What was the purpose of Domesday Book? This lesson looks at an extract from the Great Survey, notes contemporary views on the task undertaken by the first Norman king, and asks what the true purpose of the survey was. The presentation ends with a question based on the source material accompanied by an answer that can be modeled as part of a group/ class writing activity.

An introduction to historical investigation skills. The mytery of ‘Pete Marsh’ a body found in a bog near Lindow, is well known. This standalone lesson explores the discovery of the body and some of the evidence pertaining to its age and possible causes of death. The lesson allows learners to question evidence, develop arguments, is open to additional research, and provides writing aids for structured writing tasks based on the evidence and theories.

An easy to follow flow chart that explores some of the key questions that can be asked of a historical source. It helps to address matters relating to reliability, potential biased within sources, inaccuracies, and reminds students to question sources rather than simply accepting them at face value.

The Great War saw Black and Asian soldiers and sailors from around the globe heavily involved in conflict. For the first time global interconnections saw men of all backgrounds and cultures participating in a major war. This presentation looks at the global aspects of Black and Asian participation in the Great War. It includes examples from Africa, Australia, Canada, Great Britain, France, Germany, the West Indies and the United States. The presentation includes: 23 slides covering the role of Black and Asian men in the Army and Navy Images and facts relating to the role of men from around the world Examples of firsts by Black servicemen The presentation includes enough facts for a non specialist to use it as a short assembly. It is editable so can be added to to make it region specific. There is also a zi file with over 50 images of Black and Asian servicemen from the First World War. Other areas: Equality. For many of these volunteer and conscript soldiers the hope of a better world was a motivation. To what extent was this realised? We use the example of the British West Indian Regiment within the presentation. Similar questions can be raised about the men of the Indian Army, from African colonies or from the Harlem Fire Raisers or Canadian Black Regiment.

**Black History Month and the centenary of the end of the First World War are both significant events on the calendar of HIstory Departments this term. ** -suitable for assemblies useful for Black History Month Relates to the centenary of the end of the First World War Scope for classroom activities based on the contents Includes images that can be used for display This presentation and collection of images relating to Black and Asian service in the First World War provides an excellent tool for covering the role played by Black and Asian servicemen in the Great War. It is multinational in approach, highlighting the fact that the war was a global one. It challenges the perception of the conflict being a white mans war, fought in Europe, from the opening slides. It uses facts such as the first shot fired by the British Empire being in Australia, and the first by the British Army itself by a Black Soldier of the Gold Coast Regiment to illustrate how the role of Black ad Asian services was interlinked with that of British, French or German ‘regular’ armies. The presentation contains 23 slides. Each includes an image and is accompanied by facts about this aspect of Black and Asian service in the war. The role of the Army and Navy are included in the presentation. It is suitable for an assembly on the topic as the information on the slides speaks for itself. A Non specialist can ask pupils to reflect on some issues, or consider the global geography involved in the examples provided. Within a history classroom the examples can be explored in more depth. Where, When and Why were men from around the world, from so many cultures, involved in a conflict such as the First World War? To help with this there is a zip file containing 52 images relating to Black and Asian service in the Great War.

If you are teaching the Ancient Greeks you will probably see reference to the God Asclepius. Asclepius was one of the many Greek gods. He specialised in healing. It is likely that Asclepius was a real person who’s teaching spread throughout the City States. His followers built many temples such as the one in the cover image and supporting video. The Cult of Asclepius was active for over 700 years. Temples were built well into the Roman era. This worksheet comprises an information sheet about Asclepius and an activity sheet. It highlights some of the key points about healing done at temples dedicated to Asclepius. The activities incorporate an element of numeracy as scaling is looked at by asking pupils to comprehend how long the cult lasted for through the means of working out how long the cult lasted for. It then asks them to consider what was happening in England 700 years ago and how much has changed. This can be used alongside a timeline to show the length of time the cult lasted and to open discussion about it’s significance. A source based discussion can be undertaken based on the images used in the worksheet. Asclepius and his daughter Hygeia were shown on Roman coins in the 3rd century CE. The meaning and significance of this can be explored. Comparison with the people appearing on modern money (notes) will help to illustrate the importance. Note: There are several spellings of Asclepius in common usage.

This British Empire booklet covers the key points in the GCSE specifications that offer it as an option. The period covered in c1650 to 1858. The British Empire developed as the United Kingdom was being formed. The reference materials in the booklet explore the Uniting of the Kingdoms and the influence that those events had upon colonialism. Though the content is much the same as at Key Stage 3, the depth is significantly greater. In this resource we look at the development of the Transatlantic Slave Trade, from the forming of the Royal Africa Company through to the abolition of Slavery for the merchants of the East India Company in 1848 (Yes, after everywhere else in the Empire). The commercial aspects of Empire are assessed through looking at the impact of trade on major ports and the increase in consumerism. So too is the way that this influenced society. The emergence of Coffee Shops and the radical ideas formed there, along with a look at the racial theories that were developed in the 19th century. At 19000 words long this resource provides plenty of facts for students to refer to. It’s a great tool for them to have access to as it is written with them in mind. It isn’t too long, it isn’t too academic, it is pitched at their level (accessible for those on the boundary of passing and above). Resources to go alongside the booklet are being produced. We regularly send out information related to the British Empire on our facebook page. facebook.com/schoolshistory The booklet is also available for download onto a kindle via amazon and at our website schoolshistory.org.uk

Thomas Hobbes’ Social Contract is one of the most important ideas put forward by a British Political theorist. Hobbes wrote his seminal work, Leviathan, in the midst of the turmoil of the civil wars that tore through England, Ireland and Scotland. Political concepts are difficult for many students to comprehend at A Level. Especially so when the context in which they were developed was so much different to modern society. In these activities the context is explored to provide students with a grasp of what was going on around Hobbes as he developed his thinking. They consider how these events may have influenced his ideas before looking at specific issues. These are the nature of man, the rights to which they are entitled and the conflicts that this leads to. The Social Contract that is developed as a result of this theorising is then explored through a variety of activities. Accompanying the activity pack is a file containing a range of sources and quotes about the work of Hobbes. This provides a bank of reference materials.

This pack of 20 posters is an ideal back to school resource. Providing 20 inspirational posters about history they can liven up your displays while acting as prompts for discussion. The quotes are selected to inspire and promote interest in the study of history. They provoke thought, some relate to the meaning of history, others the importance, some the nature of history. The resource comes as a pdf document that provides the posters in printable form. There is also a powerpoint version of the resource. This would make them easy to use as stimulus material via a projector. Combined with our other pack of historical quotes posters, there is more than enough for one per week, allowing a focus on a different quote each week. The two packs are also available as a bundled back to school offer to give you a head start on display.

20 AP World History Posters for use as display. These posters promote interest in historical thinking and raise awareness of the importance of the past. The quotes come from notable people from a variety of backgrounds. From Presidents and Prime Ministers to authors and scientists. These posters can be used to prompt discussion about specific issues, are suitable for use in promotional displays and for more able learners can be used to challenge their perceptions of what history is and why it should be studied. Combined with our other materials they can be used as part of a year binder or planner.

20 posters based on famous historical quotations. They are ideal for display or for use as a discussion point. Posters such as these can reinforce the significance of HIstory, making them useful for parents evenings and displays at school events. Many quotes about History are worthy of discussion. They often relate to the uses and misuses of the past, making them ideal prompts for discussion in tutor sessions and citizenship sessions. See my other resources for additional quotation posters and resources. They can be changed weekly to provide variety or to match up with specific areas that are being taught.

20 Trivia Questions centred around history. This quiz is designed to provide a range of individual questions that can inspire curiosity, perk interest or provide a small bit of breadth to a cramped curriculum. They are intended as something that can be used on the board as pupils enter, or in tutorial/registration periods as a subject of discussion. The questions are in quiz format quite simply as they might have uses when combined. Perhaps as a quiz at a PTA fundraiser or in a staff social event. The questions are not designed to fit in with any specific curriculum objective. They are all as accurate as I can make them so in that respect they can help to paint a picture of what the world was like in specific places at specific times. Some questions, not all, could be set as short research tasks to build a broader knowledge. Trivia questions at added to our Facebook Page at 8am each morning - facebook.com/schoolshistory

War of the Roses - Battles and Personalities. An infographic that outlines the course of the War of the Roses. It combines the dates of major engagements with a map to indicate the location and victor of each battle. Significant individuals are noted on the infographic to show how the kingship changed and what the role of people such as Neville, Earl of Warwick (The Kingmaker) was. We have other War of the Roses Infographics available here and via our Facebook page. You can find discussions with other teachers and War of the Roses enthusiasts there which can help to develop subject knowledge.

The War of the Roses is a complex set of events. This infographic breaks down the course of the conflict into twelve core twists in the history of England at that time. Instead of simply listing battles and dates, it looks at clusters of events and identifies in accessible terms the way that it impacted on the course of the War of the Roses. The timeline nature of the graphic allows learners to develop their understanding of the chronology. It can be used simply for display purposes or as a resource to be annotated with additional information. Dates, individuals, battles or links between different elements of the war can be drawn out in class discussion and added to the graphic. It is available as a jpeg and pdf to enable ease of printing and scalability for your own presentations. Please see our other graphics on the War of the Roses to get a fuller picture of the events of this turbulent period. Additional information and subject related discussion of these areas can be found on our facebook page. Reference materials for teachers and learners on the Wars of the Roses are available here.

The Peasants Revolt. A series of resources designed to teach the causes of the Great Revolt of 1381 and re-enforce learners comprehension of the way that they link together. Lesson pack comprises a variety of activities: chronology tasks, link building tasks, significance assessment tasks. A good way to assess the longer term consequences of the Black Death and the changing nature of society in Medieval England.

The Renaissance in Western Europe led to many changes in society and medicine. These worksheets provide a solid narrative to the main changes that took place. Comprehension of the period and changes is tested. Sources are included in some of the worksheets along with tasks to develop your classes ability to interpret historic evidence.

Medicine in History is a fun topic that brings Ancient and Medieval Civilizations to life. Class research the way that Medicine was practiced in the Ancient World before playing the game. The rules that are included are easy to adapt. Lots of classes like to add questions, alter the rules to make it their own etc. Medicine and it’s history are huge topics so extending the activity is easy to achieve through out of class work. This game has been used for 18 years now and I have found it to really engage learners.

This resource provides resources to create a highly engaging and active lesson on the Causes of the Peasants Revolt. It provides opportunities to build on prior knowledge and skills and is easily differentiated by teachers. The core content of the pack revolves around statements about the causes of the Peasants Revolt. These are used for comprehension and classification tasks before looking at links and trends. This resource is discounted as part of a collaborative SpringSavings promotion by authors. See here for other discounted resources. Attainers of all abilities can find suitable challenge whilst having historical skills developed. For example, the Diamond 9 can be adapted to many levels and the most able learner will be able to use the graphing exercise to develop an understanding of the synthesis between causal factors. The embedded video is by Bafta winning with whom we have worked on resources.