This lesson explores the Christian attitudes towards war and looks at the Just War Theory. It allows pupils to explore the apparent contradiction in religion (‘Thou shall not kill’) with the Chrsitan support for wars. It is an interstimng lesson full of activities that gets pupils to empathise, but also reflect on what they value and what they believe to be true. An interesting, fast paced and challenging lesson.

This lesson explores the Just War theory and looks at several case studies to consider whether or not the War was justified (e.g. WW2, Vietnam, Gulf War etc.) It challenges pupils to apply the criteria set out to determin whether or not these wars (or any war) is justified. It also asks questions about the greater good, human rights and the value of life. A really interesting lesson.

An interesting lesson that looks at the different causes of war and conflict. This is a useful lesson as it helps students to consider the different causes and assess how justifed most wars really are. It looks at why individuals go to war, and contrasts this as to why countries go to war. It also looks at a recent case study (Syria). It asks the students to think about what war is really like, why does war still exist and what can we do to end war.

This lesson looks at the issues of Forgiveness and Reconciliation in two religions (Christianity and Islam). It uses religious quotes and teachings to explain what both relgions teach about Forgiveness and Reconciliation. It allows the pupils to compare and contrast two contrasting religions and see if there are more silimarities or differences between the two. This lesson is quite extensive and can be completed over two hours (or one lesson and a homework). An interesting and important lesson.

This is a terrific lesson that challenges the pupils to create their own brand new religion. The lesson can be used as a stand alone lesson, or as part of the ‘Alternative Religions’ SoW. The lesson sets up an imaginary world where they get the opportunity to create their own unique religion based on what they have learned from their R.S. lessons. They work in groups to complete this task, and then present it to the class. The groups will then evaluate each others presentations and relgions (for some peer assessment). This lesson could be one, two or even three lessons.

This geography lesson gets the students to think about what a place actually is. It is designed to kick off a year 7 or 8 unit looking at geographical skills. The students are asked to consider: -What makes a place -What their place is like -What the difference between human and physical geography is. An excellent lesson.

This lesson get the students to explore the Islamic teachings about the use of drugs and alcohol. It uses different teachings from the Quran to explain why Muslims have the attitudes they do towards drugs and alcohol. The students will also be asked to consider whether or not these views should still be held today, and if not what the counter arguments could be. A good lesson to highlight student attitudes and misconceptions.

“THIS IS AN AMAZING LESSON” This is one of the of the most memorable lessons the students will study about Nazi Germany. It is both interesting and fun in equal measure. This is really two lessons (or a double) that covers the changing role of women in Nazi Germany before the war, during the 1930s and in WW2. Lesson 1 - contains a lot of information about Nazi policies towards women including a ‘True or False’ Quiz, some sources from leading Nazis and an exam question with a mark scheme. Lesson 2 - The real fun is in lesson two where the students will have to work as a team to draw the perfect Nazi women. They do so by passing their drawings along every 30 seconds and adding to each others drawings. It is a fun, interesting, memorable lesson that the students will be talking about long after the lesson is finished. Download these lessons! Seriously you won’t regret it. :-)

This lesson covers the Golden Age in Germany from 1923 to 1929 under Gustav Stresemann. It explains the key treaties signed in that period, why they were important and what their impact was both short and long term. It also has a clever device that will aid pupils in their revision of this period. A useful and interesting lesson.

This GCSE History lesson explores the Nazi Economic policies and evaluates how successful they were. It was created for a lesson observation and earned an outstanding rating (when they still gave ratings!) The resources include a starter, a plenary, sources, a table, a powerpoint and two possible assessments. An interesting and strong lesson.

This Anti-Racism assembly or tutor time presentation is a very popular and highly effective assembly looking at the root causes of racism. It also highlights why racism is ridiculous and what we can do about it. It highlights many of the major stories in the world today (from Brexit to Megxit to Trump to the refugee crisis) to show how they all have a racist background (You may wish to update this slide with the latest stories of the day, but that is up to you). The assembly also looks at DNA and how we are all interconnected in ways we aren’t full aware of. This include a fantastic video which explains our DNA journey. It includes tips on how to combat racism and quotes about race (from Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King) A thought provoking but really interesting assembly.

This is a Loop revision activity for Medicine Through Time. It works on the same principle as flash cards, but the key words on one side don’t match the definition on the other side. In order to complete the Loop they need to find the student who has the key word that matches their definition (read the instructions below). It is a really fun activity that I mainly use for revision but can be used as a starter, a plenary or a fun activity. Instructions for use: 1 - Download and Print off the sheets. 2 - Cut around the outside edge of all the cards. 3 - Fold over the cards in the middle and glue them so on one side you have key words and on the other side you have definitions. 4 - Laminate the sheets (optional) 5 - Cut out the individual cards. 6 - Give out ALL the cards (at least one per person) 7 - Choose a random student to read out their definition, the rest of the class listen and whoever has the correct key word SHOUT IT OUT! 8 - This second student then flips over their card and reads aloud their definition. 9 - You keep going until you complete the loop and get back to the first student TIP 1 - To make it more effective and more competitive you should time each successful loop and post the times. Get the students to compete to try to beat their past times and other classes times. TIP 2 - Want to make it more difficult? Make the students swap cards every time someone makes a mistake or every time someone calls out. That way they will follow the rules and be forced to learn all the cards.

This is a Loop revision activity for Nazi Germany. It works on the same principle as flash cards, but the key words on one side don’t match the definition on the other side. In order to complete the Loop they need to find the student who has the key word that matches their definition (read the instructions below). It is a really fun activity that I mainly use for revision but can be used as a starter, a plenary or a fun activity. Instructions for use: 1 - Download and Print off the sheets. 2 - Cut around the outside edge of all the cards. 3 - Fold over the cards in the middle and glue them so on one side you have key words and on the other side you have definitions. 4 - Laminate the sheets (optional) 5 - Cut out the individual cards. 6 - Give out ALL the cards (at least one per person) 7 - Choose a random student to read out their definition, the rest of the class listen and whoever has the correct key word SHOUT IT OUT! 8 - This second student then flips over their card and reads aloud their definition. 9 - You keep going until you complete the loop and get back to the first student TIP 1 - To make it more effective and more competitive you should time each successful loop and post the times. Get the students to compete to try to beat their past times and other classes times. TIP 2 - Want to make it more difficult? Make the students swap cards every time someone makes a mistake or every time someone calls out. That way they will follow the rules and be forced to learn all the cards.

This assembly or tutor time presentation covers the history of anti-semitism and the reason why HMD was established. It includes a script (in the notes under each slide and in a seperate document) which explains each slide clearly but in some detail. It covers the 2023 HMD theme ‘Ordinary People’ and covers its relevance in the world today. The presentation looks at the reasons for anti-semitism and how this racism was turned from prejudice, to discrimination, to persecution, to genocide. It also looks at more recent genocides in the 20th and 21st centuries, and discusses why people still hold racist attitudes and ideas today. It finishes by looking at what we can do to combat racism in our every day lives. A really interesting, well presented and well made assembly.

This is an outstanding assembly and has proven to be perhaps my most memorable and most popular assembly. It has been designed to encourage the students to break out of their comfort zone and take a chance on something new. It was originally created for year 11 students to challenge them to try revising for their GCSE exams, but it would work just as well with other year groups and for other topics. This assembly does involve a lot of preparation before hand, but it is worth it when you get the reaction from the students afterwards! It essentially involves the teacher eating dog food to prove a point! (like all good magicians there is a trick involved with this!) This has consistently proven to be a roaring success at every school I have presented it at, and it remains my most memorable assembly. This assembly can be adapted and modifed to make it ‘safer’, but I would highly recommend following the instructions and well… taking a risk on trying something new! If you use this assembly, please leave a comment!

This fascinating lesson introduces students to the Jehovah’s Witness faith. It looks at myths and facts about Jehovah’s Witnesses, teaching the students about their background, history, beliefs, traditions and way of life. The students will take part in a treasure hunt to find the answer to questions, and compare Jehovah’s witnesses to Christianity. A really fun and interesting lesson full of interesting resources. I have also included teachers notes for anyone unfamiliar with this faith.

This assembly addresses the gun epidemic in the USA, by looking at: -The history of guns in the USA -The causes of the gun problem -The NRA -Trump and the Republican party And causes for optimism for the future. It was written in the aftermath of the Parkland School Shooting but is just as applicable to any mass shooting in the USA (update in light of the tragic 2022 school shooting at Robb Elementry school). This is a well presented, well research, topical and very interesting assembly that covers the gun debate in some detail.

Here is a really interesting assembly for 2018 about Halloween. It cover history, traditions, customs, facts, and how to stay safe. If is an interactive assembly and asks the audience to participate (in a Q & A and a True or False Quiz). It also has an amusing section looking at celebrity fancy dress costumes and Jimmy Kimmel’s ‘We ate all your candy’ video. A fun and interesting assembly. Highly recommended for assembly or form time.

This is a useful look at an example of colonialism. It investigates why Britain would want to colonise India and what the impact was on both countries as a result of this imperialism. The students need to become ‘experts’ in one areas of this debate, and then teach the other students what they have learned. A good stand alone lesson, or it can be used as part of a SoW on either colonialism or the Industrial Revolution. It is also important to help the students to consider the long term ramifications of colonialism on Indiad development and why it still matters today.

Was colonialism good for India? While the question might seem obvious the students will be asked to use their critical thinking skills to investigate sources of information. They will be asked to consider why so many people in India still debate whether colonialism was actually a net positive for Indian development. That is the central question at the heart of this excellent lesson the encourages students to learn the history of India and try to identify the positive and negative contributions Britain made. Well worth a look!