This literacy mat can be printed off back to back in A3 colour and laminated to use with your students in lesson to help them structure their work using the correct sentence starters and connectives. The literacy mat also includes guidance on spelling, punctuation, structuring paragraphs using PEE and PEEL as well as the correct then, their and they’re. This is a must have resource for any humanities teacher. The idea of a ‘mat’ is UK idea where you stick or place a resource like this one on the desks of your students to help them structure their work and avoid common mistakes. This resource was created in partnership with Lesley Anne who also has her own TES shop so please check it out as well. Please note, it might be an idea to run this resource through your own US spell checker to avoid any common errors. E.g. we spell words like colour and neighbours slightly differently to you guys across the pond. I have posted this resource at a low price as I believe that it is a must have - give it and go and enjoy. It will impress your principle. In terms of PEE, I always get me students to structure their paragraphs using either PEE or PEEL which stands for Point - Examples - Explain - Link. 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 fantastic little speaking frame is designed to help students explain cause and effect by providing them with a series of prompts that they can use to develop their speaking and listening skills. It could be used in many different subjects from a history to science. Like all the resources in this series, its great strength is its simplicity. Please check out some of my other resources. When you download this resource, you will be able access a a fully editable single page Word document with prompts to help students describe and explain cause and effect in a speculative talk. For your convenience, I have also uploaded this file as a PDF. If you like this resource then why not check out our other resources on other areas of writing from recount, explain, discuss, debate, persuade, speculate and many more. 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 the price of a good cup of coffee so that you can spend more time doing the things that you want. All our authors are paid the living wage so when you purchase our resources you are buying into our shared values of fair play and decency. Anyway, have fun and stay in touch via social media for the latest updates. Don’t forget to check out our YouTube Channel with over 600 free videos: @historyacademy Kind Regards Roy

This free resource contains some useful phrases to help students give an exploratory or speculative talk as part of developing their speaking and listening skills. It is designed to be printed off and used as prompt sheet to help give students a range of different phrases. When you download this resource, you will be able access a fully editable 1 page Word document with sentence starters to help students speculate and explore as part of their speech writing. For your convenience, I have also uploaded this file as a PDF. If you like this resource then why not check out our other resources on other areas of writing from recount, explain, discuss, debate, persuade, speculate and many more. 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 the price of a good cup of coffee so that you can spend more time doing the things that you want. All our authors are paid the living wage so when you purchase our resources you are buying into our shared values of fair play and decency. Anyway, have fun and stay in touch via social media for the latest updates. Don’t forget to check out our YouTube Channel with over 600 free videos: @historyacademy Kind Regards Roy

This engaging and interactive card sort activity is specifically designed to help GCSE English students explore the complexities of Shakespeare’s Macbeth character. Set against the theme of disorder, confusion and order, this lesson facilitates a discussion of Macbeth’s moral dilemma and its impact on the dramatic action of the play. Key Features: Snowballing Starter: Students begin by engaging in a snowballing starter activity using key words related to Macbeth’s character. This activity encourages critical thinking and helps students establish a foundation for further exploration. Heroic and Villainous Traits: After the starter activity, students are prompted to decide which adjectives match the heroic and villainous sides of Macbeth’s character. This exercise allows students to analyse Macbeth’s motivations and actions, fostering a deeper understanding of his complex nature. **Matching Quotes: ** The main task of this lesson involves matching quotes with Macbeth’s key characteristics. By analysing key quotes from the play, students gain insight into Macbeth’s moral confusion and the disruption and disorder it creates. GCSE and A Level Focus: This lesson is suitable for both GCSE and A Level students, providing valuable insights and analysis for students at different levels of study. By using this resource, students will enhance their understanding of Macbeth’s character and the central message of the play. They will develop critical thinking skills, analyse complex themes, and strengthen their ability to interpret Shakespearean literature. When you purchase this resource you will be able to download two documents, a single page Word document and a PowerPoint. The Word document contains the various headings, statements and quotes that are to be sorted, whilst the PowerPoint contains aims, objectives, differentiated outcomes, information slides, tasks, activities, plenaries and continuums to help facilitate the lesson. Both documents have also been uploaded as PDFs. Please see the detailed preview. The aims and objectives of this lesson are: Theme: Macbeth Know: What are the key elements of Macbeth’s character? Understand: How Shakespeare uses conflict and disorder to drive the dramatic action? Evaluate: Whether Macbeth was a hero or a villain? Skills: Source Analysis, Cause, Consequence & Collaboration WILF – What Am I Looking For? Can You Describe: The key elements of Macbeth’s character? Can You Explain: How does Shakespeare use conflict and disorder to drive the dramatic action of his plays? Can You Evaluate: Was Macbeth a hero or a villain?

This fun and interactive lesson is designed to get students collaborating and investigating how comfortable was life in a Medieval Castle. The main topics covered are: feasting in the Great Hall; how did they cook? light and heat, how did they wash, toilets and shopping. The information that is gathered can be recorded in their exercise books with the graphic organisers that we have provided in the PowerPoint. In order to extend the more able, we have also included a selection of graphic organisers, as well as additional information slides on training, sleeping arrangements, religion and prayer. Once the market place activity is completed, students are given a range of options to consolidate their work including writing an extended answer to the question how comfortable was life in a Medieval castle, write a diary extract or produce a detailed mind map. We have included a wide range of additional resources, writing frames and resources to support this in the extra resources selection at the end of the PowerPoint. When you purchase this lesson you will be able to download a 36 slide PowerPoint Presentation that includes aims, objectives, differentiated outcomes, information slides, historical sources, tasks, activities, starters, plenaries, writing frames, templates, word searches and a range of SEND tasks. We have also uploaded a PDF version for your convenience. Please see the detailed preview for more information. The aims and objectives of this lesson are: Theme: Medieval Castles Know: The daily routines and activities that took place in a medieval castle? Understand: The different roles involved in helping run a castle? Evaluate: How comfortable was life in a medieval castle? Skills: Source Analysis, Cause, Consequence & Collaboration WILF – What Am I Looking For? Can You Describe: The daily routines and activities that took place in a castle? Can You Explain: The different roles and responsibilities in helping run a castle? Can You Evaluate: How comfortable was life in a medieval Castle? If you like this resource, then why not check out our other resources on similar topics in our TES shop. You can also follow ‘The History Academy’ on Instagram, X , 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 the price of a good cup of coffee so that you can spend more time doing the things that you want. All our authors are paid the living wage so when you purchase our resources you are buying into our shared values of fair play and decency. Anyway, have fun and stay in touch via social media for the latest updates. Don’t forget to check out our YouTube Channel with over 600 free videos: @historyacademy Kind Regards Roy

Delve into the arms race between Medieval castle builders and attackers with this fun and interactive Market Place Activity. Explore how these adversaries sought to outwit each other through clever design changes and innovative siege tactics. By examining the evolution of castle design and strategic maneuvers, students gain a profound understanding of the dynamic competition that shaped castle design in the Medieval period. This is then consolidated by getting students to label and plan an attack on Warkworth Castle in Northumbria, which will allow them to demonstrate and apply what they have learnt. When you purchase this resource, you will be able to download a thirty eight page PowerPoint Presentation. It includes aims, objectives, differentiated outcomes, starters, plenaries, tasks, activities, information slides, historical sources, pictures, diagrams, writing frames, templates, feedback sheets and a homework exercise. Once students have completed the Market Place Activity, they can complete a demonstrate and apply task on Warkworth Castle or you can choose from the wide range of additional activities that have been included in the extra resources section, including heads and tails, word search and extended writing tasks. Everything is fully supported and designed so that you can easily customise this lesson for your students, please see the detailed preview for more information. The aims and objectives of this lesson are: Theme: Medieval Castles Know: How Medieval castle defences developed to stop attackers? Understand: How attackers adapted to get around the new defences? Evaluate: The strengths and weaknesses of various types of castle? Skills: Source Analysis, Cause, Consequence, Change and Continuity WILF – What Am I Looking For? Can You Describe: How castles defences developed to stop attackers? Can You Explain: How attackers adapted to get around the new defences? Can You Evaluate: The strengths and weaknesses of various types of castles? If you like this resource then why not check out our other resources on similar topics in our TES shop. You can also follow ‘The History Academy’ on Instagram, X , 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 the price of a good cup of coffee so that you can spend more time doing the things that you want. All our authors are paid the living wage so when you purchase our resources you are buying into our shared values of fair play and decency. Anyway, have fun and stay in touch via social media for the latest updates. Don’t forget to check out our YouTube Channel with over 600 free videos: @historyacademy Kind Regards Roy

This fun and engaging lesson on Magna Carta gets students to assess its historical significance to the development of democracy. It begins with a selection of starters, before introducing the problems that King John faced during his reign, including his growing unpopularity. This is consolidated through a classification exercise, using a printed summary sheet, that students can stick into their books, before writing a couple of sentences to explain why different people were angry with the king. The lesson then moves onto the events that led up to King John being forced to sign Magna Carta in 1215, its terms and a source based task that analyzes its historical significance using a weighting scales graphic organizer. This exercise looks at short and long term factors which are linked to the English Civil War, American Revolution and the UN Declaration of Human Rights. The lesson then rounds off with a post-it note voting continuum exercise. However, we have included a range of additional activities in the extra resources section; including writing frames and templates to help students scaffold an extended answer on Magna Carta’s historical significance. We have also included in a range of alternative templates for students to write and produce their own version of Magna Carta for homework. When you purchase this lesson you will be able to download a 30-slide PowerPoint Presentation and an accompanying three-page worksheet in Word format. Both have also been uploaded as PDFs. The PowerPoint includes aims, objectives, differentiated objectives, starters, plenaries, information slides, graphic organizers, historical sources, tasks, activities, video links, templates, and writing frames. The accompanying worksheet mirrors the PP and is designed to help accompany the lesson. Please see the detailed preview for further information. The aims and objectives of this lesson are: Theme: Medieval society and the origins of Parliament Know: The key events that led to King John signing Magna Carta in 1215? Understand: Why the barons rebelled against King John? Evaluate: The historical significance of Magna Carta to the development of democracy? Skills: Change, Continuity, Cause, Consequence and American Values WILF – What Am I Looking For? Can You Describe: The key events that led to King John signing Magna Carta in 1215? Can You Explain: Why King John was so unpopular with his people? Can You Evaluate: The historical significance to the development of democracy?

This fun and engaging lesson on Magna Carta has be fine tuned in the classroom over many years. It begins with a selection of starters, before introducing the problems that King John faced during his reign, including his growing unpopularity. This is consolidated through a classification exercise, using a printed summary sheet, that students can stick into their books, before writing a couple of sentences to explain why different people were angry with the king. The lesson then moves onto the events that led up to King John being forced to sign Magna Carta in 1215, its terms and a source based task that analyses its historical significance using a weighting scales graphic organiser. The lesson then rounds off with a post-it note voting continuum exercise. However, we have included a range of additional activities in the extra resources section; including writing frames and templates to help students scaffold an extended answer on Magna Carta’s historical significance. We have also included in a range of alternative templates for students to write and produce their own version of Magna Carta for homework. When you purchase this lesson you will be able to download a 30 slide PowerPoint Presentation and an accompanying three page worksheet in Word format. Both have also been uploaded as PDFs. The Powerpoint includes aims, objectives, differentiated objectives, starters, plenaries, information slides, graphic organisers, historical sources, tasks, activities, video links, templates and writing frames. The accompanying worksheet mirrors the PP and is designed to help accompany the lesson. Please seet the detailed preview for further information. The aims and objectives of this lesson are: Theme: Medieval society and the origins of Parliament Know: The key events that led to King John signing Magna Carta in 1215? Understand: Why the barons rebelled against King John? Evaluate: The historical significance of Magna Carta to the development of democracy? Skills: Change, Continuity, Cause, Consequence, SMSC & British Values WILF – What Am I Looking For? Can You Describe: The key events that led to King John signing Magna Carta in 1215? Can You Explain: Why King John was so unpopular with his people? Can You Evaluate: The historical significance to the development of democracy?

This card sort is great way to get students to sort through the causes and consequences of the murder of Thomas Becket. It is designed to fit around any main stream text book or video on this topic and provides differentiated support for lower and middle ability students. Students are given eight cards with the causes and consequences mixed up and two headings labelled causes and consequences. This should take a core group no more than 10 minutes before feeding back and then sticking their cards into their books, whereas a low ability group might take 15 minutes. The process can be speeded up by getting students to create a key, rather than curring out the cards and then sticking the sheet into their books. This active learning activity makes a great starter, mini plenary and plenary. When you purchase this activity, you will be able to download a single page Word document, which can be edited to suit your own students. I would personally read a text book, worksheet or watch a video clip before attempting the activity. I have also included a straightforward six slide PowerPoint to help facilitate the card sort, it includes aims, objectives, differentiated outcomes, two starters, one plenary, an activity page, a video link and a template. If you are looking for a Worksheet and Powerpoint to accompany this lesson, then check out this link on our TES shop: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-13021853 The aims and objectives of this lesson would be: Know: Why did Henry II and Thomas Becket quarrel? Understand: What were the short and long term consequences of the quarrel? Evaluate: The causes and consequences of Thomas Becket’s murder? Skills: Change, Continuity, Cause, Consequence & Collaboration WILF – What Am I Looking For? Can You Describe: Why did Henry II and Archbishop Becket quarrel? Can You Explain: Why there was a power struggle between Church and State? Can You Evaluate: The causes and consequences of Thomas Becket’s death? If you like this resource, then why not check out our other resources on similar topics in our TES shop. You can also follow ‘The History Academy’ on Instagram, X , 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 the price of a good cup of coffee so that you can spend more time doing the things that you want. All our authors are paid the living wage so when you purchase our resources you are buying into our shared values of fair play and decency. Anyway, have fun and stay in touch via social media for the latest updates. Don’t forget to check out our YouTube Channel with over 600 free videos: @historyacademy Kind Regards Roy

This card sort is great way to get students to sort through the causes and consequences of the death of Thomas Becket in 1170. It is designed to fit around any text book or video on this topic and provides support for lower and middle ability students. Students are given eight cards with the causes and consequences mixed up and two headings labelled causes and consequences. This should take a core group no more than 10 minutes before feeding back and then sticking their cards into their books, whereas a low ability group might take 15 minutes. The process can be speeded up by getting students to create a key, rather than curring out the cards and then sticking the sheet into their books. This active learning activity makes a great starter, mini plenary and plenary. When you purchase this activity, you will be able to download a single page Word document, which can be edited to suit your own students. I would personally read a text book, worksheet or watch a video clip before attempting the activity. I have also included a basic six slide PowerPoint to help facilitate the card sort, it includes aims, objectives, differentiated outcomes, two starters, one plenary, an activity page, a video link and a template. If you are looking for a Worksheet and Powerpoint to accompany this lesson, then check out this link on our TES shop: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-13021853 The aims and objectives of this lesson would be: Know: Why did Henry II and Thomas Becket quarrel? Understand: What were the short and long term consequences of the quarrel? Evaluate: The causes and consequences of Thomas Becket’s murder? Skills: Change, Continuity, Cause, Consequence & Collaboration WILF – What Am I Looking For? Can You Describe: Why did Henry II and Archbishop Becket quarrel? Can You Explain: Why there was a power struggle between Church and State? Can You Evaluate: The causes and consequences of Thomas Becket’s death? If you like this resource, then why not check out our other resources on similar topics in our TES shop. You can also follow ‘The History Academy’ on Instagram, X , 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 the price of a good cup of coffee so that you can spend more time doing the things that you want. All our authors are paid the living wage so when you purchase our resources you are buying into our shared values of fair play and decency. Anyway, have fun and stay in touch via social media for the latest updates. Don’t forget to check out our YouTube Channel with over 600 free videos: @historyacademy Kind Regards Roy

This fun and interactive lesson is designed to help students understand the causes and consequences of the murder of Thomas Becket in 1170. It is aimed at middle and low ability students and includes a wide range of differentiated tasks to help support and deepen students understanding of the topic. The lesson begins by setting the scene for Becket’s friendship with Henry II and why he was a trusted advisor, before moving onto the reasons why they argued and the short and long term consequences of the murder in the cathedral. The lesson is consolidated through a selection of optional activities including a story board, timeline continuum of the up and downs of Thomas Becket, questions and a card sort on the causes and consequences of Becket’s murder. When you purchase this lesson, you will be able to download a twenty seven slide PowerPont Presentation and three page supporting worksheet and a single page card sort. The PowerPoint contains aims, objectives, differentiated outcomes, starters, plenaries, information slides, historical sources, questions, heads and tails, continuum, storyboard and word search activities. The word search is designed to support the PowerPoint and mirrors the key information and sources that the students will need to complete the menu of differentiated activities and tasks. Please see the detailed preview below. If you are looking for an indepth analysis with support for why they quarrelled and how it was linked into the broader themes of the conflict between church and state, then please see this resource on our TES shop: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-13021780 The aims and objectives of this lesson is: Know: Why did Henry II and Thomas Becket quarrel? Understand: What were the short and long term consequences of the quarrel? Evaluate: The causes and consequences of Thomas Becket’s murder? Skills: Change, Continuity, Cause, Consequence & Collaboration WILF – What Am I Looking For? Can You Describe: Why did Henry II and Archbishop Becket quarrel? Can You Explain: Why there was a power struggle between Church and State? Can You Evaluate: The causes and consequences of Thomas Becket’s death? If you like this resource, then why not check out our other resources on similar topics in our TES shop. You can also follow ‘The History Academy’ on Instagram, X , 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 the price of a good cup of coffee so that you can spend more time doing the things that you want. All our authors are paid the living wage so when you purchase our resources you are buying into our shared values of fair play and decency. Anyway, have fun and stay in touch via social media for the latest updates. Don’t forget to check out our YouTube Channel with over 600 free videos: @historyacademy Kind Regards Roy

This fun and interactive lesson is thoughtfully crafted to deepen students’ understanding of the conflict between Henry II and Thomas Becket in 1164. Building upon our previous exploration of Henry II’s character, this lesson delves into the conflict between the Church and the State, setting the stage for Magna Carta and the evolution of these relationships culminating in the era of Henry VIII. The quarrel is divided up into two stages and the extended answer is fully supported with missing word activities and PEEL writing frames. The consolidation task offers students a dynamic learning experience through three color-coded columns, each presenting a range of tasks tailored to provide choice and appropriate challenge and differentiation. These tasks include a word search, inventive storyboarding, interactive heads and tails game, thought-provoking continuum task, card sorting activity, timeline construction, and a reflective concluding paragraph for their extended essay. This multifaceted approach, aims to foster critical thinking, creativity and a deeper understanding of the key events. When you download this lesson you will be able to access a thirty nine slide PowerPoint, a four page worksheet and a single page card sort. The PowerPoint contains aims, objectives, differentiated outcomes, tasks, activities, templates, information slides, historical sources and writing frames. The worksheet mirrors the PowerPoint. The card sort has two headings, cause and consequences of Thomas Becket’s murder and twelve information cards to be sorted. Everything has also been uploaded as a PDF. Please see the detailed preview. The aims and objectives of this lesson are: Know: Why Henry II and Thomas Becket quarreled? Understand: the power struggle between church and state in the Middle Ages? Evaluate: Who was responsible for the quarrel between Becket and Henry II? Skills: Source Analysis, Cause, Consequence & Collaboration WILF – What Am I Looking For? Can You Describe: Why Henry II and Archbishop Becket quarrelled? Can You Explain: Why there was a power struggle between Church and State? Can You Evaluate: Who was responsible for the quarrel between Becket & Henry II? If you like this resource, then why not check out our other resources on similar topics in our TES shop. You can also follow ‘The History Academy’ on Instagram, X , 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 the price of a good cup of coffee so that you can spend more time doing the things that you want. All our authors are paid the living wage so when you purchase our resources you are buying into our shared values of fair play and decency. Anyway, have fun and stay in touch via social media for the latest updates. Don’t forget to check out our YouTube Channel with over 600 free videos: @historyacademy Kind Regards Roy