This Key Stage 3 unit explores the causes of WW1 and then goes on to analyse the reasons why the German Schlieffen Plan failed, leading to trench warfare. It will take around two lessons to complete. The Power Point leads students through all of the activities. There are a number of very nice short video clips on the causes of WW1, including a great Horrible Histories clip (when available) but I particularly like the Blackadder clip attached. Be warned- the final punchline is “bollo**s” and I often censored this with a timely cough much to the annoyance of the class. The lessons start by contextualising Europe in 1914 with some map work and identification of alliance systems. We then identify and analyse the causes of WW1 using the passage provided. The following lesson, the students start by problem-solving Germany’s dilemma and proposing their own war plans- I’ve had some very interesting and intelligent responses to this, along with some quite frankly bizzare/amusing. After studying the Schlieffen Plan, students translate the actual events into a series of annotated maps before analysing the reasons for the plan’s failure and writing this up in an extended paragraph.

This KS3 lesson should take around two hours to complete. The Power Point leads students through all activities with accompanying resources included (although for the research stage the Power Point refers to school textbooks as one source of information and I’m obviously unable to include copies of pages I’d use. Wikipedia has a very detailed page on this topic and the link is included). Aims and Objectives: To know basic facts about a slave’s life and work. To extend this knowledge and understanding through group research and presentation. To be able to empathise with the psychological impact these conditions must have had upon the people effected, considering coping mechanisms. Activities include an inference starter using “The Sabbath among slaves” drawing which appears at first-glance to to be far less sinister than it actually is. Students then make further inferences with support from a range of images. They begin their research into mental/physical health, work and punishments using a ten minute video before breaking into groups of four to specialise in one area. The class collectively produce an assessment criteria for their poster presentations before researching and creating their posters. The following lesson, their poster presentations are peer assessed using their criteria and I use this as a competition. Finally, students add an entry to their ongoing slave diary about living and working conditions.

This KS3 lesson should take at least two hours to complete. The Power Point leads the students through all activities with accompanying resources. Aims and Objectives: To know the main events leading up to Becket’s murder. To have ideas about who was to blame and why? LESSON 1: Activities include a recap on the feudal system and a discussion on how the role of the Church could cause problems for the king. A whole class reading of the story with initial thoughts on blame. An analysis of Edward Grim’s first-hand account and source bias. A storyboard homework to consolidate the key events. LESSON 2: A starter which recaps the main events through matching pictures to sentences. A card sort where students group information into evidence that either Henry, Becket or the knights were to blame. A final write up with writing frame provided where students explain how each person/group might be to blame before reaching a conclusion.

IMPORTANT: Many of these activities refer to the textbook “Edexcel GCSE (9-1) History, The American West, c1835-c1895” (editor Leonard A. and published by Pearson) ISBN 9781292127309 and will not be usable without a copy of this text. This Edexcel 9-1 GCSE unit covers around 3 lessons depending upon your class and their overall ability/work rate. Aims and Objectives: Specification area: The early settlement of the West, c.1835-1862 To understand the Plains Indian’s social and tribal structures, ways of life and means of survival on the Plains. To understand the Plains Indian’s beliefs about land and nature and attitudes towards war and property. The Power Point leads students through all activities with accompanying resources. It also provides feedback/answers at intervals and advice on exam approach. Activities include independent note-taking, card sorting, group discussion, timelines and a narrative account question “Write a narrative account analysing the ways in which the US government policy towards the Plains Indians developed in the period 1835-51.”

Before looking at the reigns of each Tudor monarch in KS3, I start with this lesson underlining the differences between Catholicism and Protestantism. It really helps with the understanding of each ruler’s actions later in the Tudor course. Aims and Objectives: To know how a Catholic and Protestant church look different. To know the main differences in beliefs between the two types of Christianity. To understand why Catholics and Protestants practised their faith differently and why they both felt so strongly about this. After a short parody video on the Reformation, we start by comparing and analysing the diagrams of a Catholic and Protestant church. Students then complete the colour-code activity setting out the different beliefs. There’s an SEN version of the colour-coding which I replace the longer version with when teaching nurture groups. Students then demonstrate their understanding by creating a poster supporting one of the denominations. This is generally set as homework and as a competition. The plenary asks students to identify whether a range of beliefs are Catholic or Protestant using the “C/P” cards to ensure they all have to get involved.

Students use a collection of primary sources to investigate conditions for children working in cotton mills during the Industrial Revolution. These demonstrate both positive and negative aspects. They are encouraged to consider the reliability of each source. They then write up their findings in a balanced government report, making critical use of the source material to reach an overall judgement on whether child labour should be banned. A writing frame is also included for weaker students.

IMPORTANT: Some of these activities refer to the textbook “Edexcel GCSE (9-1) History, The American West, c1835-c1895” (editor Leonard A. and published by Pearson) ISBN 9781292127309 and will not be usable without a copy of this text. This Edexcel 9-1 GCSE unit covers around 3-4 lessons depending upon your class and their overall ability/work rate. Aims and Objectives: Specification area: Ranching and the cattle industry, 1862-76 To understand the cattle industry and factors in its growth, including the roles of Iliff, McCoy and Goodnight, the significance of Abilene and the increasing use of the railroad network. To understand the impact of changes in ranching on the work of the cowboy. To understand the rivalry between ranchers and homesteaders. The Power Point leads students through all activities with accompanying resources. It also provides feedback and answers at intervals. Activities include key words, timeline analysis/colour-coding, independent note taking, a narrativ account 8 mark exam question, video Q&A, letter from a cowboy describing his first spring round-up, an explain 2 consequences (of ranching on the Plains) exam question.

IMPORTANT: Many of these activities refer to the textbook “Edexcel GCSE (9-1) History, The American West, c1835-c1895” (editor Leonard A. and published by Pearson) ISBN 9781292127309 and will not be usable without a copy of this text. This Edexcel 9-1 GCSE unit covers around 4 lessons depending upon your class and their overall ability/work rate. Aims and Objectives: Specification area: Conflict and tension in the American West, 1876-1895 To understand the extent of solutions to problems of law and order: sheriffs and marshals. The significance of Billy the Kid, OK Corral (1881), Wyatt Earp. To understand the range wars, including the Johnson County War of 1892. To understand the conflict with the Plains Indians: the Battle of the Little Big Horn, 1876 and its impact; the Wounded Knee Massacre, 1890. The Power Point leads students through all activities with accompanying resources. It also provides feedback/answers at intervals. Activities include group discussion on the causes of lawlessness analysis of Billy the Kid and Wyatt Earp using summary written material, card sort on the Johnson County War, video Q&A on the Battle of Little Bighorn, timeline analysis of the battle, Wounded Knee Massacre storyboard and Facebook posts exercise on reaction.

IMPORTANT: Some of these activities refer to the textbook “Edexcel GCSE (9-1) History, Medicine through time, c1250-present” (editor Leonard A. and published by Pearson) ISBN 9781292127378 and will not be usable without a copy of this text. 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 extent of change in care and treatment: the impact of anaesthetics and antiseptics on surgery. The Power Point leads students through all activities with accompanying worksheets. It also provides feedback/answers where useful along with advice on exam approach. Activities include a mystery image starter, key terms, thought-shower, annotated timeline (cut and stick or event ordering), analysis of achievements comparing Simpson and Lister, ranking of arguments against change and a final 12 mark explanation essay question followed by peer assessment.

IMPORTANT: Some of these activities refer to the textbook “Edexcel GCSE (9-1) History, Medicine through time, c1250-present” (editor Leonard A. and published by Pearson) ISBN 9781292127378 and will not be usable without a copy of this text. This Edexcel 9-1 GCSE unit nominally covers 2 lesson but in practice will take at least 3-4 depending upon your class and their overall ability/work rate. Aims and Objectives: To learn about the work of the RAMC and FANY. The system of transport, stages of treatment and underground hospital at Arras. The Power Point leads students through all activities with accompanying worksheets/resources. It also provides worked examples and exam advice. Activities include an ordering of the four stages of evacuation starter, a listening exercise with student diagram, independent note-taking, an 8 mark source evaluation exam question, a plenary of medical scenarios whereby students decide how far to pass the student along the chain of evacuation and when to award the sought after “Blighty” award, a cloze exercise with source extension on the work of FANY, and a four mark follow up question.

This KS3 lesson is part of our work on The Stuarts and comes at the start of the course. We therefore introduce King James I with some source work. However, if the lesson is to be completed in the lead up to Bonfire Night, then this first part can simply be removed, leading you straight into the Gunpowder Plot itself. It will take between 1-2 lessons depending upon how many tasks are completed. Aims and Objectives: To use sources to think about what type of king James I was (CAN BE LEFT OUT). To know the key events of the Gunpowder Plot. To understand why some people think the plotters were set up. The lesson starts with the option of some source analysis to investigate what type of person King James I was. There is a more detailed version of this source sheet and a simpler SEN version. We then introduce the Gunpowder Plot with the Horrible Histories clip. The students then use this initial overview to cut out the jumbled events and order them. These are stuck onto the storyboard which is then illustrated (I’ve set this as a homework and competition). The following lesson we look into the conspiracy theory using a range of sources supporting both sides. Students produce a balanced written answer on whether they agree that the plotters were set up before reaching their final verdict.

IMPORTANT: Some of these worksheets refer to the textbook “Edexcel GCSE (9-1) History, Medicine through time, c1250-present” (editor Leonard A. and published by Pearson) ISBN 9781292127378 and will not be usable without a copy of this text. This Edexcel 9-1 GCSE unit covers around one lesson depending upon your class and their overall ability/work rate. Aims and Objectives: To learn about Fleming, Florey and Chain’s development of penicillin. The Power Point leads students through all activities with an accompanying worksheet. It also provides answers/feedback at intervals. Activities include an introductory overview video clip with questions, analysis and colour-coding of reasons for development of Penicillin, a comparison of Fleming v. Florey and Chain and judgement upon their relative achievements and a thought-shower on continuing developments.

This KS3 lesson asks students to evaluate the reasons for Elizabeth I’s successful reign. It will take two lessons to complete. The Power Point leads students through all activities with accompanying resources. Aims and Objectives: To know what type of person Elizabeth was- her personality and skills. To understand what problems she faced and how she tackled them. To assess how well she dealt with these problems. After a quick starter using the Armada portrait, students use a collection of sources to learn about Elizabeth’s personality. They then analyse why these aspects made her a successful monarch. We then focus on three key problems and her handling of each of them; Mary Queen of Scots, the Spanish and religion. There are three information sheets on each of these topics. Students complete a summary table explaining how she responded and how successful this was. An SEN cloze version is included (which I’ve also used if short of time- I’ve also divided the class into three and given each group one topic for the same reason). Students finally show their understanding of Elizabeth’s reign through writing a eulogy. This can be set as a homework task.

IMPORTANT: Some of these worksheets refer to the textbook"Edexcel GCSE (9-1) History, Medicine through time, c1250-present" (editor Leonard A. and published by Pearson) ISBN 9781292127378 and will not be usable without a copy of this text. This Edexcel 9-1 GCSE unit covers around 3-4 lessons depending upon your class and their overall ability/work rate. Aims and Objectives: To understand the approaches to prevention and treatment and their connection with ideas about diseases and illness: religious actions, bloodletting and purging, purifying the air, and the use of remedies. The Power Point leads students through all activities with accompanying worksheets. These include card sorts, analysis/categorisation of written notes, paired/whole class discussion, knowledge questions and note-taking. It also provides feedback/answers at intervals. It leads up to a 16 mark judgement question with explanation and support. A writing frame is also included if required.

IMPORTANT: The final revision task refers to the textbook “Edexcel GCSE (9-1) History, Medicine through time, c1250-present” (editor Leonard A. and published by Pearson) ISBN 9781292127378 and will not be usable without a copy of this text. The rest of the lesson works independently. 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 how the Great Plague in London, 1665, was dealt with: approaches to treatment and attempt to prevent its spread. The Power Point leads students through all activities with accompanying worksheets. These include information prioritisation, categorising/analysing information, creating an illustrated table, a 4 mark exam answer and some end of unit revision using the textbook.

IMPORTANT: Some of these worksheets refer to the textbook "Edexcel GCSE (9-1) History, Medicine through time, c1250-present (editor Leonard A. and published by Pearson) ISBN 9781292127378 and will not be usable without a copy of this text. 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 continuity and change in explanations of the cause of disease and illness. The influence in Britain of Pasteur’s Germ Theory and Koch’s work on microbes. The Power Point leads students through all activities with accompanying worksheets. These include a true and false quiz, table comparison of old and new ideas, information categorisation and ordering and a 16 mark exam question with guidance. The experiment could be left out but my classes loved it and it really works if done correctly. You will need to keep the one bread sample totally sterile, so handle minimally with sanitised hands and bag straight up. The contamination of the other piece of bread is great fun- we rubbed it on door handles, the floor and one student had it under his armpits! Don’t pierce the sandwich bags but pin them in a light/warm place like your department staff room. Everybody will love to watch the mould develop whilst eating their lunch. It also provides a valuable lesson on why hands should be washed before eating.

This Edexcel 9-1 GCSE unit covers between 1-2 lessons depending upon your class and their overall ability/work rate. Aims and Objectives: To understand the extent of change in care and treatment: improvements in hospital care and the influence of Nightingale. The Power Point leads students through all activities with accompanying worksheets. These include event ordering of Nightingale’s life, summarising her impact and analysing continuity and change in hospital care. Having carried out numerous assessments already in this scheme of work, the lesson ends with a straight-forward Florence Nightingale obituary which could be set as a homework task.

IMPORTANT: Some of these worksheets refer to the textbook “Edexcel GCSE (9-1) History, Medicine through time, c1250-present” (editor Leonard A. and published by Pearson) ISBN 9781292127378 and will not be usable without a copy of this text. This Edexcel 9-1 Renaissance medicine case study covers at least one lesson and perhaps longer depending upon the ability and work-rate of your class. Aims and Objectives: To understand William Harvey and the discovery of the circulation of the blood. The Power Point leads students through all activities with accompanying worksheets and activities. Students create notes which develop their understanding of Harvey’s discoveries and also analyse the impact of these upon medicine. The lesson ends with a short written verdict on the importance of Harvey.

IMPORTANT: Some of these activities refer to the textbook “Edexcel GCSE (9-1) History, The American West, c1835-c1895” (editor Leonard A. and published by Pearson) ISBN 9781292127309 and will not be usable without a copy of this text. This Edexcel 9-1 GCSE unit covers around 3-4 lessons depending upon your class and their overall ability/work rate. Aims and Objectives: Specification area: Migration and early settlement: To understand the factors encouraging migration, including economic conditions, the Oregon Trail from 1836, the concept of Manifest Destiny, and the Gold Rush of 1849. To understand the process and problems of migration, including the experiences of the Donner Party and the Mormon migration, 1846-7. To understand the development and problems of white settlement farming. The Power Point leads students through all activities with accompanying resources. It also provides feedback at intervals. Activities include the colour-coding of pull and push factors causing migration and prioritisation of factors, a comparison/analysis of the failure of the Donner Party and success of the Mormon migration, an explanation of consequences exam question “Explain two consequences of the setting up of the Oregon Trail (1836)” and a letter writing task explaining the difficulties of migration (which could be set as a home work).

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.