This 60-minute A-Level History lessons can be used for any of the main exam boards for example AQA Industrialisation and the People; OCR From Pitt to Peel: Britain 1783–1853; Edexcel Britain, c1785–c1870: democracy, protest and reform. The lesson explores reasons why the period has been referred to as a 'Golden Age in Agriculture'. Teachers get two main tasks (downloadable worksheets) which the class uses to colour-code and must identify factors and evidence which eventually helps to answer the main enquiry question.

This is a 1-hour GCSE American West lesson where students investigate the experiences of both the Donner and Sagar parties. Students will discover that some of the experiences were down to a combination of errors, problems and good decisions. There are four documents in this lesson: - A teacher PowerPoint which guides students throughout the lesson with engaging images and clear examples. - Donner Party Fact Map: a set of fact bubbles which students have to categorise. - Sagar Party Fact Map: same as above. - Reviewing the Accounts: students use their research to consolidate their learning about the two groups of people. The lesson ends with an Exit ticket asking students to decide what the experiences were for the parties involved.

This 120-minute lesson is also about the development of the first organised police force (Bow Street Runners) but is framed around the issue of highway robbery as it was a significant problem and symptomatic with crime in the mid-1700s and the work of the Fielding brothers was one reason why highway robbery disappeared. The starter gets students to explore the 1860 painting by William Powell Frith “Claude Duval’ (prompt questions included). The next task asks students to become GCSE Examiners and they have to mark and feedback on an exemplar answer. This quick 5-6 minute activity looking at the issues of Early Modern policing (e.g. weak constables, watchmen) and what the Fielding Brother did to improve law and order (Bow Street Runners). Two further tasks: a NOPCUR Source Analysis Task on the Bow Street Runners - could be a good assessment (resource included); Diamond 9 task examining reasons why highway robber disappeared (this could be a homework task!). These two lessons work well for any Early Modern, Crime and Punishment schemes of learning and the source analysis resource could become an assessment piece as well. If you like these resources please take a look at our other resources: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/HumanitiesResources

This 60-minute A-Level lesson investigates the reasons why Peel repealed the Corn Laws. There is a presentation and accompanying Source Worksheet and Sources Table. The lessons starts with a recap of Peel and the Conservative Party + brief look at key historian’s view of why Peel won the election of 1841. Why did Peel repeal the Corn Laws? Students use the Sources Worksheet to complete a table (also provided). There is an exam question planning task where they use sources and plan an answer. An example is modelled which shows how to identify, then use specific knowledge and how to corroborate or refute the argument. There is a further opportunity to model using the examples in the lesson. This part of the presentation can also be set as homework.

This 60-minute KS3 or KS4 lesson explores life in Russia in the 1920s and 1930s. The lesson centres around a young boy named Pavlik and students work in pairs or smaller groups to discover his fate. The lesson includes an initial task getting them thinking about the time period, a mystery and final thoughts exploring recent historiography on Pavlik. Students complete an Exit ticket by writing a brief Tweet based around a 'Bigger Picture' question. Concepts and keywords include: gulags , 'purges', Stalin and forced labour camps.

This 60-min full lesson challenges students to solve a MYSTERY surrounding a real-life case about a family's experience of the Black Death in Bologna . Students will discover ideas about the cause of disease, how illness was treated at the time and ways of preventing disease. Students work in groups of three or if more suitable in pairs. A PowerPoint guides them through different tasks and ends with an Exit Ticket asking them to consider a possible answer to the mystery question as well as wider issues about medicine through time.

This Full Lesson for KS3 takes students on an exciting, yet horrifying, journey through World War I. They explore the historical skill of 'significance' through analysing historical sources. This is a newsroom simulation where students take the role of journalists reporting as an event unfolds. The event was the first ever gas attack which took place on 22 April 1915. As gas had never been used prior to this, the effects were both shocking and horrifying. Student love this lesson and it's easily adapted to suit all learners. Resources, PowerPoint and lesson plan all included.

This 60-minutes full A-Level lesson teach students about historian's views on how far Disraeli was committed to social reform; get students to identify arguments, support with evidence and contextual understanding (printable resource included). The second part of the lesson explores the question 'How Democratic was Britain by 1867' and starts with a chronology task on political reforms after 1867. A series of tasks and teacher exposition build up students understanding and the lesson culminates with an Exit Ticket where students conclude their thinking around the issue of how far Britain was indeed a democracy by 1885. Editable.

In this part of our series on 20th Century History Lessons, students will be taught about life in Britain during world war 2. Students investigate an image of a young boy eating chocolate; they are asked to consider question they would wish to ask in order to fully understand the topic. Students then work in pairs or in groups of three to solve a mystery. The lesson ends with a brief video clip showing why the boy at the start of the lesson stuffed himself with chocolate! Other issues and concepts are also raised as part of the mystery: rationing, Digging for Victory, ww2 child evacuees, Phoney War, impetigo and world war 2 children.

This 60-minute lesson investigates how far the middle ages were lawless and violent using primary sources. The class also examines a case about the mediaeval justice system to decide if someone should be punished for the death of a villager. Students then explore the types of punishments used during the period. Students will consolidate their understanding by planning a history documentary (plan template available). The lesson concludes with the class discussing which source is more useful to historians investigating if the Middle Ages were lawless and violent. The sources and guidance are all included in the presentation. Keywords: trial by ordeal, trial by hot iron, consecration, hue and cry, tithing, utility.

This 60-minute A-Level lesson investigates Robert Peel's economic policies. Briefly look at historiography of Peel. Students to summarise key historians. 10-minute lecture and follow-up quiz. Key points relating to Peel and finance + 10 min lecture with questions for students to answer. Peel responded to the challenges of his age by ‘adapting his policies in the light of reasoned argument and practical necessity’? True? Discussion. Using their understanding of the historical context, students assess how convincing the arguments are in three extract in relation to Sir Robert Peel. Students complete table identifying argument and providing evidence which corroborates or refutes. Sources from provided.

This 60-minute A-Level lesson explores the question 'How far did Britain suffer a ‘Great Depression’ 1873 and 1896'. This lesson suits most exam board covering Units such as AQA Industrialisation and the People; Edexcel Britain, c1785–c1870: democracy, protest and reform. Students start by reading a segment from Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest - showing demographic changes due to depression). Revisit at the end of the lesson once they have analysed the effects of the depression. There are several tasks in the lesson, allowing for discussion around evidence 'was there a depression?' to dealing with factors such as demography and socio-economic effects. Students build a case for and against the enquiry question before revising the main question.

How Did the Depression and the New Deal Affect Black Americans? This A-Level or top ability GCSE History lesson will challenge students to consider the impact the depression and New Deal had on African-Americans. This is a full 60 minute lesson including all the resources you need to actively engage your students to think hard. The lesson gets A-Level students up from their seats, quizzing each other whilst learning new knowledge. The final main task includes a Venn Diagram which asks students to categorise information. The lesson ends with the class consolidating their understanding in a Tweet! This has been used in 'review' and 'observation' lessons with 'exceptional feedback'. Success criteria: Can give examples of what the New Deal did for black Americans. Can analyse what factors affected black Americans the most.

This 60-minute lesson gets students investigating the witchcraft -craze of the 1600s. The main focus is centred around Matthew Hopkins Witch-finder General and includes a source analysis task as well as a thinking-skills mystery on why the witchcraft craze began. There is a fact and sources sheet which students use to support their learning of new knowledge when completing the source task. The MYSTERY 'Why did old women hang from oak trees in 1645?' could be used as a stand alone activity for schemes of learning on witchcraft and Tudor history as well. If you like our resources why not check out the other KS3, KS4 or A-Level History resources? Link: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/HumanitiesResources

This 60-minute A-Level lesson consolidates knowledge around three questions: Why did Russia declare war against Japan? What were the reactions to 1905 and what the the causes? Why did Nicholas II issue the October Manifesto? The lesson also includes a TASK where students categorise reasons for the October Manifesto, colour-coding into LONG/SHORT and IMMEDIATE reasons. This A-Level lesson is suitable for exams groups and specifications such as Edexcel: Russia in revolution, 1894–1924; Option 1E: Russia, 1917–91: from Lenin to Yeltsin; Option 38.1: The making of modern Russia, 1855–1991. AQA: 1H Tsarist and Communist Russia, 1855–1964 ; 2N Revolution and dictatorship: Russia, 1917–1953 . OCR: Russia 1894–1941; Russia and its Rulers 1855–1964

This 60-minute lessons gives students time to explore how Britain changed between 1750 to 1923 by challenging them to work through a series of engaging tasks. This could be used as the first lesson of a Unit on the Industrial Revolution or as part of an in-depth lesson on change and continuity. - comparing how transport, how villages/towns and cities were powered, how people lived and more - defining 'revolution' and elaborating on that definition with the help of a video clip - a fact sheet and worksheet gives the class time to investigate how agriculture, medicine, hygiene and education changed - source analysis of a painting - map analysis comparing Manchester through time. Try our other lessons on the Industrial Revolution: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/-full-lesson-why-did-businesses-grow-1750-1900-industrial-revolution-ks3-11814720

This 60-minute lesson gets students thinking about why soldiers continued fighting even though it was a sometimes harsh reality being on the front line. Students will reach a judgement on the most significant cause / consequence of events, they will be challenged to explain the interrelationship between causes. There is also an activity where students summarise why soldiers were willing to continue fighting. High challenge. Knowledge-Rich. Exciting! Tasks: - Analysing sources and linking those to Kitchener’s FOUR MAIN AIMS . - Examine the main REASONS why soldiers continued fighting and develop an hypothesis why they did using a handout. A brief ranking task is follows. - mind-map tasks using evidence.

This 60-minute lesson covers the growth of businesses and birth of towns during the Industrial Revolution. Students start by examining a piece of statistics on population growth which is supported by a list of questions to help guide their thinking. There are further activities in this lesson including: - UPDATE: now with a peer-assessment task and Checklist! - labelling task on how towns grow (excellent as homework and perfect for low attaining students as well as SEND). Challenge questions are included to stretch the middle and high prior attaining students. - a video clip informs students about the impact of factories on towns and cities like Birmingham which is also supported a range of questions. - Card sort and/or factor activity: students read a range of cards and have to decide which factor each belongs to; - An extended writing task immediately follows the card sort/ factor activity. If you enjoy the lesson do rate us too : ) !

This 60-minute GCSE History lesson explores the issues surrounding Nazi policy on youth; Nazi ideology and aims for Germany's youth. After an engaging starter using a clip freely available on Youtube (Cabaret 1972, 'Tomorrow Belongs to Me'), students work in teams of three to solve a mystery surrounding an historically accurate account of a boy named Walter Hess. They will use evidence to see why the boy reported his dad to the Gestapo. Through this activity students will realise the mystery is not really about Walter Hess, but about something much more sinister... The lesson ends with an activity where the class investigate source material about how the Nazis tried to win the hearts and minds of German youth.

This 60-minute lesson for either KS3 or KS4 will teach students about how the Tudors dealt with vagrancy and what policies they introduced. Students will use Nature, Origin and Purpose (NOP) to analyse sources material to find out about issues around poverty. The class explores the question 'Why did the number of poor people increase during the Early Modern period?' and will use a handout to complete a research task. Finally, students complete a Living-Graph to investigate the treatment of the vagabonds in the Tudor period. They decide whether the treatment became increasingly harsh or soft as the period progressed. This is an engaging lesson which challenged students to think hard.