This outstanding diamond 9 activity has been designed specifically to help students develop their critical thinking skills whilst studying the consequences of the Black Death on Medieval Britain. It can be used with the full spectrum of ability as a starter, plenary, revision or assessment activity, bit it is primarily designed to provide stretch and challenge for the more able. If you are looking for a main stream resource, then why not check out my card sort activity on this topic? It can be downloaded separately from my TES shop or as a bundle with this resource. When you purchase this resource you will be able to download a both a PDF and a fully editable Microsoft Word document which can be differentiated further if you wish. The resource includes nine diamond shaped cards which include a selection of ‘short’ and ‘long term’ consequences of the Black Death. 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 Black Death. 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. Once stage 3 is complete. students could then have a go at writing an extended answer on 'what were the consequences of the Black Death? The aims and objectives of this lesson are: Theme: Medieval Society Know: What changed as a result of the Black Death? Understand: What were the long and short term consequences of the Black Death? Evaluate: Which consequences were more important? WILF: What Am I Looking For? Identify and describe: What changed as a result of the Black Death? Explain: Which changes were short or long term consequences? Analyse: Which changes were more significant or important?

This outstanding resource has been designed to provide stretch and challenge for students studying reasons why Japan invaded Manchuria in 1931 -1932? The pedagogy underpinning this strategy is that when we rank items, either statements, objects or images, we are required to make explicit the over- arching relationships by which we organise our knowledge and connect our learning. It canalso be used as a starter, plenary, revision or assessment activity. If you are looking for something more suitable for lower and middle ability then please check out my card sort matching exercise on this topic. The resource includes nine diamond shaped cards which include a range of factors which explain why Japan invaded Manchuria. 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 to explain why Japan invaded Manchuria? 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 thinking skills as well as their understanding of the topic. The aims and objectives for this lesson are: Theme: Why did the League of Nations fail 1919 - 1939? Know: Why did Japan invade Manchuria 1931 - 1932? Understand: How were these factors were linked to the weaknesses of the League? Evaluate: Which factors were the most important in Japan’s decision to invade? WILF - What Am I Looking For? Identify and describe: Why Japan invaded Manchuria? Explain: How these reasons were linked to the weaknesses of the League? Analyse: Which factors were the most important in Japan’s decision to invade? 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 outstanding resource has been designed by experienced teachers to help provide stretch and challenge for students studying why the League of Nations failed to stop the Italian invasion of Abyssinia. The key pedagogy underpinning this strategy is that when we rank items, either statements, objects or images, we are required to make explicit the over- arching relationships by which we organise our knowledge and connect our learning. It can be used as a starter, plenary, revision or as a key focus for an assessment activity. The resource includes nine diamond shaped cards which include a range of factors to explain why the League of Nations failed to stop the Italian invasion of Abyssinia. 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 to explain why the League of Nations failed to stop the Italian Invasion of Abyssinia. 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 thinking skills as well as their understanding of the topic. The aims and objectives for this lesson are: Theme: Why did the League of Nations fail 1919 - 1939? Know: What sanctions did the League of Nations impose on Italy? Understand: Why did the League fail to stop the Italian invasion of Abyssinia? Evaluate: Which factors were the most important? WILF - What Am I Looking For? Identify and describe: What sanctions did the League of Nations impose on Italy? Explain: Why did the League fail to stop the Italian invasion? Analyse: Which factors were the most important it causing the League to fail? 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 outstanding diamond 9 activity has been designed by experienced teachers to help provide stretch and challenge for students studying why the League of Nations failed to stop the Japanese invasion of Manchuria. The key theory underpinning this strategy is that when we rank items, either statements, objects or images, we are required to make explicit the over- arching relationships by which we organise our knowledge and connect our learning. It can be used as a starter, plenary, revision or as a focus for an assessment activity. The resource includes nine diamond shaped cards which include a range of factors to explain why the League of Nations failed to stop the Japanese invasion of Manchuria. 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 to explain why the League of Nations failed to stop the Japanese invasion of Manchuria. 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 thinking skills as well as their understanding of the topic. The aims and objectives for this lesson are: Theme: Why did the League of Nations fail? Know: What sanctions did the League of Nations impose on Japan? Understand: Why did the League fail to stop the Japanese invasion of Manchuria? Evaluate: Which factors were the most important? WILF - What Am I Looking For? Identify and describe: What sanctions did the League of Nations impose on Japan? Explain: Why did the League fail to stop the Japanese invasion? Analyse: Which factors were the most important it causing the League to fail? 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 outstanding diamond 9 activity has been designed to provide stretch and challenge for students studying reasons why Japan invaded Manchuria in 1931 -1932? The key theory underpinning this strategy is that when we rank items, either statements, objects or images, we are required to make explicit the over- arching relationships by which we organise our knowledge and connect our learning. It can also be used as a starter, plenary, revision or as a focus for an assessment activity. If you are looking for something more suitable for lower and middle ability then please check out my card sort on this topic. The resource includes nine diamond shaped cards which include a range of factors which explain why Japan invaded Manchuria. 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 to explain why Japan invaded Manchuria? 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 thinking skills as well as their understanding of the topic. The aims and objectives for this lesson are: Theme: Why did the League of Nations fail 1919 - 1939? Know: Why did Japan invade Manchuria 1931 - 1932? Understand: How were these factors were linked to the weaknesses of the League? Evaluate: Which factors were the most important in Japan’s decision to invade? WILF - What Am I Looking For? Identify and describe: Why Japan invaded Manchuria? Explain: How these reasons were linked to the weaknesses of the League? Analyse: Which factors were the most important in Japan’s decision to invade? 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 outstanding resource has been designed to provide stretch and challenge for students studying reasons why Italy invaded Abyssinia in 1935 -35. The key theory underpinning this strategy is that when we rank items, either statements, objects or images, we are required to make explicit the over- arching relationships by which we organise our knowledge and connect our learning. It can also be used as a starter, plenary, revision or as a focus for an assessment activity. The resource includes nine diamond shaped cards which include a range of factors which explain why Italy invaded Abyssinia in 1935 - 36. 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: Remove any reasons that you don’t think are important. Record and explain why you have removed them. Arrange the remaining diamonds to show any links that you can find between the different reasons. Record and explain your reasons. Make a smaller diamond shape using the four most important reasons to explain why Italy invaded Abyssinia in 1935 -36. 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 thinking skills as well as their understanding of the topic. The aims and objectives for this lesson are: Theme: Why did the League of Nations fail 1919 - 1939? Know: Why did Italy invade Abyssinia in 1935 - 36? Understand: How were these factors were linked to the weaknesses of the League? Evaluate: Which factors were the most important in Mussolini’s decision to invade? WILF - What Am I Looking For? Identify and describe: Why Mussolini invaded Abyssinia? Explain: How these reasons were linked to the weaknesses of the League? Analyse: Which factors were the most important in Mussolini’s decision to invade? 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 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