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I am a History Teacher with a love for producing high quality and easily accessible history lessons, which I have accumulated and adapted for over 20 years of my teaching career. I appreciate just how time consuming teaching now is and the difficulty of constantly producing resources for an ever changing curriculum.

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I am a History Teacher with a love for producing high quality and easily accessible history lessons, which I have accumulated and adapted for over 20 years of my teaching career. I appreciate just how time consuming teaching now is and the difficulty of constantly producing resources for an ever changing curriculum.
Prisoners of war
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Prisoners of war

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World War II The aim of the lesson is to question how we should treat prisoners of war in Britain during World War 2. Students might be influenced initially in their thoughts by their prior knowledge of Nazi and Japanese treatment of captured prisoners. There is a discussion task with a number of scenarios which will allow the story to unravel of Italian and German prisoner experiences in Britain. Pathé news also has some excellent links to video footage of capture prisoners and the commentators emphasis on their good treatment and being given a square meal each day. A case study of Eden Camp in Yorkshire, site of a former prisoner of war camp, will enable students to analyse what happened there and if treatment was good, fair or bad. It is enquiry based with a key question using a lightbulb posed at the start of the lesson and revisited throughout 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.
Invasion of the Ruhr | A Level
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Invasion of the Ruhr | A Level

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AQA GCE A Level Democracy and Nazism: Germany 1918-45 The aim of this lesson is to assess the political and economic impact of the Ruhr invasion upon Germany. Students begin by recapping Germany’s inability to pay reparations and its request to suspend payments to stabilise their currency. They also learn in more depth how they were required to pay and how a bad situation was made worse by the Allies. Students also have to answer a series of questions and predict how Germany reacted to the occupation by French and Belgian troops. A chronological task completes the lesson together with some source exam question practice. Some help is given if required together with a generic markscheme. There is a 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.
The Hitler Cabinet | A Level
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The Hitler Cabinet | A Level

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AQA GCE A Level Democracy and Nazism: Germany 1918-45 The aim of this lesson is to assess the reasons why Hindenburg felt confident enough to appoint Hitler as his Chancellor. Students are given the context, the details of Hitler first cabinet and the key people within it. They are questioned as to the pitfalls Hitler might face and the obstacles thrown up by the constitution. A gap filling exercise and some source analysis will help to consolidate the learning from the lesson. The 3-2-1 plenary will ascertain the learning from the lesson An enquiry question posed at the beginning of the lesson will be revisited throughout to track the progress of learning during the lesson and the subsequent unit of work. The lesson is available in PowerPoint format and can be customised to suit specific needs. It is differentiated and includes suggested teaching strategies.
Alexander Fleming and penicillin
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Alexander Fleming and penicillin

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Britain: Health and the People, c1000 to present The aim of the lesson is for students to understand why penicillin was seen as a wonder drug and how it was discovered and then developed during World War 2 Students first of all learn about the role played by Alexander Fleming in the story of penicillin from his chance discovery and the acclaim that eventually followed. The lesson therefore leads the students inadvertently to celebrate his attributes and significance. The second part of the lesson devotes itself to the parts played by Howard Florey and Ernst Chain in the development of penicillin during World War 2. Questions and sources are used to analyse why they were unhappy with Fleming and how they had tremendous problems initially producing enough to treat patients effectively. Students have to now question their original assumptions and finally evaluate the most significant of the three in the story of penicillin. There is also some source analysis for exam question practice. The lesson is accompanied by video footage and other documentary evidence as it establishes the part played by factors such as individual genius, science and technology as well as chance. 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 comes in Powerpoint format if there is a wish to adapt and change. I have also included suggested teaching strategies to deliver the lesson and there are differentiated materials included.
Suffragettes in World War 1
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Suffragettes in World War 1

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The Suffragettes The aim of this lesson is to assess the impact of World War 1 on the Suffragette movement. The lesson analyses the changing perceptions as women took on the jobs the men left behind to fight on the Western Front in France. Students prioritise the most important roles women took as well as discovering through source analysis what they did. There are some excellent case studies of four women and what they did during the war, which provide a great insight into many of the roles women undertook and the resistance and prejudice they faced. The final part of the lesson looks at the main reasons why women gained the vote and judge if the impact of the war was the main and fundamental reason for this. 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, differentiated materials and comes in Powerpoint format if there is a wish to adapt and change.
Suffragettes introduction
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Suffragettes introduction

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The Suffragettes The aim of this lesson is to analyse previous perceptions of women and their role at home and in the family (the Angel on the House). Students scrutinise how women were treated in Victorian Britain with discrimination from society as well as the law and give their own analysis and judgements using sources from the time. They can do this through discussion or through an extended writing task, with help given if required. There are examples of how women were treated and a case study of a wife in an abusive marriage. The lesson includes written sources and video evidence. The plenary requires the students to show their new knowledge and comprehension of life for women at the time. 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, differentiated materials and comes in Powerpoint format if there is a wish to adapt and change.
Richard the Lionheart
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Richard the Lionheart

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The aim of this lesson is for students to question and evaluate different interpretations in history. Students have to analyse various explanations and viewpoints of Richard the Lionheart from his statue outside the Houses of Parliament, to modern day films and the views of historians. As sentiment might overrule reality, they are ‘led’ to conclude he is a King of outstanding repute. They are then given details of the context of his reign and are shocked to discover his real temperament, brutal nature and even the fact that he didn’t speak English! Students finally re-evaluate their original judgements and justify which of the interpretation is now the more realistic one. They will continue to plot the power struggle between the king, the church, the barons and the people in a sequence of lessons. This lesson includes: Fun, engaging and challenging tasks Links to video footage Printable worksheets Differentiated tasks Suggested teaching strategies Homework ideas PowerPoint format, which can be changed to suit
Treaty of Versailles
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Treaty of Versailles

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World War I The aim of this lesson is to understand how Germany was punished after World War 1 and how harsh its terms were to many Germans. The first part of the lesson looks at how the map of Europe changed. Students then have to think why the Big Three had different ideas on how to treat Germany. Through various images and video footage students can see what they decided and have to justify why they came to these decisions. The terms of the Treaty are discussed and then shown how to be remembered using a chatterbox (a template is included). The final part analyses and evaluates a number of sources on the Treaty and their meanings. A recap plenary at the end of the lesson uses a spinning wheel which can be used in a competitive challenge. This lesson is enquiry based with a key question using a lightbulb posed at the start of the lesson and revisited throughout the lesson and this unit of study 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.
King John
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King John

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This lesson aims to find out if the negative reputation of King John being nasty is a fair one. To do this, students begin by evaluating a number of historical interpretations from statues, Disney cartoons, portraits, a Horrible Histories interpretation as well using a number of sources of King John. These are then analysed and quested using a grid sheet to decide their final judgement if King John really was a ‘meanie’. The plenary uses a summarising pyramid to test and challenge their knowledge and understanding. Students will continue to plot the power struggle between the king, the church, the barons and the people in a sequence of lessons. This lesson includes: Fun, engaging and challenging tasks Links to video footage Printable worksheets Differentiated tasks Suggested teaching strategies PowerPoint format, which can be changed to suit
Dissolution of the Monasteries
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Dissolution of the Monasteries

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The Tudors The aim of this lesson is to evaluate the consequences of Henry VIII’s dissolution of the monasteries and who were the winners and losers. The start of the lesson gets the students to imagine walking into a monastery, with accompanying music to set the tone. They are given character cards (for both monks and nuns) and introduce themselves to each other to learn about their various roles. Students then have to analyse information, which is starting to make them scared of the changes that are happening all around them and subsequently decide what will happen to their character as a consequence of the dissolution. The plenary tests them in a six minute challenge of what they have learnt in the lesson and adds a competitive edge at the end. 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.
Emily Davison - Martyr or Fool?
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Emily Davison - Martyr or Fool?

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The Suffragettes The aim of this lesson is to question the motives of Emily Davison. Did she really mean to kill herself or was it a protest that went drastically wrong? Students learn what a martyr is and then sift through the evidence of her handbag to make a judgement. However not is all as it seems as conflicting source and video evidence only serves to add confusion to the debate. The plenary also requires the students to question whether she can be called a martyr or not and whether she helped the suffragette cause. This is a fun, engaging and challenging lesson which requires students to evaluate and make judgements using evidence as well as getting them to justify their opinions. There is also a chance of role play if you feel daring or not as the mystery of her death unfolds. 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.
Henry VIII
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Henry VIII

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The Tudors The aim of this lesson is to understand why Henry VIII is always judged to be larger than life. It focuses on four portraits of Henry VIII from the early years until his death. Students will aim to write a descriptive piece about Henry by using each other to write it. When they finish, they will have a masterful descriptive paragraph which has been co-constructed by a number of them (with help from a word list). This activity is great for differentiation and team work. The lesson also attempts to banish the perception that Henry was always a large person who ate a lot. This is shown through video evidence and a thinking quilt. The plenary gets the students to summarise Henry’s match statistics and what he ‘should’ be remembered for. 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.
Malcolm X
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Malcolm X

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American Civil RIghts The aim of this lesson is to show a different approach to achieving Civil Rights pursued by Malcolm X. The start of the lesson asks why Malcolm Little changed his name and makes a link to the film by Spike Lee. It follows his early life chronologically and some higher order thinking questions are posed. The lesson then looks at his later life and beliefs and analyses some of his views and most famous quotations in a fun and engaging way. Students have to finally decide the most important aspects of his legacy and prioritise them, as well as deciding the fundamental differences of his beliefs and approach compared to Martin Luther King. 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, differentiated materials and comes in Powerpoint format if there is a wish to adapt and change.
Emmett Till
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Emmett Till

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American Civil Rights This lesson starts with the Bob Dylan song ‘The death of Emmett Till’. The question is posed as to why Emmett’s mother had an open top casket at his funeral? Students are given sources to piece together the story before they find out what happened to him (the story is differentiated according to ability). Embedded video footage of his short life from the time reinforces their learning. Students then have a choice of answering some differentiated questions or completing an extended piece of writing. The plenary questions the impact of his death upon the Civil Rights Movement and help is given on how students can justify their reasons. 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, differentiated materials and comes in Powerpoint format if there is a wish to adapt and change.
Spanish Armada
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Spanish Armada

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The Tudors The aim of this lesson is for the students to understand the causes and prioritise the reasons for the failure of the Spanish Armada. As the students are posed with the question, ‘why did the Spanish eat rope?’, they make up an explosive cocktail to understand the main causes of the invasion. As the story unravels as to the failures of the Spanish invasion fleet, students have to analyse and prioritise which were the main reasons for English success, against Spanish superiority in numbers and firepower. The plenary requires students to evaluate the Blob bridge and explain which blob represents the best fit in this story, from an English sailor, the Spanish public right up to Queen Elizabeth and King Philip. The lesson is differentiated and includes video evidence as well as an interactive diagram plotting the route of the Armada. 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.
Arthur 'Bomber' Harris
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Arthur 'Bomber' Harris

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World War II The aim of this lesson is to question if it was really necessary for the Allies to bomb Dresden in World War II. Sir Arthur ‘Bomber’ Harris stands today as a controversial figure and therefore the lesson revolves around his reputation; did he bring an the end of the war with the bombing raids and save thousands of lives or the reverse? The lesson builds up a picture of why the bombing raids on Germany were stepped up, how the Government used propaganda posters to justify these and why Dresden was a ‘legitimate’ target. Differentiated tasks analyse the consequences of the bombing on Dresden and a mini plenary checks understanding. The ultimate task is for the students to decide if he was a war hero or a criminal, with prompts and help if required. The plenary challenges the students to link the key words to controversial themes developed throughout the lesson. The lesson is enquiry based with a key question using a lightbulb posed at the start of the lesson and revisited throughout 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.
Abraham Lincoln
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Abraham Lincoln

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American Civil RIghts This lesson sets out to ask the question if Abraham Lincoln was the ‘Great Emancipator’ that history claims him to be. By analysing his statue at the Washington memorial and using video evidence as well as a brief summary of the 13th Amendment and the American Civil War, students are given evidence (which is differentiated according to ability) from which they question this belief. Their ideas are then presented on a Venn diagram and presented to their peers. A true or false quiz at the end will attempt to consolidate their learning as well as questioning how emancipated the slaves were after the amendment became law. 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, differentiated materials and comes in Powerpoint format if there is a wish to adapt and change.
Conscientious Objectors
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Conscientious Objectors

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World War I The aim of this lesson is to question whether the Government was right to punish conscientious objectors during World War 1 and how frightening it was for individuals to refuse. This is a controversial subject and was extremely difficult to understand and address at the time. Therefore the lesson explains why many people in World 1 refused to fight, despite government propaganda and pressure from society for them to do so as they became targets of abuse. Luckily now there is a wealth of video and audio evidence in this lesson (linked to the BBC in particular) which deconstructs and challenges the old arguments of cowardice and shame as well as understanding individuals’ rights to uphold their beliefs and consciences. Students are given two case studies to analyse before engaging in a mini debate on the right or wrongs to conscientiously object to war. The plenary challenges them to decide if the given statements from the lesson are true or false. The lesson is enquiry based with a key question using a lightbulb posed at the start of the lesson and revisited throughout 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.
Trench Life
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Trench Life

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World War 1 The aim of this lesson is to question how frightening trench life really was. This lesson begins with a familiar look at trench life. An analysis of sources, audio clips and prose using higher order thinking skills as well independent learning will bring students to the conclusion that trench life was extremely tough for soldiers. A chance to write a letter home, before realising the problems of censorship, will suggest to students that soldiers had to struggle in the mud and squalor surrounding them. However historians such as Dan Snow question how long soldiers spent in the trenches and discovered that in fact 45% of their time was spent behind the lines and in relative safety. Therefore the overriding aim of the lesson of evaluating how frightening trench life was now becomes more apparent. Finally the use of historical hexagons will challenge thinking and challenge students to link ideas together. The lesson is enquiry based with a key question using a lightbulb posed at the start of the lesson and revisited throughout the lesson and this unit of study 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.
World War 1 in the air
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World War 1 in the air

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World War I The aim of this lesson is to assess the reasons why air power became an increasingly important part of warfare in the First World War. As each side became more aware of the potential of reconnaissance, observation and bombing raids, they quickly built and developed their planes. However the sudden need to shoot down these aircraft quickly gave rise to dog fights and flying aces. Therefore the enquiry question of how frightening was the First World War’ is quite apt here. Students have decide how the planes were used using photographic evidence and then categorise information under the following headings: reconnaissance, fighting, bombing cities or attacking trenches. Much of the excellent video footage uses links to the documentaries posted by Dan Snow on the BBC. The first half of the lesson concludes by questioning the early effectiveness of air power. The second part of the lesson analyses the fighting prowess of a flying ace from Kent, Jimmy McCudden. Having scrutinised his life and achievements, students have to judge how frightening his daring exploits were before deciding if he deserves more recognition for his gallantry other than an inscription on a gravestone and on a war memorial. They can also create their create their own war memorial or obituary of his life. This lesson is enquiry based with a key question using a lightbulb posed at the start of the lesson and revisited throughout the lesson and this unit of study 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.