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 explains the reasons and consequences of the Normanisation of the Church and particularly focusses on the roles of Archbishops Stigand and Lanfranc.
The lesson includes: Clear learning aim with learning outcomes linked to GCSE grades, a recap from previous learning, an engaging starter task, background information, a pit-stop plenary, a choice of tasks for all levels and learning styles, clearly written instructions in the notes section of each slide, exam practice questions, extension questions, a plenary, differentiation for higher ability students a fact sheets which can be used on its own or alongside other resources you may have.
2023 UPDATE INFO: To take into account copyright, photographic and cartoon images have been attributed where appropriate and are all in the public domain. At times, the images I have wanted to use have been restricted and so you may wish to use your own. Images created by myself using Power Point tools have also been noted as creations of RAResources. Please contact me in person if you see any errors.
This lesson covers the importance of the Church in Norman society as well as the importance it had to William as a means to help him control England.
The lesson includes: Clear learning aims with learning outcomes linked to GCSE grades, a recap from previous learning, an engaging starter task, background information, a choice of tasks for all levels and learning styles, clearly written instructions in the notes section of each slide, exam practice questions, extension questions, a plenary, differentiation for higher ability students and a fact sheet which can be used on its own or alongside other resources you may have.
2023 UPDATE INFO: To take into account copyright, photographic and cartoon images have been attributed where appropriate and are all in the public domain. At times, the images I have wanted to use have been restricted and so you may wish to use your own. Images created by myself using Power Point tools have also been noted as creations of RAResources. Please contact me in person if you see any errors.
This lesson aims to explain the workings of the Feudal System, the roles in a feudal society and the benefits it gave William as king.
The lesson includes: Clear learning aim with learning outcomes linked to GCSE grades, a recap from previous learning, an engaging starter task, background information, a pit-stop plenary, a choice of tasks for all levels and learning styles, clearly written instructions in the notes section of each slide, exam practice questions, extension questions, a plenary, differentiation for higher ability students and two fact sheets which can be used on its own or alongside other resources you may have.
2023 UPDATE INFO: To take into account copyright, photographic and cartoon images have been attributed where appropriate and are all in the public domain. At times, the images I have wanted to use have been restricted and so you may wish to use your own. Images created by myself using Power Point tools have also been noted as creations of RAResources. Please contact me in person if you see any errors.
This bundle includes the following lessons. I have numbered them as their order in the whole topic:
Lesson 11. The submission of the earls after Hastings
Lesson 12. William’s use of rewards, the borderlands and Marcher Earldoms
Lesson 13. The features and reasons for castle building.
Lesson 14. Anglo-Saxon resistance (Edwin and Morcar)
Lesson 15. Anglo-Saxon resistance (York and Durham)
Lesson 16. Anglo-Saxon resistance Hereward the Wake Ely
Lesson 17. The Harrying of the North
Lesson 18. Norman Landownership
Lesson 19. Revolt of the Norman Earls
Lesson 20. William’s Royal Control
This lesson completes the second unit of Anglo-Saxon and Norman England and asks the students to evaluate the main reasons why William was able to maintain his power.
The lesson includes:
Clear learning aims and outcomes linked to GCSE Grades
Discuss and diagram about how William has kept control
A focus task on a 16 mark question
A printable explanation worksheet to encourage students how to explain the reasons
An interactive printable worksheet where students can evaluate each reason
A fact sheet so you will not need the use of other books
Plenary to recap previous learning from this unit.
2023 UPDATE INFO: To take into account copyright, photographic and cartoon images have been attributed where appropriate and are all in the public domain. At times, the images I have wanted to use have been restricted and so you may wish to use your own. Images created by myself using Power Point tools have also been noted as creations of RAResources. Please contact me in person if you see any errors.
This lesson is likely to cover 2 hours. It questions the causes, features, events and reasons for the failure of the Revolt of the Earls in 1075.
The lesson includes: Clear learning aim with learning outcomes linked to GCSE grades, a recap from previous learning, an engaging starter task, background information, a choice of tasks for all levels, clearly written instructions in the notes section of each slide, exam practice questions, extension questions, a plenary, differentiation for higher ability students and two fact sheets which can be used on its own or alongside other resources you may have.
2023 UPDATE INFO: To take into account copyright, photographic and cartoon images have been attributed where appropriate and are all in the public domain. At times, the images I have wanted to use have been restricted and so you may wish to use your own. Images created by myself using Power Point tools have also been noted as creations of RAResources. Please contact me in person if you see any errors.
This lesson covers the changes to landownership as a method of control used by William after 1071.
The lesson includes: Clear learning aim with learning outcomes linked to GCSE grades, a recap from previous learning, an engaging starter task, background information, a choice of tasks for all levels, clearly written instructions in the notes section of each slide, exam practice questions, extension questions, a plenary, differentiation for higher ability students and a fact sheet which can be used on its own or alongside other resources you may have.
2023 UPDATE INFO: To take into account copyright, photographic and cartoon images have been attributed where appropriate and are all in the public domain. At times, the images I have wanted to use have been restricted and so you may wish to use your own. Images created by myself using Power Point tools have also been noted as creations of RAResources. Please contact me in person if you see any errors.
The reasons for, the features of and the consequences of the Harrying of the North.
**The lesson includes: **Clear learning aim with learning outcomes linked to GCSE grades, a recap from previous learning (key term match up), an engaging starter task (source analysis of the Harrying), easily accessible background information, a choice of tasks for all levels, clearly written instructions in the notes section of each slide, exam practice questions, extension questions, differentiation for higher ability students and a fact sheet which can be used on its own or alongside other resources you may have. 19 Slides in total.
2023 UPDATE INFO: To take into account copyright, photographic and cartoon images have been attributed where appropriate and are all in the public domain. At times, the images I have wanted to use have been restricted and so you may wish to use your own. Images created by myself using Power Point tools have also been noted as creations of RAResources. Please contact me in person if you see any errors.
This lesson specifically focusses on Hereward the Wake’s resistance at Ely and then encourages the students to think about why all of the rebellions between 1068-71 were a failure.
The lesson includes: Clear learning aim with learning outcomes linked to GCSE grades, a recap from previous learning, an engaging starter task, background information with a map of Ely’s location, a choice of tasks for all levels including a sort tasks and comprehension question sheets, clearly written instructions in the notes section of each slide, exam practice questions, extension questions, a plenary, differentiation for higher ability students and a fact sheet which can be used on its own or alongside other resources you may have.
2023 UPDATE INFO: To take into account copyright, photographic and cartoon images have been attributed where appropriate and are all in the public domain. At times, the images I have wanted to use have been restricted and so you may wish to use your own. Images created by myself using Power Point tools have also been noted as creations of RAResources. Please contact me in person if you see any errors.
This lesson looks at a further two attempts at resistance against William from the north along with the involvement of Edgar Aethling. It explores the events of the rebellions and then explains why these rebellions again failed.
The lesson includes: Clear learning aim with learning outcomes linked to GCSE grades, a recap from previous learning, an engaging starter task, background information, a choice of tasks for all levels, clearly written instructions in the notes section of each slide, exam practice questions, extension questions, a plenary, differentiation for higher ability students and a fact sheet which can be used on its own or alongside other resources you may have.
2023 UPDATE INFO: To take into account copyright, photographic and cartoon images have been attributed where appropriate and are all in the public domain. At times, the images I have wanted to use have been restricted and so you may wish to use your own. Images created by myself using Power Point tools have also been noted as creations of RAResources. Please contact me in person if you see any errors.
This lesson helps students explain the reasons for Edwin and Morcar’s attempted revolt against William in 1068 and then explain why it failed. The lesson is 17 slides long and includes: GCSE Grade descriptors, recap of previous learning, starter task, background information, a sorting task of reasons, exam practice questions, extension tasks, plenary and then a lesson fact sheet which can be printed to use with the lesson. This lesson can be used without the need for any text books if needed.
2023 UPDATE INFO: To take into account copyright, photographic and cartoon images have been attributed where appropriate and are all in the public domain. At times, the images I have wanted to use have been restricted and so you may wish to use your own. Images created by myself using Power Point tools have also been noted as creations of RAResources. Please contact me in person if you see any errors.
This lesson examines the main features of Norman castles and then explains to the students how to form an explanation about WHY William built the castles. 19 slides in total with graded outcomes, recap, starter, background information, a choice of tasks, exam focus, plenary and fact sheet for the lesson.
Lesson Summary: A look into William’s use of rewards and his creation of the Marcher Earldoms on the borderlands with Wales.
Slide 1: Learning Aim and Key Terms
Slide 2: GCSE Learning Outcomes
Slide 3: Recap from the previous lesson - students have to fill in the missing words from the list provided.
Slide 4: Recap answers revealed for peer or self assessment.
Slide 5: A teacher printable copy with 3 missing word sheets on an A4 page.
Slide 6:Starter Task: Students play the role of William and consider questions about who he should reward and what he should reward.
Slide 7: Background information
Slide 8: Background information
Slide 9: Information and map showing the creation of the Marcher Earldoms. Discussion task included.
Slide 10: Task Sheet - Students to write a speech as William to describe and explain his use of rewards to his followers and also explain his creation of the Marcher Earldoms.
Slide 11: Differentiated guidance sheet with sentence starters and levels.
Slide 12: Another task sheet which can be printed off for students in class. Two levels of difficulty for this sheet.
Slide 13: Extension questions.
Slide 14: Exam practice questions based on the lesson (4, 12 and 16 marker questions).
Slide 15: Plenary - Key term anagrams
Slide 16: Plenary answers
Slide 17: Fact Sheet to use with the lesson. This can be used without the need of GCSE text books or alongside them.
Lesson Summary: This lesson covers the events after the Battle of Hastings and importantly, allows the students to explain why Aethling and his earls submitted to William so soon after the battle.
Slide 1: Learning Aim and Key Terms
Slide 2: GCSE Learning Outcomes
Slide 3: Key Term Recap Sheet with instructions.
Slide 4: Key Term sheet for the teacher to use on the board
Slide 5: 4x Key Term sheets to be printed for students.
Slide 6: Starter Task - What do you think William’s problems and challenes would have been after winning the Battle of Hastings?
Slide 7: Starter Task - Problems revealed on the board.
Slide 8: Problem solving Task Instructions - students given 6 problems that William faced with 3 options. They have to select and explain why solution they would select.
Slide 9 - 14: The 6 problems and their solutions to select from.
Slide 15 - 20: The answers to detail what William’s solutions actually were. With sound effects.
Slide 21-23: Task Sheet - Differentiated storyboard sheets for students to record the events after the Battle of Hastings.
Slide 24: Explanation Task about why the earls subitted with a discussion task.
Slide 25: A sorting task for students to decide if the earl’s submission was due to their weakness or William’s strengths.
Slide 26: Extension Task sheet to be displayed on the board.
Slide 27: Exam question based on the lesson.
Slide 28: Plenary - Students have to look at a map showing the events and without using any notes, describe and explain to each other what happened.
Slide 29: Maps to be printed if needed.
Slide 30: Fact sheet for the lesson which can be used as a revision tool, recap sheet or solely for the lesson itself without the need for the text books.
This bundle contains the first lessons for Edexcel’s Anglo-Saxon and Norman England.
Lesson 1: Anglo Saxon society and introduction to this unit.
Lesson 2: The power of the Anglo-Saxon monarchy.
Lesson 3: How Anglo-Saxon England was governed and controlled.
Lesson 4: Anglo-Saxon Economy and Religion.
Lesson 5: The House of Godwin and Harold’s embassy to Normandy.
Lesson 6: The rising against Tostig in Northumbria.
Lesson 7: The claims to the English throne.
Lesson 8: The battles of Gate Fulford and Stamford Bridge.
Lesson 9: The events and armies of the Battle of Hastings.
Lesson 10: Explaining why William won at the Battle of Hastings.
Lesson Summary: In this lesson, students will use prior knowledge of the events of the battle to help explain the reasons for William’s victory. They will then be helped to complete a 16 mark exam question.
Slide 1: Learning Aim and Key Terms
Slide 2: GCSE Learning Outcomes
Slide 3: Recap - Students need to decide if the 12 key terms or linked to the Norman army, the Saxon army or both.
Slide 4: Recap - The answers are revealed on the board.
Slide 5: Starter - Students in pairs and given the role of a Norman or Saxon soldier. They have to explain why they have won (Norman) or lost (Saxon) to each other.
Slide 6: Example exam questions given with a lesson focus on the 16 mark question.
Slide 7: Explanation of the task on slide 8
Slide 8: Organisation task - students read through the various reasons for William’s victory and use the key provided to categorise them.
Slide 9: A differentiated version of slide 8.
Slide 10: An alternative or additional worksheet where students can make their own notes to summerise the main reasons why.
Slide 11: Extension Task - a 16 mark style statement is given to promote higher level thinking.
Slide 12: Instructions about how to answer the 16 mark question.
Slide 13: A handout for students to use to give sentence starters and explain each step of the writing process to them.
Slide 14: Just for fun Hastings cartoon.
Slide 15-16: Fact sheets for the lesson which can be used as a revision tool, recap sheet or solely for the lesson itself without the need for the text books.
2023 UPDATE INFO: To take into account copyright, photographic and cartoon images have been attributed where appropriate and are all in the public domain. At times, the images I have wanted to use have been restricted and so you may wish to use your own. Images created by myself using Power Point tools have also been noted as creations of RAResources. Please contact me in person if you see any errors.
Lesson Summary: Part 1 of two lessons that starts to look at the events of the Battle of Hastings and also the advantages and disadvantages of the Norman and Anglo-Saxon armies.
Slide 1: Learning Aim and Key Terms
Slide 2: GCSE Learning Outcomes
Slide 3: Printable recap crossword to recall key terms about the Battle of Gate Fulford and Stamford Bridge from previous learning.
Slide 4: Crossword answers revealed on the board.
Slide 5: Starter - Spot the difference (with differentiation) between the Norman Knights and Saxon Housecarls.
Slide 6: Background clip with 8 linked questions
Slide 7: Background information about the main events leading up to the 14th October.
Slide 8: Background slide covering the Fryd.
Slide 9: Task Instructions for the ‘Living Graph’.
Slide 10: Printable worksheet to give students so they can track each stage of the Battle of Hastings and rate the success of both sides.
Slide 11: Example slide of how to complete the living graph
Slide 12: Extension task involving the theme of turning points in the Battle of Hastings.
Slide 13: Replacement/alternative worksheet with three sets of differentiated questions which are answered using the fact sheets.
Slide 14: A selection of 4 mark ‘Describe two features of’ type questions.
Slide 15: Plenary - A recap pyramid.
Slide 16: Just for fun slide with funny Bayeaux Tapestry cartoon.
Slide 17-18: Fact sheets for the lesson which can be used as a revision tool, recap sheet or solely for the lesson itself without the need for the text books.
Level: GCSE History
Exam Board: Edexcel 1-9
Lesson Summary: A look at the causes, events and consequences of the Battle of Gate Fulford and Stamford Bridge.
Slide 1: Learning Aim and Key Terms
Slide 2: GCSE Learning Outcomes linked to grades.
Slide 3: Recap of previous learning about the rivals to the English throne with a 10 question quiz about the key rivals.
Slide 4: Recap quiz answers revealed on the board for student self assessment.
Slide 5: Starter discussion - What threats will Godwinson still have at the start of his reign?
Slide 6: Background - the threats that Godwinson faced outlined on the board with animations.
Slide 7: Background - Two hyperlinked clips about Gate Fulford and Stamford Bridge from BBC Teach website.
Slide 8: Task introduction - students can select from either a timeline task or an annotated map task.
Slide 9 - 12: Various formats of timeline for you to select for your students.
Slide 13: Annotatted map task sheet.
Slide 14:Extension tasks for higher ability
Slide 15: Exam Practice questions for all question types based on this lesson.
Slide 16: Plenary - Students have to rearrange 6 post-it-notes into the correct order of events.
Slide 17-18: Fact sheets for the lesson which can be used as a revision tool, recap sheet or solely for the lesson itself without the need for the text books.
Level: GCSE History
Exam Board: Edexcel 1-9
Lesson Summary: An investigation into the various claims and motives to the English throne after the death of Edward the Confessor.
Slide 1: Learning Aim and Key Terms
Slide 2: GCSE Learning Outcomes
Slide 3: A key term match up task emphasising the use of key terms for knowledge and SPaG.
Slide 4: Answers for the key term match up task revealed on this slide for student self assessment.
Slide 5: A printable, smaller version of the task which could used as a settling task.
Slide 6: Starter - Discussion. Based on the decision of the Witan with background information about who they were.
Slide 7: Starter - Discussion - What qualities and skills would the Witan be looking for with the next king of England?
Slide 8: Background information about Harold’s coronation day.
Slide 9: An introduction to the main rivals to the English throne.
Slide 10: A short clip outlining the 4 claimants from BBC Teach
Slide 11:Task - Students given 4 fact sheets for each rival and asked to fill in a table (slide 16)
Slide 12-14: A fact sheet for each rival
Slide 16: The table which can be easily photocopied for students to fill in.
Slide 17: Extension task questions for students to explain and evaluate the candidates.
Slide 18: Possible exam practice questions
Slide 19: Plenary - Who am I?
Slides 20-21Fact sheets for the lesson which can be used as a revision tool, recap sheet or solely for the lesson itself without the need for the text books.
Level: GCSE History
Exam Board: Edexcel 1-9
Lesson Summary: An explanation for the reasons why the people of Northumbria revolted against Tostig.
Slide 1: Introduction slide with Learning Aim - To explain the reasons for the uprising against Tostig in Northumbria.
Slide 2: GCSE Graded Learning Aims
Slide 3: Starter Task - Fill in the missing terms from the previous lesson
Slide 4: Starter Task - Answers revealed.
Slide 5: Starter Task - differentiated for students who may need the key terms as prompts.
Slide 6: Starter Task hand out sheet for simply printing off and giving to students.
Slide 7: Who am I quiz - featured in another lesson but worth a recap.
Slide 8: Another Discussion Task
Slide 9: Another Starter Task - scene from Bayeux Tapestry - can the students think about why Tostig and Harold might be fighting?
Slide 10: 5 minute cartoon video clip with focus question.
Slide 11: Background information about the events leading to the rebellion.
Slide 12: Background information.
Slide 13: Background information
Slide 14: Task sheet - students to complete a table which will eventually help them form 3 PEE paragraphs about the causes of the uprising against Tostig.
Slide 15: An example slide for the teacher to form one model paragraph with the students.
Slide 16: A short storyboard covering the events after the uprising and the death of Edward with the Succession Crisis.
Slide 17: Example exam questions including the one linked to slide 14.
Slide 18: Plenary.
Slide 19: Fact sheet for the lesson which can be used as a revision tool, recap sheet or solely for the lesson itself without the need for the text books.