Unique resources created by an experienced Secondary English and History teacher. These are academically rigorous resources that target children between 13 and 18 years of age.
Unique resources created by an experienced Secondary English and History teacher. These are academically rigorous resources that target children between 13 and 18 years of age.
Context: My school runs this program in Alternative Sequence (yr 11 and 12s in together) due to the small size of the school. The lesson begins with some teaching that both grades can do together before the year 12s are assigned some independent work and the year 11s are given some more focused teaching. Then the year 11’s do independent work while the year 12s share their answers and receive feedback.
This lesson includes:
1 x PowerPoint
1 x Source Booklet – containing 8 sources (a mixture of types) for analysis
1 x Handout containing a graphic organiser for analysing sources
1 x Handout explaining CAMPORUM acronym with tips for what to look for when analysing sources
The lesson begins with a discussion where students need to recall the 7 features of evidence we look for when analysing sources. This is followed by a definition of ‘analyse’ and a 9 step process for analysing. The C.A.M.P.O.R.U.M acronym is included which hits both the analysing and evaluating criteria. Students are shown the A standard criteria for analysing and they are unpacked. The year 12 students then begin independently analysing sources in the source booklet and filling in the handout (CAMPORUM tables).
The year 11’s then receive focused teaching about the difference between primary and secondary sources, things to keep in mind when discussing the source origins in a written analysis, how the origins of the source may impact its reliability and tips for evaluating the reliability of different source types. There is some information about historical context and why it is crucial to understand the creator’s motive when engaging with a source.
This is followed by an explanation of what the sources will look like in the exam (i.e. a context statement, an excerpt from a source and an APA reference). Following this, the gradual release method is used to engage with the first few sources in the booklet. (I have done the first one on the slides to show how to complete the table, we do the second one together, they do the third one in pairs and they do the fourth one independently). The sources in the booklet were chosen to deliver content at the same time as teaching the analysis skill.
The types of sources in the booklet: Information about Leopold II – King of Belgium, Information about the Belgian Congo, A photograph capturing the atrocities committed in the Congo Free State, An alternative viewpoint (Edward Morel), An online news article from 2020, a political cartoon depicting Leopold II at the Berlin Conference of 1884, an opinion piece published in 2021 & an extract from a history textbook.
Resources designed for the senior Modern History syllabus (implemented in QLD in 2019). The syllabus objectives would also be useful more broadly for students in other states and countries with an interest in The Scramble for Africa.
A PowerPoint designed to last for two lessons. In lesson 1, students learn about a key event (The Berlin Conference) and get to engage with a couple of sources about this event. There is a series of slides which explain how Africa was divvied up to nations including Britain, France, Germany, Belgium and Italy. This is followed by some information on the effects on the people of Africa. The remainder of this lesson is a researching task where students pick a figure from The British Empire to research and create a PPT / Canva poster / Handmade Poster about which they will present to the class in the next lesson.
In lesson 2, after students have presented their posters, there is information about each of the following figures (including photos/artworks and videos): Queen Victoria, Prince Albert, David Livingstone (missionary and explorer), Henry Moreton Stanley (explorer), Cecil Rhodes & E.D. MOREL (Edmund Dene Morel).
Resources designed for the senior Modern History syllabus (implemented in QLD in 2019). The syllabus objectives would also be useful more broadly for students in other states and countries with an interest in The Scramble for Africa.
A PowerPoint for a skills focused Modern History lesson focusing on Summarising. It begins with a settling activity (writing definitions of key historical concepts into glossary - empathy, cause & effect, historiography). This is followed by an explanation of paraphrasing, summarising and quoting. I have provided an example of each using the transcript of President Roosevelt’s declaration of war post Pearl Harbor. I have explained some things that you see in sources that students may not be familiar with [sic] and ellipses (…). Subsequently I provided sources about Imperialism for students to summarise to practice the skill. There is a worksheet which contains the sources and room for the students to write their summaries. There is also a TEEEL paragraph writing activity for the final source.
Resources designed for the senior Modern History syllabus (implemented in QLD in 2019). The syllabus objectives would also be useful more broadly for students in other states and countries with an interest in Imperialism / The Scramble for Africa.
A ppt which includes workbook expectations, notetaking expectations, behaviour expectations and an assessment outline. This is followed by some context information about the drive to imperialism. The early imperialism era (15th Century) is explained. Students take notes about the economic theory of mercantilism and are introduced to terms like ‘mother country’, ‘colony’ and ‘raw materials.’ Information about early imperialist powers (Portuguese, Spanish, French, British and Ottomans) is summarised. Then there is an explanation of the period when imperialism went out of fashion (the first half of the 19th Century). Some of the obstacles are explained – yellow fever, malaria, sleeping sickness and the nagana disease. An explanation of how the economic theory of ‘free trade’ (Adam Smith’s laissez-faire theory) spelled the death of mercantilism. Why imperialistic activity re-emerged with dramatic suddenness in 1870. The reasons for the renewed ‘drive for empire’ are explained.
Resources designed for the senior Modern History syllabus (implemented in QLD in 2019). The syllabus objectives would also be useful more broadly for students in other states and countries with an interest in The Scramble for Africa.
Resources designed for the senior Modern History syllabus (implemented in QLD in 2019). The syllabus objectives would also be useful more broadly for students in other states and countries with an interest in The Scramble for Africa.
Context: My school runs this program in Alternative Sequence (yr 11 and 12s in together) due to the small size of the school. This lesson was delivered as a 2 hour block during the term 4 exam block to introduce the unit for the following year and to allow year 10s and 11s who would be studying the subject together to meet each other.
This resource includes:
1 x PowerPoint
1 x worksheet
A collection of political cartoons from 2022 for students to analyse in a group work task
The PPT structures the lesson which is more skills based than the previous lesson. it begins by defining ‘sources’ and explaining the difference between primary and secondary sources. This is followed by some things students should keep in mind when evaluating sources.
2 rounds of trivia 20 Q’s per round (as a bonding activity). Round 1 2022 Events. Round 2 – Modern History.
There are some revision questions about terms like ideologies, paternalism, hegemonic.
Then the lesson turns to the major skill for the day: how to analyse and evaluate visual sources. A list of common visual sources is provided along with why each of those types can be useful to historians. There is a viewing activity so that students can Learn about how photographers can influence their viewers by how they frame the subjects in their photographs. There are some photos from the Scramble for Africa that students can discuss.
From here, we turned our attention to political cartoons. Students learned about common techniques used in political cartoons. They were taught the PICTURE acronym to help them unpack visual sources. I included images of common symbols used in the sources we will encounter e.g. Uncle Sam, Marianne, Britannia, the Statue of Liberty, Bear (Russia), Bald Eagle (USA), Lion (England), chains (oppression) etc. information was also provided about other techniques which they use including analogy, caricature, exaggeration, irony, juxtaposition, idioms.
Students then view a 3 minute video about the power of political cartoons (and answer 4 questions). They have a go at unpacking some political cartoons from the Age of Imperialism.
To conclude the lesson each group is given 2 contemporary political cartoons. They create posters where they annotate the features – techniques, people, events – before sharing their results with the group.
Resources designed for the senior Modern History syllabus (implemented in QLD in 2019). The syllabus objectives would also be useful more broadly for students in other states and countries with an interest in The Scramble for Africa.
Context: My school runs this program in Alternative Sequence (yr 11 and 12s in together) due to the small size of the school. This lesson was delivered as a 2 hour block during the term 4 exam block to introduce the unit for the following year and to allow year 10s and 11s who would be studying the subject together to meet each other.
This resource includes:
1 x PowerPoint
1 x Worksheet (designed to step students through the lesson. It includes copies of the sources on the PPT slide and questions for them to answer.)
1 x Match the definitions activity (10 terms) + a glossary of other useful terms for the unit
The lesson includes:
• An assessment overview for the two-year program
• An overview of the 6 cognitions assessed in this subject (analyse, evaluate, synthesise, devise etc.)
• A couple of rounds of trivia (to see what students know)
• An overview of the Term 1 assessment (IA1)
• A brief history of colonialism
• Introduction to important terms – ideology, nationalism, expansionism, imperialism
• A viewing activity (with viewing questions for students to listen out for)
• A map showing European colonial claims in 1900
• Justifications for imperialism – survival of the fittest, social Darwinism, pseudoscientific theories like phrenology, the white man’s burden, political motives, economic motives, religious motives, personal motives,
• Introducing an acronym for analysing and evaluating sources: CAMPORUM
• Students are given two primary sources (soap advertisements) which they are to unpack. They must then write a TEEL paragraph discussing the ideologies evident in the sources. (This is used as a diagnostic activity. I collect them and mark them.).
Two resources: A PowerPoint and Worksheet. The worksheet is designed to step students through the lesson. It includes copies of the sources on the PPT slide and questions for them to answer. It also includes space for them to copy the notes that have been underlined in the PPT presentation.
The PPT begins with answers to the homework analysis activity – analysing a visual source about the revolution. This is followed by information about two key revolutionaries: Vladimir Lenin and Leon Trotsky. There is a YouTube viewing activity about how these two men rose to power. Students have a graphic organiser to fill in as they watch. ‘Leninism’ is explained followed by information about the return of the Bolshevik revolutionaries from exile. Information about why this is a turning point is provided. After this ‘The July Days’ is explained as well as lessons that Trotsky took away from this. Information about the rising political support for the Bolshevik party is provided. Subsequently, information about how the provisional government was overthrown is included. A timeline of the October revolution is provided followed by some checking for understanding activities. The homework task is then explained. (I usually tell students to take a photo of the homework instructions). Additional videos are linked for if you need to kill time.
Designed to meet the requirements of the senior Modern History syllabus (implemented in QLD in 2019), this unit falls under the category of ‘Ideas in the Modern World.’
Two resources: A PowerPoint and Worksheet. The worksheet is designed to step students through the lesson. It includes copies of the sources on the PPT slide and questions for them to answer. It also includes space for them to copy the notes that have been underlined in the PPT presentation.
The PPT begins with a viewing activity from YouTube (Simple History’s summary of the Russian Revolution.) This is followed by information about the short- and long-term causes of the Russian Revolution. (Linking back to what students have learned about WW1). Students are reminded of the term ideology and are given information about ‘revolutionary ideologies’ and strategies used by revolutionary leaders. There is information about obstacles to the revolution which students need to copy some of onto their worksheets. There are some warnings that the Tsar received about the revolutionary situation which students must read and summarise the key ideas (implicit/explicit meanings) on their worksheet. Following this a summary of each day of the February revolution is provided. Students have to write catchy headlines to summarise each day. Finally there is a visual source for students to practice analysing for homework.
Designed to meet the requirements of the senior Modern History syllabus (implemented in QLD in 2019), this unit falls under the category of ‘Ideas in the Modern World.’
Two resources: A PowerPoint and Worksheet. The worksheet is designed to step students through the lesson. It includes copies of the sources on the PPT slide and questions for them to answer. It also includes space for them to copy their notes. 4 pages.
The PPT begins with an explanation of ‘The Lena Goldfields Massacre’ (4th April 1912) and its impacts. There is information about how WW1 gave the Tsar a temporary reprieve from discontent (due to initial rates of public support for the war). Information about Lenin’s view of the war and his wish for a social revolution is provided. Information about why the Russian army suffered so many defeats (ammunition supplies, internal organisation etc) are provided and used to explain how this war was so damaging for Nicholas II’s reputation. There is also information about Rasputin’s political and social impacts. This lesson ends with an informative YouTube video about The Russian October Revolution 1917.
Designed to meet the requirements of the senior Modern History syllabus (implemented in QLD in 2019), this unit falls under the category of ‘Ideas in the Modern World.’
Two resources: A PowerPoint and Worksheet
The worksheet is designed to step students through the lesson. It includes copies of the sources on the PPT slide and questions for them to answer. It is 6 pages.
The PowerPoint is designed for use in a 70 minute history lesson. It begins with a summary of Bloody Sunday before giving a more in depth explanation of the event on the subsequent slides. There are underlined notes for students to copy. There is a photograph of the march and some information about the social and political problems which led the workers to write a petition to Tsar Nicholas II. A translated version of the petition is included along with some checking for understanding questions. The next source for exploration is Father Gapon’s description of what happened as the workers approached the winter palace. Then a visual source (a painting entitled ‘Death in the Snow’ is presented (along with 4 questions). Another political cartoon from a French weekly satirical magazine is also shown. Following this information about other events which impacted Nicholas’s popularity are shown including the war with Japan. Information about political opposition to the Tsar is included. There is an explanation of the various political parties and their aims. The October Manifesto (1905) is also explained. There is additional information about the actions taken to avoid a revolution. For homework students have to create a timeline covering 1905-1916. There are instructions on the slide for this task.
Designed to meet the requirements of the senior Modern History syllabus (implemented in QLD in 2019), this unit falls under the category of ‘Ideas in the Modern World.’
A mini lesson (10 slides) designed to introduce students to some political systems. It begins with some terms to add to their glossary: capitalism and communism. This is followed by an image which explains the following system in terms of cows - socialism, communism, fascism, Nazism, bureaucratism and capitalism. Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels’ class struggle theories are summarised. There is a video to help students grasp this entitled “Communism vs. Socialism: What’s the difference?” There is information for students to copy about the Communist Manifesto of 1848 (notes to be copied are underlined). There are also some checking for understanding activities.
A PowerPoint designed to introduce students to what Russia was like under the rule of Tsar Alexander II, Tsar Alexander the III and Tsar Nicholas II. It begins by explaining the terms ‘Tsar’ and ‘Tsarism.’ This is followed by an image of the pyramid explaining the feudal system. Students are asked what they can recall about this system. This is followed by some slides explaining Russia’s social structure where students take notes about the ruling class, upper class, middle class, industrial working class, free peasants and unfree peasants. There are some checking for understanding questions to discuss and a couple of visual sources to unpack. This is followed by a visual image of the line of succession with key details about the dates of their reign and the circumstances of their death. The following slides go into each of the Tsars in more detail. When it reaches Nicholas there is a photograph of his coronation and 2 artists depictions. There is information about he Khodynka field disaster and a couple of images. After this, students are prompted to draw a graphic organiser in their books and have to take notes about the political, geographic, social and economic factors which led to the Russian Revolution. The remaining slides go through these factors. This is followed by some checking for understanding questions.
Designed to meet the requirements of the senior Modern History syllabus (implemented in QLD in 2019), this unit falls under the category of ‘Ideas in the Modern World.’
A PowerPoint designed to introduce students to their new topic: Russia. It begins with a popular culture text that some students may be familiar with (Fox’s animated Anastasia movie). This is used as a launching pad to introduce the last Tsar of Russia and his family. This is followed by a short clip about Anastasia and her fate (with questions for students to answer). This is followed by information about our IA2 assessment. Then the focus of the lesson begins with an introduction to the historical context of Russia (prior to the revolution). Students have to add key terms to their glossary (autocratic & tsars). Information about autocratic rule is included and the idea of ‘Divine Right’ is explained. There is a diagram of the feudal system to help students understand how society was structured. Students are introduced to terms including bourgeoise, proletariat and intelligentsia. This is followed by a brief bio of Nicholas II, his wife and the Tsaravivh Alexei. This is followed by a viewing activity about another key figure: Rasputin (and some viewing questions). The lesson ends with a look at Boney M’s song about Rasputin’s death. A reference list is also provided.
Designed to meet the requirements of the senior Modern History syllabus (implemented in QLD in 2019), this unit falls under the category of ‘Ideas in the Modern World.’
A PowerPoint presentation designed for use in a Grade 12 English class.
It includes:
• Instructions for reading activities including what important information to record about the characters,
• Historical context for Nineteen Eighty Four (when it was written, what the world was like post WW2 (during the Cold War), Orwell’s inspirations)
• Key political terms – communism, fascism, totalitarianism, dictatorship etc.,
• Historical figures – Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini, Joseph Stalin, Leon Trotsky
• Examples of propaganda and rewriting history used by Stalin
• Examples of propaganda and censorship in Nineteen Eighty Four
• Orwell’s reasons for writing the text – i.e. showcasing his concerns for the future
Resources designed for the new senior General English syllabus (implemented in QLD in 2019). The syllabus objectives would also be useful more broadly for English students in other states and countries with an interest in this text.
A PowerPoint used during the assessment phase of the unit. It reviews the requirements for the CSOE (IA2). The lesson will help students to learn the purpose, structure and language of a Critical Summary. There are a few examples for students to read (in the hope that they identify good phrasing which they could use as sentence starters for their own). Three suggested structures are provided (taken from the History Skills Website). Afterwards, students have time to map out their ideas for their CSOE and begin writing.
Resources designed for the new senior Modern History syllabus (implemented in QLD in 2019). The end of term assessment for this unit was an Independent Source Investigation.
The content would also be useful more broadly for students in other states and countries with an interest in the China (1931-1976). The other resources are also available in my store – Aussie_Resources.
A PowerPoint used during the assessment phase of the unit. It reviews the requirements for the source analysis and evaluation table for this task (IA2). It also provides students with a list of upcoming checkpoints so they know what they are expected to work on for homework. The lesson begins with a review of how to determine whether a source is trustworthy (reliable). The TADPOLE acronym can be used to help make this assessment. Some preparation tips are provided (as to fit within the word count students should have a plan in place before they begin writing). There are some example source tables for students to learn from. Then, at the end of the 17 slides, there is time for students to begin annotating the sources they have found and make dot points in their planning booklet. They are expected to have 3 tables done before the next lesson.
Resources designed for the new senior Modern History syllabus (implemented in QLD in 2019). The end of term assessment for this unit was an Independent Source Investigation.
The content would also be useful more broadly for students in other states and countries with an interest in the China (1931-1976). The other resources are also available in my store – Aussie_Resources.
A PowerPoint used during the assessment phase of the unit. It begins by explaining what a rationale is and then provides a suggested structure (based on the QCAA exemplar). I have then colour coded and annotated the rationale from the QCAA exemplar to demonstrate the language features and key content. As a key component of the rationale is a tentative thesis statement (aka hypothesis), the PPT then shows how to write a tentative hypothesis and provides some good and bad ones for students to consider. Finally, the students have time to write their first draft of the rationale.
There is also a word document with sentence starters and a handout with 3 example rationales for students to annotate.
Resources designed for the new senior Modern History syllabus (implemented in QLD in 2019). The end of term assessment for this unit was an Independent Source Investigation.
The content would also be useful more broadly for students in other states and countries with an interest in the China (1931-1976). The other resources are also available in my store – Aussie_Resources.
A PowerPoint used during assessment phase of the unit (when students are completing a historical inquiry). It begins with information about how to do a BOOLEAN search. This is followed by a list of good places to look for sources online as well as a list of sources I don’t want to see. There is a recommended research process with tips and suggested word counts. This is followed by what information student should put into their IA2 source analysis tables (a reminder of the Features of Evidence which should be noted is provided via the CAMPORUM acronym). Finally, there are examples of what goes on the left and right side of the table.
A mini lesson on how to write a key inquiry question and relevant sub questions.
Resources designed for the new senior Modern History syllabus (implemented in QLD in 2019). The end of term assessment for this unit was an Independent Source Investigation.
The content would also be useful more broadly for students in other states and countries with an interest in the China (1931-1976). The other resources are also available in my store – Aussie_Resources.
A PowerPoint designed for the assessment handout lesson. It begins with a warm up (Treasure Hunt) where students are given their task sheet and the QCAA exemplar. (There are a list of questions they have to respond to.) Following this, information from the task sheet is shown (i.e. context, task, conditions, checkpoints). I also have a marking summary (how many points they get for each skill). We then look at the ISMG (Instrument Specific Marking Guide) and unpack what each of these mean – using elaborations from the QCAA’s subject reports. Examples of good key and sub questions are included to demonstrate devising and conducting.