This outstanding resource has been designed by experienced teachers to help develop students critical thinking skills whilst studying the causes of Britain’s Industrial Revolution 1750 - 1900. It can be used with middle and upper ability students as a starter, plenary, revision or assessment activity. If you are looking for a resource to for the full ability spectrum, then why not check out my card sort on this topic, which can be downloaded from my TES shop. The resource includes nine diamond shaped cards which include a range of factors which explain Britain had an Industrial Revolution 1750 - 1900? The document is provided in Microsoft Word so you can edit the resource if you wish to customise it further by changing any of the key factors that I have included. Once students have cut out the cards out they are set three tasks including: 1. Remove any reasons that you don’t think are important. Record and explain why you have removed them. 2. Arrange the remaining diamonds to show any links that you can find between the different reasons. Record and explain your reasons. 3. Make a smaller diamond shape using the four most important reasons why Britain had an Industrial revolution 1750 - 1900. Record and explain the reasons for your choices. At each stage students should be feeding back to their group or the class and explaining their choices. The discussion and explanation around the choices that they have made are critical in helping them develop their critical thinking skills as well as their understanding of the topic. The aims and objectives for this lesson are: Theme: The Industrial Revolution 1750 - 1900 Know: How did Britain change from 1750 - 1900? Understand: Why did Britain have an Industrial Revolution 1750 - 1900? Analyse: Which causes were the most important? Skills: Analysis, Evaluation, Discussion & Collaboration WILF: What Am I Looking For this lesson? Identify and describe: How did Britain change 1750 - 1900? Explain: Why did Britain have an Industrial Revolution 1750 - 1900? Analyse: begin to form a judgement in which causes were the most important? If you like this resource then why not check out my other resources on this topic in my TES shop. You can also follow ‘The History Academy’ on Twitter, Google Plus, YouTube and Facebook for the latest updates or even to get in touch and chat about how you have used this resource or to ask questions. We aim to produce cheap and affordable resources for either the price of a good cup of coffee or a happy meal so that you can spend more time doing the things that you want. Anyway, have fun and stay in touch via social media for the latest updates. Kind Regards Roy

This tried and tested card sort looks at the controversial topic of General Haig's leadership during the Battle of the Somme. Students are given two heading cards labelled 'Butcher of the Somme' and the 'Man who won the war.' However, depending upon how you decide to use them you could change them to 'evidence for and 'evidence against' as the document is in word. In addition to the headings cards, students are given 14 statements to sort through. These are based on the latest research on the topic. This activity is suitable for a wide range of learners and could be used as the basis of an assessment task or extended writing activity. Aims & Objectives Theme: Why was there a stalemate on the Western Front? Know: What tactics did General Haig use at the Battle of the Somme in 1916? Understand: Why did the Battle of the Somme end in a stalemate? Evaluate: Was General Haig the 'Butcher of the Somme? WILF: What Am I Looking For? Identify and describe- What happened during the Battle of the Somme in 1916? Explain - Why did Haig's tactics fail to achieve a breakthrough? Analyse - How far was Haig's responsible for the failure to break through in 1916? Professional Knowledge For those of you who are new to the profession, this topic is controversial for a number of reasons. Firstly, the leadership of the British Army during the war is traditionally described by some historians as 'lions led by donkeys.' Please note that this interpretation first grew out a dissatisfaction with the Treaty of Versailles and the concept that the First World War would be the 'War to end all wars' in the 1930's. Clearly by then, many of the sacrifices appeared to have been in vain with the rise of Hitler and the threat of war. However, in the immediate aftermath of the First World War, Haig was seen as a hero. He was also the man who set up the Royal British Legion and began the first poppy appeal. Secondly, this topic is controversial for many of our Australian cousins whose sense of national identity grew out of their frustration and anger over the disaster at Gallipoli. This has led to feeling that the British tactics were a complete failure in all theatres of war and has led to the writing of some pretty bad popular history by Australian tour guides like John Laffin in his book ‘British Butchers and Bunglers of WW1' to almost justify the Republican Movement in Australia. History as always is controversial. Historians create a hierarchy of facts to suit their own interpretations. This exercise gets students to have a go at creating their own! I have also created a PowerPoint to accompany this topic, which can be downloaded separately or as part of a discounted package. Kind Regards Roy

This tried and tested card sort looks at the controversial topic of General Haig's leadership during the Battle of the Somme. Students are given two heading cards labelled 'Butcher of the Somme' and the 'Man who won the war.' However, depending upon how you decide to use them you could change them to 'evidence for and 'evidence against' as the document is in word. In addition to the headings cards, students are given 14 statements to sort through. These are based on the latest research on the topic. This activity is suitable for a wide range of learners and could be used as the basis of an assessment task or extended writing activity. Aims & Objectives Theme: Why was there a stalemate on the Western Front? Know: What tactics did General Haig use at the Battle of the Somme in 1916? Understand: Why did the Battle of the Somme end in a stalemate? Evaluate: Was General Haig the 'Butcher of the Somme? WILF: What Am I Looking For? Identify and describe- What happened during the Battle of the Somme in 1916? Explain - Why did Haig's tactics fail to achieve a breakthrough? Analyse - How far was Haig's responsible for the failure to break through in 1916? Professional Knowledge For those of you who are new to the profession, this topic is controversial for a number of reasons. Firstly, the leadership of the British Army during the war is traditionally described by some historians as 'lions led by donkeys.' Please note that this interpretation first grew out a dissatisfaction with the Treaty of Versailles and the concept that the First World War would be the 'War to end all wars' in the 1930's. Clearly by then, many of the sacrifices appeared to have been in vain with the rise of Hitler and the threat of war. However, in the immediate aftermath of the First World War, Haig was seen as a hero. He was also the man who set up the Royal British Legion and began the first poppy appeal. Secondly, this topic is controversial for many of our Australian cousins whose sense of national identity grew out of their frustration and anger over the disaster at Gallipoli. This has led to feeling that the British tactics were a complete failure in all theatres of war and has led to the writing of some pretty bad popular history by Australian tour guides like John Laffin in his book ‘British Butchers and Bunglers of WW1' to almost justify the Republican Movement in Australia. History as always is controversial. Historians create a hierarchy of facts to suit their own interpretations. This exercise gets students to have a go at creating their own! I have also created a PowerPoint to accompany this topic, which can be downloaded separately or as part of a discounted package. Kind Regards Roy

This PowerPoint is designed to span two lessons and includes 6 activities to help students assess the tactics that General Haig used at the Battle of the Somme in 1916. The aims and objectives are: Theme: Why was there a stalemate on the Western Front? Know: What tactics did General Haig use at the Battle of the Somme in 1916? Understand: Why did the Battle of the Somme end in a stalemate? Evaluate: Was General Haig the 'Butcher of the Somme? Skills: Cause, Consequence, Source Analysis and Interpretation WILF: What Am I Looking For? Identify and describe - What happened during the Battle of the Somme in 1916? Explain - Why did Haig’s tactics fail to achieve a breakthrough? Analyse - How far was Haig’s responsible for the failure to break through in 1916? These activities include a snowballing starter, source analysis comparing John Laffin and the BBC’s Blackadder interpretation of General Haig, a contemporary cartoon analysis to assess public reaction in 1916, a summary diagram of why Haig tactics failed and a source analysis comparing the different perspectives of George Coppard and Haig of the progress made on the first day of the attack. I’ve also included a card sort activity which could be used as the basis for an assessment or extended writing on the topic. In all there are 40 slides which can be easily customised for your students. It could also be uploaded to a virtual learning environment and used as an independent learning resource for homework. Professional Knowledge For those of you who are new to the profession, this topic is controversial for a number of reasons. Firstly, the leadership of the British Army during the war is traditionally described by some historians as ‘lions led by donkeys.’ Please note that this interpretation first grew out a dissatisfaction with the Treaty of Versailles and the concept that the First World War would be the ‘War to end all wars’ in the 1930’s. Clearly by then, many of the sacrifices appeared to have been in vain with the rise of Hitler and the threat of war. However, in the immediate aftermath of the First World War, Haig was seen as a hero. He was also the man who set up the Royal British Legion and began the first poppy appeal. Secondly, this topic is controversial for many of our Australian cousins whose sense of national identity grew out of their frustration and anger over the disaster at Gallipoli. This has led to feeling that the British tactics were a complete failure in all theatres of war and has led to the writing of some pretty bad popular history by Australian tour guides like John Laffin in his book ‘British Butchers and Bunglers of WW1’ to almost justify the Republican Movement in Australia. Anyway, have fun and I look forward to your feedback.

This great little resource gets students to sort through a series of 12 primary and secondary sources about the reign of Queen Mary I 1553 - 1558, with the aim of deciding whether she deserves the reputation of Bloody Mary. Once this has been complete, students can then have a go at answering the question: Does Mary I deserve the title, ‘Bloody Mary’? I would recommend that this resource should be used with either a core or advanced group as there is a lot of reading, which would be too much for a foundation group with low literacy skills. This resource makes a great starter or plenary. It can be cut up the students or placed into envelopes for use with several classes or even set as a piece of homework. The aims and objectives are: Theme: Consequences of the break with Rome? Know: Why did Queen Mary I burn protestant heretics? Understand: How has Mary been viewed by both contemporaries and historians? Evaluate: Does Mary I deserve the title ‘Bloody Mary’? WILF - What Am I Looking For? Identify and describe: Which sources support / disagree with the ‘Bloody Mary’ interpretation? Explain: Why do people disagree about how ‘Bloody’ Mary I was? Analyze: How far does Queen Mary deserve the title ‘Bloody Mary?’ If you like this resource, I have also created a PowerPoint on the reign of Queen Mary I, with additional information to go along with this card sort. This topic also makes for a great assessment task. Kind Regards Roy

This great little resource gets students to sort through a series of 12 primary and secondary sources about the reign of Queen Mary I 1553 - 1558, with the aim of deciding whether she deserves the reputation of Bloody Mary. Once this has been complete, students can then have a go at answering the question: Does Mary I deserve the title, ‘Bloody Mary’? I would recommend that this resource should be used with either a core or advanced group as there is a lot of reading, which would be too much for a foundation group with low literacy skills. This resource makes a great starter or plenary. It can be cut up the students or placed into envelopes for use with several classes or even set as a piece of homework. The aims and objectives are: Theme: Consequences of the break with Rome? Know: Why did Queen Mary I burn protestant heretics? Understand: How has Mary been viewed by both contemporaries and historians? Evaluate: Does Mary I deserve the title 'Bloody Mary'? WILF - What Am I Looking For? Identify and describe: Which sources support / disagree with the 'Bloody Mary' interpretation? Explain: Why do people disagree about how 'Bloody' Mary I was? Analyse: How far does Queen Mary deserve the title 'Bloody Mary?' If you like this resource, I have also created a PowerPoint on the reign of Queen Mary I, with additional information to go along with this card sort. This topic also makes for a great assessment task. Kind Regards Roy

This great little card sort is a must have for anyone studying why William won the Battle of Hastings in 1066. The resource in a word format so it can be fully adapted to suit your learners, but I have made sure that it's accessible for core, foundation and gifted and talented students. This card sort can be used as a starter, mini plenary or plenary. It can also be used as a planning exercise before students attempt writing an extended essay for assessment purposes on the topic. So in brief, I have provided a two page worksheet with the following heading of leadership / tactics. organisation, luck and Harold's mistakes as well 16 cards that students can sort under these headings. The aims objectives are: Theme: Why did William win the Battle of Hastings in 1066? Know: What factors helped William to win? Understand: How important was William's leadership, tactics, luck and organisation in helping to win? Evaluate: How far did William win or Harold lose? WILF - What an I Looking For? Identify / describe: Why William won the Battle of Hastings? Explain: Several reasons why William won the Battle of Hastings? Analyse: Explain which factor was the most important reason why William won? I have been observed several times with this lesson and have been graded outstanding each time. This is a high quality resource, which works. The students love the activity which never fails to help them develop a sophisticated understanding of why he won! However, don't take my word for it, download and try it! Kind Regards Roy Ps Check out some of my other Norman Conquest resources!

AI has the potential to transform education and revolutionalise the learning experiences of students. This fun and interactive card sort looks at the arguments for and against the use if AI in education. It is designed to be used with a KS4 or KS5 class or as part of a CPD session for teacher training. The language level in this resource is possibly to high for KS3 students, but it is provided in both PDF and Microsoft Word format so you can customise it for your students or your audience. When you purchase this resource, you will be able to download a single page resource which contains two heading cards and sixteen statements that have been mixed up on either the ‘pros’ or the ‘cons’ of AI in education. It also contains a learning objective, instruction and a follow up task which can be set either in lesson or for homework. I have also included a 14 slide PowerPoint to help facilitate the card sort and follow up with a speech writing cosolidation task. Please see the preview for more details. The aims and objectives of this lesson are: Theme: Technology in Education Know: What is AI and how can it be used in education? Understand: The benefits and dangers of AI in education? Evaluate: How far AI has the potential to improve education? Skills: Compare & Contrast, Cause, Consequence & Collaboration WILF – What Am I Looking For? Can You Describe: What is AI and how can it be used in education? Can You Explain: The benefits and dangers of AI in education? Can You Evaluate: How far AI has the potential to improve education? If you like this resource then why not check out my other resources on this topic in my TES shop. You can also follow ‘The History Academy’ on Twitter, Google Plus, YouTube and Facebook for the latest updates or even to get in touch and chat about how you have used this resource or to ask questions. We aim to produce cheap and affordable resources for the price of a good cup of coffee so that you can spend more time doing the things that you want. All our authors are paid the living wage so when you purchase our resources you are buying into our shared values of fair play and decency. Anyway, have fun and stay in touch via social media for the latest updates. Kind Regards Roy

This carefully crafted resource, developed by seasoned educators and field tested and improved in the classroom, aims to enhance students’ critical thinking skills during the exploration of the Peasants’ Revolt in 1381. Suitable for students across all ability levels, this versatile resource serves as a starter, plenary, revision tool, or assessment activity, with a particular focus on challenging high-achieving students who require stretch and challenge. Following a short presentation, students engage in a diamond 9 activity to categorize consequences into ‘short’ and ‘long term’, before deciding which four were the most important or historically significant. Designed to cater to a diverse range of learners, this lesson includes supportive writing frameworks and thinking skills review tools to guide students in their decision-making processes and foster meaningful discussions and critical thinking. When you purchase this resource you will be able to download two fully editable office documents, a Word document containing the diamond 9 activity and a supporting PowerPoint presentation. Both have also been uploaded as PDFs. The PowerPoint contains aims, objectives, differentiated outcomes, information slides, historical sources, starters, templates, writing frames, tasks and activities. Meanwhile, the Word document includes nine diamond shaped cards which include a sellection of ‘short’ and ‘long term’ consequences of the Peasants’ Revolt. Once students have cut the cards out, they are set three tasks including: Remove any reasons that you don’t think are important. Record and explain why you have removed them. Sort the remaining diamonds to show which are ‘short’ or ‘long’ term consequences. Record and explain your reasons. Make a smaller diamond shape using the four most important consequences of the Peasants’ Revolt. Record and explain your reasons. At each stage students should be feeding back to their group or the class and explaining their choices. The discussion and explanation around the choices that they have made are critical in helping them develop not only their critical thinking skills but their understanding of the topic. Please see the detailed preview for more information. The aims and objectives for this lesson are: Theme: Medieval Society Know: What happened after the Peasants’ Revolt in 1381? Understand: Which changes were ‘short’ and ‘long’ term consequences? Evaluate: Which consequences were the most significant? Skills: Source Analysis, Cause, Consequence, Change & Continuality. WILF – What Am I Looking For? Can You Describe: What happened after the Peasants’ Revolt in 1381? Can You Explain: Which changes were ‘short’ and ‘long’ term consequences? Can You Evaluate: Which consequences were the most important?

This outstanding lesson has been developed in challenging schools and field tested in the classroom over many years, aims to enhance students’ critical thinking skills during the exploration of the Peasants’ Revolt in 1381. Suitable for students across all ability levels, this versatile resource serves as a starter, plenary, revision tool, or assessment activity, with a particular focus on challenging high-achieving students who require stretch and challenge. Following a short presentation, students engage in a diamond 9 activity to categorize consequences into ‘short’ and ‘long term’, before deciding which four were the most important or historically significant. Designed to cater to a diverse range of learners, this lesson includes supportive writing frameworks and thinking skills review tools to guide students in their decision-making processes and foster meaningful discussions and critical thinking. When you purchase this resource, you will be able to download two fully editable office documents, a Word document containing the diamond 9 activity and a supporting PowerPoint presentation. Both have also been uploaded as PDFs. The PowerPoint contains aims, objectives, differentiated outcomes, information slides, historical sources, starters, templates, writing frames, tasks and activities. Meanwhile, the Word document includes nine diamond shaped cards which include a sellection of ‘short’ and ‘long term’ consequences of the Peasants’ Revolt. Once students have cut the cards out, they are set three tasks including: Remove any reasons that you don’t think are important. Record and explain why you have removed them. Sort the remaining diamonds to show which are ‘short’ or ‘long’ term consequences. Record and explain your reasons. Make a smaller diamond shape using the four most important consequences of the Peasants’ Revolt. Record and explain your reasons. At each stage students should be feeding back to their group or the class and explaining their choices. The discussion and explanation around the choices that they have made are critical in helping them develop not only their critical thinking skills but their understanding of the topic. Please see the detailed preview for more information. The aims and objectives for this lesson are: Theme: Medieval Society Know: What happened after the Peasants’ Revolt in 1381? Understand: Which changes were ‘short’ and ‘long’ term consequences? Evaluate: Which consequences were the most significant? Skills: Source Analysis, Cause, Consequence, Change & Continuality. WILF – What Am I Looking For? Can You Describe: What happened after the Peasants’ Revolt in 1381? Can You Explain: Which changes were ‘short’ and ‘long’ term consequences? Can You Evaluate: Which consequences were the most important?