Welcome to RA Resources. I have an extended range of fully resourced, high quality History lessons for KS2, KS3 and GCSE aimed at schools, tutors and home learning. Having taught History abroad and then in Cornwall for 20 years, these lessons reflect my creativity and teaching experience.
Please feel free to email me with any enquiries about the resources on offer. You can keep up to date with my latest published lessons using the Facebook link in my shop.
Welcome to RA Resources. I have an extended range of fully resourced, high quality History lessons for KS2, KS3 and GCSE aimed at schools, tutors and home learning. Having taught History abroad and then in Cornwall for 20 years, these lessons reflect my creativity and teaching experience.
Please feel free to email me with any enquiries about the resources on offer. You can keep up to date with my latest published lessons using the Facebook link in my shop.
This lesson examines the causes, events and consequences of the Exoduster settlement of Kansas.
The lesson resources include:
1 x A4 Workbook Style Fact Sheet (PDF & PPT) – Included in every American West lesson!
1 x Main Power Point Lesson
This lesson includes:
Clear learning aims/targets
Provoking starter tasks and discussion activities
Printable worksheets
Engaging background information
Challenge tasks
Exam links
Learning Review
Fact Sheet linked to the GCSE specification
All images used in this lesson are in the public domain and are therefore copyright free at the time of publishing. Images which require attribution have been attributed in the notes section of each slide where the image appears. If you feel any errors have been made, please contact me at raschoolresources@gmail.com in the first instance to resolve any issues. My lessons are completed using PowerPoint and designed on widescreen formatting. Thank you.
This resource is for personal use only and for copyright reasons should not be copied/amended for commercial use.
**This lesson examines the causes, events and the impact of the Oklahoma Land Rush. There is a particular focus on the importance and consequences of the events. **
The lesson resources include:
1 x A4 Workbook Style Fact Sheet (PDF & PPT) – Included in every American West lesson!
1 x Main Power Point Lesson
This lesson includes:
Clear learning aims/targets
Provoking starter tasks and discussion activities
Printable worksheets
Engaging background information
Challenge tasks
Exam links
Learning Review
Fact Sheet linked to the GCSE specification
All images used in this lesson are in the public domain and are therefore copyright free at the time of publishing. Images which require attribution have been attributed in the notes section of each slide where the image appears. If you feel any errors have been made, please contact me at raschoolresources@gmail.com in the first instance to resolve any issues. My lessons are completed using PowerPoint and designed on widescreen formatting. Thank you.
This resource is for personal use only and for copyright reasons should not be copied/amended for commercial use.
**This lesson examines the decline of the cattle industry during the 1880s and consequently the changing life of the cowboy. **
The lesson resources include:
1 x A4 Workbook Style Fact Sheet (PDF & PPT) – Included in every American West lesson!
1 x Main Power Point Lesson
This lesson includes:
Clear learning aims/targets
Provoking starter tasks and discussion activities
Printable worksheets
Engaging background information
Challenge tasks
Exam links
Learning Review
Fact Sheet linked to the GCSE specification
All images used in this lesson are in the public domain and are therefore copyright free at the time of publishing. Images which require attribution have been attributed in the notes section of each slide where the image appears. If you feel any errors have been made, please contact me at raschoolresources@gmail.com in the first instance to resolve any issues. My lessons are completed using PowerPoint and designed on widescreen formatting. Thank you.
This resource is for personal use only and for copyright reasons should not be copied/amended for commercial use.
This lesson looks at the further developments in farming techniques by the 1870s and 1880s, in particular: dry farming, barbed wire, mechanisation and steel wind pumps.
The lesson resources include:
1 x A4 Workbook Style Fact Sheet (PDF & PPT) – Included in every American West lesson!
1 x Main Power Point Lesson
This lesson includes:
Clear learning aims/targets
Provoking starter tasks and discussion activities
Printable worksheets
Engaging background information
Challenge tasks
Exam links
Learning Review
Fact Sheet linked to the GCSE specification
All images used in this lesson are in the public domain and are therefore copyright free at the time of publishing. Images which require attribution have been attributed in the notes section of each slide where the image appears. If you feel any errors have been made, please contact me at raschoolresources@gmail.com in the first instance to resolve any issues. My lessons are completed using PowerPoint and designed on widescreen formatting. Thank you.
This resource is for personal use only and for copyright reasons should not be copied/amended for commercial use.
**This lesson covers the Indian Wars between 1862-68 including Little Crow’s War, the Sand Creek Massacre and Red Cloud’s War. **
The lesson resources include:
1 x A4 Workbook Style Fact Sheet (PDF & PPT) – Included in every American West lesson!
1 x Main Power Point Lesson
This lesson includes:
Clear learning aims/targets
Provoking starter tasks and discussion activities
Printable worksheets
Engaging background information
Challenge tasks
Exam links
Learning Review
Fact Sheet linked to the GCSE specification
All images used in this lesson are in the public domain and are therefore copyright free at the time of publishing. Images which require attribution have been attributed in the notes section of each slide where the image appears. If you feel any errors have been made, please contact me at raschoolresources@gmail.com in the first instance to resolve any issues. My lessons are completed using PowerPoint and designed on widescreen formatting. Thank you.
This resource is for personal use only and for copyright reasons should not be copied/amended for commercial use.
**This lesson looks at US government policy towards the Plains Indians during the 1860s and 1870s with a focus on the increasing tensions between Plains Indians and the American government in reservation land, President Grant’s Peace Policy and the Indian Appropriations Act. **
The lesson resources include:
1 x A4 Workbook Style Fact Sheet (PDF & PPT) – Included in every American West lesson!
1 x Main Power Point Lesson
This lesson includes:
Clear learning aims/targets
Provoking starter tasks and discussion activities
Printable worksheets
Engaging background information
Challenge tasks
Exam links
Learning Review
Fact Sheet linked to the GCSE specification
All images used in this lesson are in the public domain and are therefore copyright free at the time of publishing. Images which require attribution have been attributed in the notes section of each slide where the image appears. If you feel any errors have been made, please contact me at raschoolresources@gmail.com in the first instance to resolve any issues. My lessons are completed using PowerPoint and designed on widescreen formatting. Thank you.
This resource is for personal use only and for copyright reasons should not be copied/amended for commercial use.
**This lesson looks at the impact that the gold rush, cattle industry and the railroad had on the life of the Plains Indians. **
The lesson resources include:
1 x A4 Workbook Style Fact Sheet (PDF & PPT) – Included in every American West lesson!
1 x Main Power Point Lesson
This lesson includes:
Clear learning aims/targets
Provoking starter tasks and discussion activities
Printable worksheets
Engaging background information
Challenge tasks
Exam links
Learning Review
Fact Sheet linked to the GCSE specification
All images used in this lesson are in the public domain and are therefore copyright free at the time of publishing. Images which require attribution have been attributed in the notes section of each slide where the image appears. If you feel any errors have been made, please contact me at raschoolresources@gmail.com in the first instance to resolve any issues. My lessons are completed using PowerPoint and designed on widescreen formatting. Thank you.
This resource is for personal use only and for copyright reasons should not be copied/amended for commercial use.
UPDATED 2023:
These useful sheets can be used in the everyday classroom setting to help teach a unit, used as book inserts or revision materials. They set out an easy to follow guide to answering each question type from Edexcel GCSE History Paper 2 exams. They are student friendly and provide clear instructions about each question on each sheet.
You will receive the following:
An exam paper writing frame for the British Depth Study (Anglo-Saxon and Norman England, King Richard, Henry VIII, Elizabeth I)
An exam paper writing frame for the Period Study (Spain & New World, British America, The American West, Cold War & Middle East)
A BONUS literacy support sheet - this includes some really useful sentence starters to help students write their answers, especially for the Paper 2 questions.
Please note that all images used in these resources are copyright free or have been attributed in the notes section of each slide. If you believe there are any errors, please email me in the first instance.
**This lesson examines how the lifestyle of the cowboy changed along with the development of the cattle industry. **
The lesson resources include:
1 x A4 Workbook Style Fact Sheet (PDF & PPT) – Included in every American West lesson!
1 x Main Power Point Lesson
This lesson includes:
Clear learning aims/targets
Provoking starter tasks and discussion activities
Printable worksheets
Engaging background information
Challenge tasks
Exam links
Learning Review
Fact Sheet linked to the GCSE specification
All images used in this lesson are in the public domain and are therefore copyright free at the time of publishing. Images which require attribution have been attributed in the notes section of each slide where the image appears. If you feel any errors have been made, please contact me at raschoolresources@gmail.com in the first instance to resolve any issues. My lessons are completed using PowerPoint and designed on widescreen formatting. Thank you.
This resource is for personal use only and for copyright reasons should not be copied/amended for commercial use.
UPDATED NEW 2025/6 SPEC. This lesson examines the reasons behind the attempt to colonise Virginia and the reasons for its failure as well as the role played by Walter Raleigh in planning the Virginia Project.
The lesson resources include:
1 x A4 Workbook Style Fact Sheet (PDF & PPT)
1 x 21 slide main power point Lesson
1 x A4 printable sorting task - Why did the attempt to colonise Virginia fail?
2 x A4 printable comprehension style worksheets
The main power point presentation includes:
Slide 1: Title slide
Slide 2: A discussion and definition of the term colonise
Slide 3: Starter 1 - The location of modern day Virginia
Slide 4: Background information about the colonisation of Virginia
Slide 5-6: Starter 2 - A choice of two slightly different activities based around the problems faced by the settlers in colonising land in the 1500s.
Slide 7-10: Background information about the significance and role of Walter Raleigh with added discussion questions.
Slide 11-13: Task 1 - Why colonise Virginia match up activity with answers and printable resource
Slide 14: Task 2 - Planning for the attempted colonisation diagram
Slide 15: Task 3 - Sort task based on the reasons for the failure (links to printable worksheet also included in the pack)
Slide 16-17: Learning Review Quiz - with answers
Slide 18-19: Example exam/assessment questions
Slide 20-21: Lesson fact sheets
This lesson has been updated in line with the amended specification and exam questions ready for the 2025/6 examinations.
All images used in this lesson are in the public domain and are therefore copyright free. Images which require attribution have been attributed in the notes section of each slide where the image appears. If you feel any errors have been made, please contact me at raschoolresources@gmail.com in the first instance to resolve any issues. My lessons are completed using PowerPoint and designed on widescreen formatting. Thank you.
This resource is for personal use only and for copyright reasons should not be copied/amended for commercial use.
NEW 2025/6 SPEC - This is an updated lesson examines the main reasons for the increase in exploration during the reign of Elizabeth I such as the influence of new technology, trade in the Americas and West Africa and improved ship design.
The lesson resources include:
1 x A4 Workbook Style Fact Sheet (PDF & PPT)
1 x 23 slide main Power Point Lesson
The main Power Point includes:
Slide 1: Title Slide
Slide 2-3: Warm Up Activity - Students compare two maps of the world before and after the Elizabethan Age of Discovery.
Slide 4-6: Warm Up Activity - A fun personality test to determine if students would make a suitable Elizabethan explorer - includes answers and printable questionnaire.
Slide 7-8: Starter Task - Picture quiz - What influenced the increase in Elizabethan exploration?
Slide 9: Background information covering the main factors which influenced Elizabethan exploration.
Slide 10: Background information about new technology such as astrolabes and quadrants.
Slide 11-12: Task 1 - Explaining the reasons for Elizabethan exploration with printable worksheets
Slide 13-14: Task 2 - Instructions to make a revision aid cube with printable cut out cube.
Slide 15-17: Task 3 - Exploration fact questions with answers and printable question sheet.
Slide 20: Learning Review - The Explain Game
Slide 21-22: Example exam/assessment questions based on Elizabethan exploration.
Slide 23: Lesson fact sheet
This lesson has been updated in line with the amended specification and exam questions ready for the 2025/6 examinations.
All images used in this lesson are in the public domain and are therefore copyright free. Images which require attribution have been attributed in the notes section of each slide where the image appears. If you feel any errors have been made, please contact me at raschoolresources@gmail.com in the first instance to resolve any issues. My lessons are completed using PowerPoint and designed on widescreen formatting. Thank you.
This resource is for personal use only and for copyright reasons should not be copied/amended for commercial use.
UPDATED FOR 2025/6 SPEC. This lesson covers the reasons why there was an increase in poverty and vagabondage in Elizabethan England. Students examine factors such as enclosure, the wool industry, falling wages, inflation and the dissolution of the monasteries.
The lesson resources include:
1 x A4 Workbook Style Fact Sheet (PDF & PPT)
1 x 24 slide Main Power Point Lesson
1 x Printable worksheet
1 x Causes of Elizabethan poverty handout
The main powerpoint lesson contains:
Slide 1: Title slide
Slide 2: Starter task discussion - what is poverty?
Slide 3-4: Warm up Quiz - Elizabethan poverty questions with answers
Slide 5-6: Starter Task 2 - Analysis of poverty graphs
Slide 7-8: Backgrounf information about the features of Elizabethan poverty and vagabondage
Slide 9: An outline of the main causes of poverty with discussion question
Slide 10-11: Task 1 - Table fill instructions and printable worksheet
Slide 12-17: Printable resources to help students with task 1
Slide 18: Task 2 - Which factor was the most significant cause of poverty?
Slide 19: Follow up challenge questions
Slide 20-21: Learning Review Quiz with answers
Slide 22-23: Example exam/assessment questions
Slide 24: Lesson fact sheet
This lesson has been updated in line with the amended specification and exam questions ready for the 2025/6 examinations.
All images used in this lesson are in the public domain and are therefore copyright free. Images which require attribution have been attributed in the notes section of each slide where the image appears. If you feel any errors have been made, please contact me at raschoolresources@gmail.com in the first instance to resolve any issues. My lessons are completed using PowerPoint and designed on widescreen formatting. Thank you.
This resource is for personal use only and for copyright reasons should not be copied/amended for commercial use.
NEW 2025/6 SPEC: Students to describe the features of Elizabethan sports, pastimes and theatre for the rich and poor.
The lesson resources include:
1 x A4 Workbook Style Fact Sheet (PDF & PPT)
1 x 20 slide Main Power Point Lesson
The Main Power Point Lesson:
Slide 1: Title slide
Slide 2: As you enter - students think about modern day opportunities for sports, hobbies and theatre
Slide 3: An outline of Elizabeth sports, pastimes and theatre with discussion questions.
Slide 4-12: Starter Activity - Picture quiz - students identify the Elizabethan sports and pastimes.
Slide 13-14: Task 1 Worksheet with printable worksheet
Slide 15: Follow up challenge tasks
Slide 16-18: Learning Review Crossword with answers and printable worksheet.
Slide 19-20: Example exam questions
Slide 21: Fact Sheet
This lesson has been updated in line with the amended specification and exam questions ready for the 2025/6 examinations.
All images used in this lesson are in the public domain and are therefore copyright free. Images which require attribution have been attributed in the notes section of each slide where the image appears. If you feel any errors have been made, please contact me at raschoolresources@gmail.com in the first instance to resolve any issues. My lessons are completed using PowerPoint and designed on widescreen formatting. Thank you.
This resource is for personal use only and for copyright reasons should not be copied/amended for commercial use.
**This lesson covers the roles of Goodnight & Loving, Joseph McCoy and John Iliff in the development of the cattle industry. **
The lesson resources include:
1 x A4 Workbook Style Fact Sheet (PDF & PPT) – Included in every American West lesson!
1 x Main Power Point Lesson
This lesson includes:
Clear learning aims/targets
Provoking starter tasks and discussion activities
Printable worksheets
Engaging background information
Challenge tasks
Exam links
Learning Review
Fact Sheet linked to the GCSE specification
All images used in this lesson are in the public domain and are therefore copyright free at the time of publishing. Images which require attribution have been attributed in the notes section of each slide where the image appears. If you feel any errors have been made, please contact me at raschoolresources@gmail.com in the first instance to resolve any issues. My lessons are completed using PowerPoint and designed on widescreen formatting. Thank you.
This resource is for personal use only and for copyright reasons should not be copied/amended for commercial use.
UPDATED FOR 2025/26 Students will examine the reasons for the Spanish invasion of England in 1588 and the features of the invasion plans.
The lesson resources include:
1 x A4 Workbook Style Fact Sheet (PDF & PPT)
1 x Main Power Point Lesson
The main 16 slide lesson includes:
Slide 1: Title slide
Slide 2-3: Anglo-Spanish tensions recap activity with answers
Slide 4: Starter Task
Slide 5-8: Task 1 - Gap fill activity based on the Spanish invasion plans with printable worksheets and answers
Slide 9-10: Task 2 -Causes of the Spanish Armada table sort with printable resources
Slide 11: Follow up challenge questions
Slide 12-13: Learning Review number match up activity with answers
Slide 14-15: Example exam/ assessment questions
Slide 16: Fact sheet
All images used in this lesson are in the public domain and are therefore copyright free at the time of publishing. Images which require attribution have been attributed in the notes section of each slide where the image appears. If you feel any errors have been made, please contact me at raschoolresources@gmail.com in the first instance to resolve any issues. My lessons are completed using PowerPoint and designed on widescreen formatting. Thank you.
This resource is for personal use only and for copyright reasons should not be copied/amended for commercial use.
This lesson has a focus on the actions of Francis Drake and Robert Dudley and asks students to explain their role in the decline of Anglo-Spanish Relations in the years before the Spanish Armada.
The lesson resources include:
1 x A4 Workbook Style Fact Sheet (PDF & PPT)
1 x Main 23 slide Power Point Lesson
1 x Worksheet
The Power Point includes:
Slide 1: Title slide
Slide 2-3: Recap multiple choice quiz about Anglo-Spanish relationships - with answers
Slide 4 - 14: A series of role play/decision making tasks where students decide which option Elizabeth should select.
Slide 15 - 16: Background knowledge about Robert Dudley’s actions in the Netherlands
Slide 17: Background knowledge about Drake’s Raid on Cadiz
Slide 18-19: Task 1: Explaining how the events increased tensions between England and Spain
Slide 20-22: Example exam/assessment questions
Slide 23: Lesson fact sheet
All images used in this lesson are in the public domain and are therefore copyright free at the time of publishing. Images which require attribution have been attributed in the notes section of each slide where the image appears. If you feel any errors have been made, please contact me at raschoolresources@gmail.com in the first instance to resolve any issues. My lessons are completed using PowerPoint and designed on widescreen formatting. Thank you.
This resource is for personal use only and for copyright reasons should not be copied/amended for commercial use.
This packed lesson examines how and why the relationship between England and Spain declined in the 1570s and 80s. Students will examine factors such as religion, the actions of Francis Drake, trading rivalry in the Americas and events in the Netherlands. The lesson also includes a BONUS timeline activity focussed on the events in the Netherlands.
This lesson has been updated in line with the amended specification and exam questions ready for the 2025/6 examinations.
The lesson pack includes:
1 x Fact sheet - The declining relationship between England and Spain (PDF & PPT)
1 x Tensions in the Netherlands timeline worksheet
1 x 29 slide PowerPoint lesson
The PowerPoint lesson includes:
Slide 1: Title slide
Slide 2-3: Learning recap 12 question quiz covering the relationship between Elizabeth’s England ans Spain in the 1550s/60s with answers.
Slide 4-5: Starter Activity - Identify the reasons for the the growing tensions - with answers
Slide 6-7: Task 1 - Table fill and explain task based on the main reasons for Anglo-Spanish tensions with instructions.
Slide 8-17: Printable fact cards with two versions (easy and hard). To be given to students to help them complete the table.
Slide 18: Task 2 - Which factor caused the most tension plus additional challenge questions.
Slide 19-22: Example exam/assessment questions with structured suggestions
Slide 23: Learning Review 1 - Sentence fill
Slide 24-26: Learning Review quiz sheet with 20 questions from the lesson with answers
Slide 27: Lesson fact sheet
Slide 28-29 BONUS NETHERLANDS TIMELINE ACTIVITY
All images used in this lesson are in the public domain and are therefore copyright free. Images which require attribution have been attributed in the notes section of each slide where the image appears. If you feel any errors have been made, please contact me at raschoolresources@gmail.com in the first instance to resolve any issues. My lessons are completed using PowerPoint and designed on widescreen formatting. Thank you.
**This resource is for personal use only and for copyright reasons should not be copied/amended for commercial use. **
NEW 2025/6 Spec In this lesson, students examine the reasons for the Elizabeth I’s execution of Mary, Queen of Scots in 1587 and its significance.
This lesson has been updated in line with the amended specification and exam questions ready for the 2025/6 examinations.
The lesson pack includes:
1 x fact sheet - The reasons for Mary, Queen of Scots’ execution (PDF & PPT)
1 x sample exam paper for students to practice questions linked to this topic.
1 x main PowerPoint
The main 11 slide PowerPoint contains:
Slide 1: Title slide
Slide 2: Mary, Queen of Scots recap questions with answers
Slide 3: Starter Task - The reasons for and against Mary’s execution discussion and table fill with answers
Slide 4: Starter Task - Analysis of a painting of Mary’s execution.
Slide 5: Links to video clips covering the execution
Slide 6-7: Task 1 - Why was Mary executed sorting task with instructions.
Slide 8: Follow up questions
Slide 9-10: Practice exam/assessment questions
Slide 11: Fact sheet
All images used in this lesson are in the public domain and are therefore copyright free. Images which require attribution have been attributed in the notes section of each slide where the image appears. If you feel any errors have been made, please contact me at raschoolresources@gmail.com in the first instance to resolve any issues. My lessons are completed using PowerPoint and designed on widescreen formatting. Thank you.
This resource is for personal use only and for copyright reasons should not be copied/amended for commercial use.
**NEW 2025/6 SPEC!! This lesson examines the causes, events and consequences of the main plots against Elizabeth during her reign - the Throckmorton Plot, Ridolfi Plot and the Babington Plot. **
The lesson pack includes:
1 x A4 fact sheet - The Ridolfi, Throckmorton and Babington Plots (PDF & PPT)
1 x Printable worksheet
1 x Main 20 slide PowerPoint
The main powerpoint includes:
Slide 1: Title slide
Slide 2-3: Learning recap - the Catholic threats to Elizabeth with answers
Slide 4: Overview of the three main plots
Slide 5: Starter discussion
Slide 6-8: Task 1 - Table fill activity with printable worksheets and answers.
Slide 9-11: Printouts to support students with the table fill activity
Slide 12: Task 2 - What were the similarities between the plots?
Slide 13: Follow up challenge questions
Slide 14-15 - Learning recap - Which plot am i? With answers
Slide 16-18: Sample exam questions
Slide 19-20: Fact sheets linked to learning.
All images used in this lesson are in the public domain and are therefore copyright free. Images which require attribution have been attributed in the notes section of each slide where the image appears. If you feel any errors have been made, please contact me at raschoolresources@gmail.com in the first instance to resolve any issues. My lessons are completed using PowerPoint and designed on widescreen formatting. Thank you.
This resource is for personal use only and for copyright reasons should not be copied/amended for commercial use.
This lesson covers the causes, events and significance of the Revolt of the Northern Earls (1569).
This lesson has been updated in line with the 2025/6 amended specification and so takes into account amendments to the spec. and exam questions.
The lesson pack includes:
1 x A4 Fact sheet - The Revolt of the Northern Earls (PDF & PPT)
1 x Main 19 slide PowerPoint
The Main PowerPoint includes:
Slide 1: Title Slide
Slide 2-3: Threats to Elizabeth Picture Quiz with answers
Slide 4: The Revolt of the Northern Earls as a turning point
Slide 5-6: Starter Activity Gap Fill
Slide 7: Background information - Why was there Catholic opposition in the North?
Slide 8-9: Task 1 - Reasons for the Revolt of the Northern Earls instructions and printable worksheet.
Slide 10-12: Task 2 - The events and failure of the Revolt of the Northern Earls activities, printable worksheets and instructions.
Slide 13: Why was the revolt significant?
Slide 14-15: Learning Review Match Up Key Names with answers
Slide 16: Additional printable worksheet
Slide 17-18: Sample exam questions
Slide 19: Lesson fact sheet
All images used in this lesson are in the public domain and are therefore copyright free. Images which require attribution have been attributed in the notes section of each slide where the image appears. If you feel any errors have been made, please contact me at raschoolresources@gmail.com in the first instance to resolve any issues.
My lessons are completed using PowerPoint and designed on widescreen formatting. Thank you.
**This resource is for personal use only and for copyright reasons should not be copied/amended for commercial use. **