cut and stick activity categorising the effects, comprehension questions on the failing of the government and the rise of extreme parties, photo source analysis on Hitler’s appeal, note-taking on this topic with provided grid, card sort activity on reasons Nazis appealed to different sections of society and a full interpretation exam question with advice, examples and writing frame.

This Edexcel 9-1 GCSE unit covers around 3 lessons depending upon your class and their overall ability/work rate. Aims and Objectives: To understand the reasons for, events and consequences of the Munich Putsch. To understand the reasons for limited support for the Nazi Party, 1924-28. Party reorganisation and Mein Kampf. The Bamberg Conference of 1926. The Power Point leads students through all activities with accompanying worksheets and resources. Activities include a video starter giving an overview of the causes, events and consequences of the Munich Putsch, a card sort/analysis activity on the causes of the putsch, a storyboard task on the events whereby students have to retell the story without reference to their notes, a colour-coding activity on the successes/failures of the putsch, a 12 mark explanation question with advice, worked example and writing frame, a ranking of Hitler’s views from Mein Kampf from moderate to extreme, analysis of written passage to understand how Hitler utilised the lean years to strengthen the party internally and a summary exercise on the reasons for their electoral disappointment at this time.

IMPORTANT: Some of the activities refer to the textbook "Edexcel GCSE (9-1) History: Weimar and Nazi Germany, 1918-1939 (editor Leonard A. and published by Pearson) ISBN 9781292127347 and will not be usable without a copy of this text. This Edexcel 9-1 GCSE unit covers around 1-2 lessons depending upon your class and their overall ability/work rate. Aims and Objectives: To understand Hitler’s early career: joining the German Workers’ Party and setting up the Nazi Party, 1919-20. The Power Point leads students through all activities with an accompanying task booklet. Following a starter which answers 5W questions about the origins of the party using a short passage, students work in pairs to discuss the steps that would need to be taken to set up a new party. The booklet tasks then work through each stage, charting the early development of the party. Activities include colour-coding of a selection of the 25 Points into nationalist and socialist, making inferences from sources to understand why membership grew, note-taking/table on the impact of the changes Hitler made, an analysis of what key members bought to the party and a series of comprehension questions on the early SA.

This Edexcel 9-1 GCSE unit covers around 3 lessons depending upon your class and their overall ability/work rate. Aims and Objectives: To understand changes in the standard of living, including wages, housing, unemployment insurance. To understand changes in the position of women in work, politics and leisure. To understand cultural changes: developments in architecture, art and the cinema. The Power Point leads students through all activities with accompanying resources. Activities include an inference starter on living conditions, summarising/condensing information on changes in living standards, source comparison of women in early 1900s and 1920s, categorising evidence to show how society did and did not change for women, an extension diary entry for a young German woman (possible homework), defining key artistic terms and identifying examples of these artistic trends in a range of sources including art, architecture and film, analysing areas of art that might have come under criticism from the left and right-wing, a four mark interpretation source question and a final Weimar Republic revision quiz.

This Edexcel 9-1 GCSE unit covers 2 lessons depending upon your class and their overall ability/work rate. Aims and Objectives: To understand… the reasons for economic recovery, including the work of Stresemann, the Rentenmark, the Dawes and Young Plans and American loans and investment. the impact on domestic policies of Stresemann’s achievements abroad: the Locarno Pact, joining the League of Nations and the Kellogg-Briand Pact. The Power Point leads students through all activities with accompanying resources. Activities include a whole class Stresemann human graph starter where students rate his level of success versus failure in light of new information before reaching an overall verdict (this can be done on a piece of paper with a line labelled from -5 to +5 for a quieter lesson), a summary table on Stresemann’s achievements, extension work considering perspective and how some achievements could also be regarded as failings, a source usefulness exam question with advice and support.