WiseArk Ltd which is a ‘micro-company specialising in supplying educational resources.
We specialise in resources for use in tutor time -many of which are also suitable for use in citizenship/PSHE.
We also have a range of resources to support learning in history.
I was a teacher for over 20 years so know from first-hand experience how engaged students can be when given challenges and puzzles.
WiseArk Ltd which is a ‘micro-company specialising in supplying educational resources.
We specialise in resources for use in tutor time -many of which are also suitable for use in citizenship/PSHE.
We also have a range of resources to support learning in history.
I was a teacher for over 20 years so know from first-hand experience how engaged students can be when given challenges and puzzles.
Updated for Charles III
This resource is a power point with a difference to support knowledge and understanding of chronology.
Each slide features a picture of the monarchs of England/Britain from Alfred the Great to Charles III. Each slide appears for a varied amount of time. This helps show how much real time they reigned for – in this presentation 1 second equals 4 years (so the presentation lasts for around 5 minutes)
A set of resources to develop and reinforce knowledge and understanding of Anglo-Saxon era British (English) history including the Viking raids and settlement, especially in terms of chronological knowledge and understanding.
There is a range of distinct resources covering events, places, life etc. They are all suitable for use in class -both as a main activity and as an extension task- and many are suited to homework / independent study – as well as resources for ‘school at home.’
There is a power point presentation of a range of 26 events - from 449 CE -the traditional date for the arrival of the Anglo-Saxons in England-to 1066 CE and the end of Anglo-Saxon England following the Norman invasion and victory at Hastings. (Each slide has picture & one sentence summary)
One version of the above plays automatically to give a sense of the passing of time each event slide is on show for five seconds and the whole presentation lasts for approximately five minutes.
Two related activities develop this study of events with tasks using a selection of the same developments/events - The first is a set of printable ‘cards’ which can be used for sorting or matching tasks (such as the matching pairs game) – each event is on a separate ‘card’ from its date, organised in sets of 10 -there are two sets, but each can be used separately or the two combined to increase the difficulty level.
The second is a set of ‘domino cards’ to provide a more supported matching challenge; these feature the same events and each ‘card’ links to another forming a ‘domino’ like chain (which again can be used as a set of 10 or both combined for greater challenge).
There is also a time-line based sequencing task featuring 24 events (taken from the power point)- A simple sequencing activity to help develop chronological knowledge. There is a list of events with dates -but events are listed alphabetically- and a blank table to enter the information into. So students need to sequence the dates first (there is a sheet/table to help them with doing this).
There is also a support version in which the table to complete has the dates in order so that students just need to find the corresponding event
There are five of the word search and a combined word search & quiz challenge.
Each comes in a range of versions to provide differing degrees of challenge: each wordsearch has a grid and words (name/ places/terms) to find – the same names so that all students are covering the same answers whatever the level of support/challenge. The six topics are: Life x2, People(s) x2 and Places.
In each set the first version is a ‘traditional’ one with the words provided.
Then there are four versions with a quiz: this has the same words to find but they aren’t provided -first you need to use the clues (questions) to work out what word you are searching for.
One just has the clues then there are three supported versions (each of the four has the same clues): the first has the first letter of the answer; the second has the number of numbers in the answer and the third has both the first letter and number of letters.
Finally there is a set of 35 colouring pages (pdf) the images are taken from a range of public domain sources (mainly 19th century books). As they are mainly screenshots of old book pages this may be reflected in the quality of the outlines though many have been digitally enhanced to help provide an outline for colouring in. They have been selected to cover a range of topics from Britain (and some elsewhere) during the Anglo-Saxon Period including the Viking attacks and settlements. Includes workers, buildings, ships, coins, jewellery and the farming year etc.
Word search and mini quiz combined
A set of word searches to help develop knowledge of migration to the British Isles –both individuals born abroad and nationalities that have provided many migrants to Britain over the centuries. Has twenty of each of a range of individuals and nationalities.
There is a set of four different word searches – two on individuals, two on nationalities.
In each set the first version is a ‘traditional’ one with the words provided.
Then there are four versions with a quiz: this has the same words to find but they aren’t provided -first you need to use the clues (questions) to work out what word you are searching for.
One just has the clues then there are three supported versions (each of the four has the same clues): the first has the first letter of the answer; the second has the number of numbers in the answer and the third has both the first letter and number of letters.
This provides students with the opportunity to develop their knowledge of a range of individuals or groups who were born abroad / moved to Britain whilst providing varying degrees of challenge/support. They are suitable for use in class -both as a main activity and as an extension task- as well as for homework / independent study or a cover lesson activity or as a resource for ‘school at home (maybe even as staff challenge!)
The four word-searches cover the following groups/individuals:
Africans, Angles, Asians, Belgians, Chinese, Danes, Flemings, Germans, Huguenots, Indians
Irish, Normans, Norwegians, Polish, Romans, Russians, Saxons, Somalians, Syrians, West Indians
Prince Albert, Montague Burton, Joseph Conrad, Mo Farah, Lucian Freud, Alec Issigonis, Boris Johnson, Judith Kerr, Doreen Lawrence, Michael Marks
Karl Marx, Freddie Mercury, Rupert Murdoch, Rita Ora, Shantra Patak, Prince Phillip, Cliff Richard, Salman Rushdie, Charles Saatchi, JRR Tolkien
A set of resources to develop and reinforce knowledge and understanding of Ancient Egypt, especially in terms of chronological knowledge and understanding.
There is a range of distinct resources, covering deities, people, places , events etc all of which are suitable for use in class -both as a main activity and as an extension task- and many are suited to homework / independent study – as well as resources for ‘school at home.’
There is a power point presentation of a range of 22 events - from 3100 BCE (founding of the First Dynasty) to 30 BCE (Roman annexation of Egypt). (Each slide has picture & one sentence summary)
One version of the above plays automatically to give a sense of the passing of time each event slide is on show for five seconds and the whole presentation lasts for approximately five minutes.
Two related activities develop this study of events with tasks using a selection of the same developments/events - The first is a set of printable ‘cards’ which can be used for sorting or matching tasks (such as the matching pairs game) – each event is on a separate ‘card’ from its date, organised in sets of 10 -there are two sets, but each can be used separately or the two combined to increase the difficulty level.
The second is a set of ‘domino cards’ to provide a more supported matching challenge; these feature the same events and each ‘card’ links to another forming a ‘domino’ like chain (which again can be used as a set of 10 or both combined for greater challenge).
There is also a time-line based sequencing task featuring 20 events from the power point- A simple sequencing activity to help develop chronological knowledge. There is a list of events with dates -but events are listed alphabetically- and a blank table to enter the information into. So students need to sequence the dates first (there is a sheet/table to help them with doing this).
There is also a support version in which the table to complete has the dates in order so that students just need to find the corresponding event
There are four of the word search and a combined word search & quiz challenge.
Each comes in a range of versions to provide differing degrees of challenge: each wordsearch has a grid and words (name/ places/terms) to find – the same names so that all students are covering the same answers whatever the level of support/challenge. The four topics are: Gods, People(s) x2, Places.
In each set the first version is a ‘traditional’ one with the words provided.
Then there are four versions with a quiz: this has the same words to find but they aren’t provided -first you need to use the clues (questions) to work out what word you are searching for.
One just has the clues then there are three supported versions (each of the four has the same clues): the first has the first letter of the answer; the second has the number of numbers in the answer and the third has both the first letter and number of letters.
There are two resources specifically focussed on a range of Gods & Goddesses. Firstly a power point on 19 deities (+ Karnak) -For each one there is a slide with a picture and their main ‘responsibility’. This is a ‘click through’ presentation with a contents slide so that if preferred the teacher can select a specific deity.
Secondly two linked activities that cover knowledge in a different way to a conventional worksheet. The first resource is a set of printable ‘cards’ with one half having the name of either a God/Goddess associated with Ancient Egypt and the other half a sentence on their role etc. These can be used for matching pairs activities (Answers provided!)
The second resource is similar but set out as a set of dominoes to allow for greater variety and a degree of support.
Finally there is a set of 48 colouring pages (pdf) the images are taken from a range of public domain sources (mainly 19th century books). As they are mainly screenshots of old book pages this may be reflected in the quality of the outlines though many have been digitally enhanced to help provide an outline for colouring in. They have been selected to cover a range of topics including Gods, embalming, workers, soldiers and animals.
A simple sequencing activity to help develop chronological knowledge of the Anglo-Saxon/Viking period in English history.
There is a list of 24 events with dates -but events are listed alphabetically- and a blank table to enter the information into. So students need to sequence the dates first (there is a sheet/table to help them with doing this).
There is also a support version in which the table to complete has the dates in order so students just need to find the corresponding event.
The events are mostly those which feature in the linked resources on developing chronological understanding including the power point-from 449 CE -the traditional date for the arrival of the Anglo-Saxons in England-to 1066 CE and the end of Anglo-Saxon England following the Norman invasion and victory at Hastings.
This resource is suitable for use in class as well as ideal for homework / independent study.
Two activities to help students improve their knowledge and understanding of the chronology of Ancient Sumerian history -in a different, more ‘game’ based approach than a traditional worksheet.
Both of which involve matching events to dates: (20 taken from the power point resource on Sumerian history) from c5000 BCE -start of the Uruk period and increasing urbanisation to c1760 BCE when the Babylonians conquered Mesopotamia.
The first is a set of printable ‘cards’ which can be used for sorting or matching tasks (such as the matching pairs game) – each event is on a separate ‘card’ from its date, organised in sets of 10 -there are two sets, but each can be used separately or the two combined to increase the difficulty level.
The second is a set of ‘domino cards’ to provide a more supported matching challenge; these feature the same events and each ‘card’ links to another forming a ‘domino’ like chain (which again can be used as a set of 10 or both combined for greater challenge).
A simple sequencing activity to help develop chronological knowledge.
There is a list of events with dates -but events are listed alphabetically- and a blank table to enter the information into . So students need to sequence the dates first (there is a sheet/table to help them with doing this).
There is also a support version in which the table to complete has the dates in order so students just need to find the corresponding event.
The events are mostly those which feature in the linked resources on developing chronological understanding including the power point-from King Narmer unifying Egypt in c3,100 BCE to the Roman annexation (30 BCE)
This resource is suitable for use in class as well as ideal for homework / independent study.
Two activities to help students improve their knowledge and understanding of the chronology of Ancient Egyptian history -in a different, more ‘game’ approach than a traditional worksheet.
Both of which involve matching events to dates: (the same as on the power point resource on Egyptian history from 3100 BCE-start of the First Dynasty- to 30 BCE when the Romans annexed Egypt.).
The first is a set of printable ‘cards’ which can be used for sorting or matching tasks (such as the matching pairs game) – each event is on a separate ‘card’ from its date, organised in sets of 10 -there are two sets, but each can be used separately or the two combined to increase the difficulty level.
The second is a set of ‘domino cards’ to provide a more supported matching challenge; these feature the same events and each ‘card’ links to another forming a ‘domino’ like chain (which again can be used as a set of 10 or both combined for greater challenge).
A set of four crosswords to help reinforce knowledge of Ancient Egyptian Gods, people(s) and places.
One on Gods, one on people(s), one on people(s) and places, one of places.
To provide a differing level of challenge each crossword comes with a support version with the first letter of each answer.
This resource features most of the same Gods, people(s) and places as covered in our other resources on Ancient Egypt.
The Gods covered are: Amun, Anubis, Bastet, Bes, Geb, Hathor, Horus, Isis, Khnum, Khonsu, Montu, Nut, Osiris, Ptah, Ra, Sekhmet, Seth, Tefnut, Thoth
The people(s) covered are: Alexander, Amenemhet, Amenhotep, Cleopatra, Djoser, Hyksos, Khufu, Narmer, Persians, Ptolemy, Rameses, Sheshonq, Sobekneferu
The people(s) and places covered are: Ahmose, Assyrians, Egypt, Hittites, Libyans, Lower, Mentuhotep, Nubians, Octavian, Romans, Tutankhmaun, Upper, Xerxes
The places covered are: Africa, Alexandria, Euphrates, Giza, Karnak, Libya, Lower, Mediterranean, Nile, Nubia, Pelusium, Saqqara, Thebes, Upper, Valley
They are suitable for use in class -both as a main activity and as an extension task- as well as for homework / independent study
Helps to show how political parties have had varying fortunes over the years – as well as putting the 2024 result into context (especially in terms of the government having less than half the votes).
An information sources on who has governed Britain since the late 19th century with two components:
1: A power point information presentation:
34 slides- one per election to 2024; each having a slide with two pie charts showing the percentage of vote and share of MPs elected for the main parties at each election plus a picture of the winning PM.
There is also a set of slides with line graphs showing votes for the main parties over time,
A pie chart showing the amount of time spent in power.
2: A word document
34 tables -one per election-with the data used for the pie charts on the power point (seats and votes)
A set of line graphs showing the votes for the main parties since 1918 (the first when all men-and most women-could vote).
A table showing the turnout in each election since 1918-plus a line graph.
A table showing the winners of elections and a pie chart showing time in office.
*1892 was when Keir Hardie was the first ‘Labour’ MP elected.
A wordsearch with a difference -on deserts: Antarctic Arabian Atacama Chihuahuan Gobi Kalahari Mojave Patagonian Sahara Sonoran *
However before finding the ten answers in the grid you have to use the clue to work out who the person or nation it is that you are searching for.
Each word search & quiz comes in four different versions (the answers are the same each time); providing three different levels of support/difficulty.
Each quiz has the same clues , the first version just the question but the second version has the first letter of the answer; another has the number of letters in the answer and the final one has both the first letter and number of letters.
(Answers provided as well as location in word search)
Ideal for use as a reinforcement activity for knowledge of the topic or homework task -maybe even for a staffroom challenge!
*resource created for the US market, hence the ‘bias’
Since the end of WW1 the world has never been fully at peace.
This resource is ideal for use at this time of remembrance (whilst also extending horizons to look at the wider world)
This resource shows in visual form how the past 100+ years have still been a period of ongoing conflict (despite hopes that WW1 would be the ‘war to end all wars’).
There is a selection of 50 different conflicts; a range covering civil wars, invasions and multi-national wars. The emphasis is on the post WW2 period to help support citizenship learning-in particular through helping show why there are so many refugees given the recent and on-going conflicts. (The emphasis is on the global community so wars such as the Falklands which was ‘just’ UK v an opponent are not included in this resource).
In the main presentation each slide represents one year (running through takes just over 5 minutes) with each year showing the selected conflicts taking place in that year (so some slides are rather crowded!). For each conflict the dates are given as well as one sentence about it (this only appears when the conflict begins).
There is also a power point presentation of 50 slides -one per conflict- as well as a word document with the same information.
Finally there is a set of three word searches featuring most of the nations involved in the featured conflicts.
A memory challenge using images- based on ‘Kim’s game’.
There is a set of slides each of which features 10 different pictures-that will disappear one by one so that after a minute all are gone. (there is a second slide with them all on to check after a chance to recall the images)
How many can your students remember (or you??) ; can be done as a solo challenge or in groups (useful for encouraging team work –what’s a winning strategy?) – could also be used as a staff challenge!
30 separate challenges -all on power point.
Many people know 2024 is 150 years since the birth of Winston Churchill but did you know that this year is the 500th anniversary of the death of Isma’il I (founder of Safavid Dynasty in Iran)? And the 200th anniversary of the founding of the RNLI and RSPCA?
Anniversaries 2024 is a collection of viewable/printable resources designed to promote awareness of some events whose anniversaries fall this year.
This wide-ranging pack consists of several different types of resource including visual and knowledge challenges as well as discussion stimuli (plus word searches!)
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They are all based on a selection of people and events from the past 700 years which have an anniversary in 2024.
There is a power point with a picture of each person/event from those years (one that runs through) and a separate display resource with one slide per year (some need two).
There are a range of knowledge based activities including sorting events, matching pairs, A-Z etc (provided in both power point and word format)
There are also picture based challenges (hidden picture and what is it-distorted images).
There is a set of discussion prompts to stimulate debate –again related to people or events featured.
Finally there is a set of seven word searches based on a selection of the people and places etc linked to anniversaries from 2024.
The resource that keeps on giving all year long!
A set of over 50 of the popular vocabulary-based challenge.
Each ladder has a four-letter word at the top and a different four-letter one at the bottom.
Simply change the top word into the bottom one by altering one letter at a time (so creating three new words to fit in the empty ‘rungs’)
Supplied on power point (1 ladder per slide) and in a word document (with answers separately)
Ideal for use in tutor time or as a starter/time-filler -or even as a staffroom challenge!
A simple sequencing activity to help develop chronological knowledge.
There is a list of events with dates -but events are listed alphabetically- and a blank table to enter the information into (so students need to sequence the dates first). There is also a support version which has the dates in order so students need to find the corresponding event.
The events are mostly those which feature in the linked resources on developing chronological understanding including the power point.
A wordsearch with a difference -on ‘imaginary lines’: Arctic Circle Cancer Capricorn Date Line Equator Hemisphere Latitude Longitude Meridian Poles
However before finding the ten answers in the grid you have to use the clue to work out who the person or nation it is that you are searching for.
Each word search & quiz comes in four different versions (the answers are the same each time); providing three different levels of support/difficulty.
Each quiz has the same clues , the first version just the question but the second version has the first letter of the answer; another has the number of letters in the answer and the final one has both the first letter and number of letters.
(Answers provided as well as location in word search)
Ideal for use as a reinforcement activity for knowledge of the topic or homework task -maybe even for a staffroom challenge!
A memory challenge using images- based on ‘Kim’s game’.
There is a set of slides each of which features 10 different pictures-that will disappear one by one so that after a minute all are gone. (there is a second slide with them all on to check after a chance to recall the images)
How many can your students remember (or you??) ; can be done as a solo challenge or in groups (useful for encouraging team work –what’s a winning strategy?) – could also be used as a staff challenge!
The full resource has 30 separate challenges -all on power point.
A set of linked resources and activities to help students improve their knowledge and understanding of the chronology of British history.
This is an important part of the History National Curriculum but one which often causes students difficulty.
This is a sample of a selection from a range of these resources.
These are taken from the resources focussed on KS3.
These resources are designed specifically to help students in particular with the ordering of events. To help with understanding the passage of time there is a power point presentation that shows the intervals between events.
This has a range of selected events and is designed to convey a sense of the passage of time by having the transition between slides vary in length depending on how many years actually passed between events.
Each slide has a date, event and appropriate illustration. (Each event slide is on show for five seconds and the whole presentation lasts for approximately five minutes).
As a bonus there is also a ‘click through’ version of the slide show to enable the teacher to give additional information or discuss the event with students.
The selection of events is not meant to be definitive for the study of that period (it’s a selection not a comprehensive timeline!) – this allows for an extra activity/challenge of students deciding what is missing/what could be left out.
The same events are on a word document and to help with improving knowledge there are activities which involve matching events to dates etc.
The first involves sorting set of five different events into the correct order – available on power point and word document.
The second is a set of printable ‘cards’ which can be used for sorting or matching tasks (such as the matching pairs game) – each event is on a separate ‘card’ from its date (organised in sets of 10).
The third is a set of ‘domino cards’ to provide a more supported matching challenge; each card has an event and a date that links to another event -so making a sequence of events.
There are available the following sets of resources: (KS3)
Periods in British History
Medieval Times (2 sub sets – England ; Britain and other nations)
Tudors and Stuarts (2 sub sets – Tudors ; Stuarts)
Industrial Revolution (and farming etc – 3 sub sets: 1694 to 1803; 1803 to 1846; 1851 to 1901
Britain (and the world) c1714 to c1900 (3 sub sets: Britain and the World; Politics and Reform ; Society and Culture
Britain in the 20th century (2 sub sets – Britain in the 20th century; Britain and the world)
There are also resources on KS2 topics
