This is a resource for students startijg the study of the USA. Students are invited to explain what the parties believe in via a serioes of pictures. they can then write definitions. Students then look at policies more carefully. They decide which are for eaach party. It can be done as a cut and stick, highlighting ar card sort activity. I prefer a card sort as it allows a ‘not sure’ pile initially. Students can idenitfy economic, social and other policies. Less able ones have a differentiated resource. there are extension questions at the bottom of each. This can lead to a debate, either straight away or following more extensive research as homeowrk or ICT facilities in lesson.

This is for KS4, and could be used at A level too. Students watch the videos to gain an insight into elements of the Black Power movement. Students then use the differentiated card sort activity to cut and stick, or complete in any other way, the venn diagram. The venn diagram categorises what attracted poorer people to Black Power, and What many people disliked about Black Power. It would be helpful to rtell students beforehand that: poorer, younger, working class black Americans were more likely to support the Black Panthers, and Black Power. Richer, older, middle class black Americans were more likely to support peaceful protest. This can lead to a class debate / extended writing / exam Q on whether Black Power was effective - either looking at it as a stand-alone, or copmparing it with prior knowledge on the peaceful Civil Rights movement.

A pair of resources, in the same document, to use on a GCSE field trip to RAF Cosford in Telford, and Hack Green Secret Nuclear Bunker near Nantwich. Questions are arranged in groups based around exhibits in the museums. Non-specialists supervising students on the trip can easily keep up with the answers.

This is a diamond 9 card sort to categorise and prioritise the reasons that Islamic medicine was different to Europe’s. As an extension, you can challenge students to explain the more / less important reasons. This can lead to a class discussion. Categories could include, but not be limited to, knowledge, doctors/surgeons, religion, care for the sick and others.

This is a diamond 9 card sort to explain why the Great Fire of London spread with such devastating consequences. Students can explain the reasons that each of the causes of the spread of the fire ere important. Students then arrange cards into the following areas: the Lord Mayor, the weather, the buildings and the fire engines. Students can prioritise and classify reasons into these factors. There is a differentiated version, without thee explanation space, for lower ability students. Students should explain what they think are the most important factors in the spread of the fire, and explain their opinons. This can lead to an extended piece of writing on the causes of the spread of the fire.

This is a card sorting resource on the development of Britain’s rule from the 1750s to 1947. There is a differentiated resource for lower ability students. Students are invited to sort the cards into categories: a) violence/war b) peaceful protest c) political power / government. Lower ability students can look at what was violent / non-violent. They then place the cards into chronological order, and can use the timeline to indicate where Britain’s rule was secure or weak. More able students can be challenged to decide how strong or weak each event showed British rule to be. Students can then answer the following questions on British India: 1. What event showed that British power was at its strongest? Why? 2. What event showed that British power was at its weakest, before 1947? Why? 3. What do you suggest about British rule in India over the years? Think of rise and fall of power. Why do you think that this was? This can lead to a class debate or piece of extended writing.

This is a whole lessons activity on the coming of canals during the Industrial Revolution. Use the powerpoint to encourage students to define the word canalmania, and to decide the biggest problems that the canalbuilders faced in the 1780s/90s. The worksheet can be done as a card sort or a cut and stick activity. Students must decide which of the pieces of information are advantages and disadvantages. They must then, as an extension, decide which relate to: a) money, b) transporting people/things, c) others. Students then answer the question on the final slide of the powerpoint. This can lead to a piece of extended writing for more able students, or as a more broken down set of answers for the less able. There is plenty of scope for discussion throughout the lesson.

This is a card sorting resource to allow students to judge the effectiveness of the NHS. Students can sort the cards into groups to do with costs, public health and other factors. Students can sort the cards into groups to do with positives and negatives. There are questions at the bottom of the sheet, for more able students, to do with the best/worst point about the NHS, and are invited to explain their own thoughts. This can lead to a piece of extended writing on the effectiveness of the NHS.

This is a resource for students to explain why the USA joined WW2. Students are presented with 7 reasons, they must explain why these made the USA join the war. There is a differentiated version with are key words to help less able students with the explanations. Students then decide which were reactions to Pearl Harbour, and which were longer term reasons. As an extension, students explain their opinion on the most important reason for the USA joining the war.

This is a diamond 9 card sort to categorise and prioritise the reasons that life in trenches was difficult. As an extension, you can challenge students to explain the more / less important reasons, and there is a further extension question for more able students. This can lead to a class discussion. Categories could include, but not be limited to, health//hygiene, time, mental health and others.

This is a card sort or diamond 9 activity designed to allow students to categorise and prioritise the effects of the Blitz. Students can use the cards to explain their thoughts on the worst effects of the Blitz, and why the Blitz failed to break British morale. As an extension, students can choose either to write as a German or British journalist, explaining a one-sided point of view on the Blitz. Categories could include, but not be limited to: Fear Death Destruction of cities

This is a card sort for the two invasion of Britain in 55BC and 54BC. Students can arrange the events in chronological order. It could be done as a card sort or numbering activity. Students can then decide the reasons why Caesar’s invasions failed. They give an explanation of each reason. More able students can reach their judgement on the key reasons for failure.

A lesson on the development of Medieval Parliament. Students begin by discussing what they know about Parliament today. They then look at information on the slides, which should be printed off and stuck around the classroom. They fill in thee activity sheet as thy look around.There are extension questions for the more able students at the end of the activity sheet. Students complete a judgemental paragraph at the end of the lesson. There is a writing frame and key words to help less able students.

Thus is a resource of KS4. Students watch the YouTube link and can discuss the effects of the fear of communism. The link contains use of a term now considered racist. Students then make a diamond 9 on the different effects of McCarthyism. This can lead to extended writing or a debate.

This is a cut and stick activity. Students must decide which of the terms relate to war guilt, reparations, military restrictions and land. There is a differentiated version for lower ability students. Students then decide on the worst of the punishments, placing themselves in the position of Germany. Students are invited to consider the extent to which the terms of the treaty met the aims of the Big Three. This can lead to a piece of extended writing on which would be the worst aspect of the Treaty, or on comparing aspects of the treaty as per GCSE high–mark questions. Videos can be used to support learning.

This worksheet allows students to explain events in Russia before and after the 1917 revolution. Students have 7 events outlined to them, and explain their own thoughts on why it was significant. Students can, as an extension, explain how these events link together and created an environment in the USSR which grew more oppressive. They can make judgements on turning points. This is an ideal activity for preparing students for longer-answer exam questions. It allows discussion to develop as students explain their thoughts and defend them in front of their peers.

This is a card sort designed to allow students to categorise reasons that Mussolini conducted the invasion of Abyssinia. More able students can use the cards to explain their thoughts on the most important reason for the invasion. It can be done as a venn diagram using the second sheet.

A card sort to show the aims of the Big Three leaders at the Treaty of Versailles. Students can use this to make a decision on why each of the leaders held these aims, and which were the more or less reasonable of the aims. More able student can explain which was the most likely to achieve an agreeable peace settlement, in the short and long term. This is an ideal activity for preparing students for longer-answer exam questions. It allows discussion to develop as students explain their thoughts and defend them in front of their peers.

A lesson on the development of thee British Empire. A blank copy of a world map is attached for a labelling exercise of the colonies of the Empire. Students complete card sorting activity on the reasons for the development of the empire. They can be challenged to come up with their own categories, or those on the table in the PowerPoint can be used. It can be done as a diamond 9 activity for more able students. There is a differentiated copy for lower-ability students. Students can decide on the key reason(s) and give their own explanation. It could also be one as a venn diagram using the venn diagram template, Finish by explaining the main trading routes, and have students draw these on their blank map.