A two lesson activity focussing on reasons behind executing (or not) Mary, Queen of Scots. Pupils learn the ingredients of successful persuasive writing and use this knowledge to assess and analyse a version of President Trump's inauguration speech in January 2017. Pupils self/peer assess their speeches using colour and the success criteria. NB: All images used have been obtained from free clipart sites.

Introducing Year 7 pupils to the concept of interpretations. This simple resource gets pupils to look at two differing interpretations of William the Conqueror and select evidence that could back up both opinions. Extended tasks gets pupils to consider how background influences and purpose can also impact on interpretations. Task is designed to assist pupils in attaining L5/L6 in interpretations of history (follow the ppt slide with the two colums and copy/complete tasks. Enjoy.

A resource looking at the reasons for Scotland's victory over the English in 1314. Differentiated tasks.

An historical enquiry into what really happened to Wat Tyler in June 1381. Pupils have to sift through 7 pieces of evidence (which tend to contradict in places) and work out what really happened to Tyler in Smithfield. There is also an activity to assess pupil understanding of source reliability and utility. The end product is to write a report about 1. What they think happened to Wat Tyler, and 2. How useful and reliable were the 7 selected sources for the enquiry. Enjoy!

A resource looking at the various causes of the Rebecca Riots.

An activity to develop pupils PEE skills (Point, Evidence, Explain). Pupils draft a PEE answer to consider the factors that enables his victory. Pupils analyse and explain the most important factor, before writing an extended answer on the topic.

A two lesson pack (L1 and L2 on the ppt). L1 - Why did Henry VIII want the Acts of Union? A task where pupils consider the different factors behind wanting the Acts. Pupils show their understanding by annotating the factor wheel after categorising the information on the worksheet. Pupils must also consider which factor was the most important (using the PEE formula). L2 - What were the effects of the Acts of Union? A market place activity where pupils find the different effects the Acts have (e.g. on how Wales was governed, how lawlessness was tackled, opportunities and impact on culture). Pupils should also consider if the Acts were a good thing for Wales.

An activity to help students understand the underlying causes behind the Anglo-Welsh Wars of the late C13th. This looks at the reasons for the deteriorating relationship between Llywelyn ap Gruffydd and Edward I, the aims of both men, their reasons for wanting war, the course of both wars, and the consequences of Llywelyn’s death in December 1282 (i.e. how Edward conquered Wales). The ppt is basically a walk through of the card resources with visuals and some additional info. I’ve designed this as one of my Controlled Assessments Tasks (WJEC) and therefore have added 14 sources for students to choose 5 in order to evaluate. These may be of use for developing utility questions from Year 7 upwards (but you’ll have to adapt and simplify). Enjoy!

An Historical Enquiry task. Pupils analyse the reliability of 6 pieces of evidence put forward during the trial of Dic Penderyn. Pupils then determine whether Dic Penderyn was guilty or innocent for the crime he was accused of committing. To conclude, pupils write a letter to the Home Secretary to suggest the reasons for (or against) the idea of granting Dic Penderyn a posthumous pardon.

A number of resources looking at the causes, course and consequences of the October Revolution. Revision activities and two possible exam questions.

An activity looking at the factors behind the Merthyr Rising of 1831 - labelling a picture, factor wheel annotation etc. A second task is a sequencing activity where pupils create a visual timeline of the main events during the rising.

A simple comprehension resource looking at the causes of the Wars of Independence from the death of Alexander III to the Battle of Dunbar. Pupils to elicit information and consider the most important parts of the narrative, and create a 12 scene cartoon strip.

As the highest ranking officer to die at the Battle of Waterloo, Picton was considered a hero within the British Army. In 1916, a statue was erected in his honour in Cardiff’s Marble Hall for Welsh heroes, but many consider his inclusion an insult. This task asks pupils to assess the life and achievements of Thomas Picton, and consider whether or not his statue should be amongst such notable individuals as Hywel Dda, Giraldus Cambrensis and Owain Glyndwr.

A Venn diagram activity to assess whether Elizabeth achieved a Middle Way in her Religious Settlement. Quick assessment to check pupil understanding of the changing religious scene between Henry VII and Mary I.

An information quest activity to help pupils locate and identify the key features of a traditional mosque. Pupils have a numbered diagram of mosque features, and have to work out their names and their significance/importance to Muslims. Other interactive activities included.

A 2 lesson resource looking at the long term and short term causes of the Glyndwr Rebellion against Henry IV. Elements of Bloom's taxonomy are incorporated into the various activities (progression in difficulty/skill used). Also elements of literacy and numeracy. First task: pupils to look at the famous statue in Corwen, and elicit interpretations about the figure. Second task: pupils to watch a short hyperlinked clip to see if they can answer 4 basic questions about Glyndwr. (Bloom's Recall) Third task: pupils to look at the various grievances in Wales (and personal factors regarding Glyndwr), and categorise them into SPEAR factors. (Bloom's Understanding and Analysis) Fifth task: pupils consider the most important reason(s) why Glyndwr and the Welsh rebelled, and explain whether or not Glyndwr was a reluctant rebel. (Bloom's Evaluate) Final task: this one is up to you, and could cover Bloom's Create. Hope you'll find this useful! Enjoy! Fourth task: pupils then translate the above information into a 9 part factor wheel (e.g. beliefs and ideas, media, poverty, religious etc.), annotating the wheel with at least one important example for the relevant factors. (Bloom's Applying)

A number of resources looking at the various domestic policies (economic, religious and social) introduced by Mussolini's government between 1922 and 1939. Revision activities and possible exam questions included.

A fun activity looking at the creation of the UK, and the evolution of the Union Jack.

A task to develop pupils skills of understanding how and why different interpretations are formed when looking at individuals in History. The full powerpoint is self-explanatory, with structured tasks to help enable pupils to reach at least L6+. This task has been successful, and enabled many low-to-middle ability pupils to hit higher levels. Enjoy!

Two resources looking at the status of Black Americans in the 1930s. Topics covered include: Segregation (Jim Crow Laws etc.) Intimidation (by the KKK) Discrimination Impact of the Wall Street Crash and the New Deal. Included are some GCSE style questions.