A simple five-page Powerpoint presentation that includes questions on the rise and effects of the caudillos in post-independent Latin America. The questions could be used as discussion prompts, either with a whole class or in small groups. Alternatively, the questions could be used as writing assignments (the original intent). The file is easily convertible to PDF format.

A three-page Powerpoint presentation that contains an exercise asking students to decide which historical data would be most relevant to deciding why Hitler rose to power. Then students are presented with various quotes from Ranke, Marx and Carlyle and are asked to discuss which theory of history best explains human progress. The third page asks students to discuss the role of emotion in shaping history.

A Powerpoint presentation that includes a simple exercise that asks students to solve a mystery of someone who has woken up with amnesia. Students use clues to try to draw conclusions, which can then be discussed and analyzed. The activity could be done in small groups or as a whole class. The subsequent slides contain discussion prompts, which could also be used as writing assignments, on the nature of history as an academic subject. The file is easily convertible to PDF format if you choose to use it as a handout.

A four-page Powerpoint presentation that asks students to work in groups in a “Algonquin Round Table” type format to discuss why the US-Mexican dispute erupted into war when the Oregon Territory dispute did not. Students then discuss their findings as a whole class. The exercise allows for a discussion of the time period but also an abstract debate about why and how war can be caused from political conflict. The file is easily convertible to PDF format in case you choose to use it as a handout. There is also a writing assignment included on the causes and effects of the Mexican-American War.

A four-page Powerpoint presentation that starts off asking students to discuss in small groups any revolution they have studied and why it was successful. This then bridges to a whole class discussion on the ingredients of a successful revolution. The second slide is a quote from Prof. Robert Dix where he claims successful revolutions require the support of the upper class. Students discuss this also. The final slide asks students to look at the revolt in Mexico of Father Miguel Hidalgo and to assess why it failed. The discussion prompt given suggests Hidalgo’s revolt failed due to incompetent military leadership. The last slide was originally used as a writing assignment. The file is easily convertible to PDF format if you choose to use it as a hard-copy handout.

A Powerpoint presentation file that contains two pages, one with a spider diagram that requires students to fill in the various causes of the Wars of Independence in Latin America. The second page is a prompt that could be used either as a lead-in to a class discussion or as a writing assignment. The file is easily convertible to PDF if you choose to use it as a handout. The activity was originally designed for use with a pre-IB Grade 10 class, but it could suit a variety of levels. Links and suggested resources are included!

A four-page Powerpoint file that starts off with a simple discussion prompt on the key concept of independence. This is followed by a prompt designed as a research and writing assignment, that asks students to discuss why the nations of Latin America achieved independence. This part could be done as a whole class or in small groups. The second activity is a T-Chart organizer that requires students to categorize the effects of Latin American independence into those which were positive and those which were negative for Latin America. The file is easily convertible to PDF format if you choose to use it as a hard-copy handout. The activity was originally designed for a pre-IB Grade 10 class but it could be suitable for any high school grade level.

A simple question sequence assignment in Powerpoint format that was originally used with a pre-IB Grade 10 class, but could be used for any high school grade. The lesson begins by asking students to brainstorm populism and what it means. Students are asked to research the causes and impact of populist leaders in Latin America, culminating in a question asking students to assess the impact of these leaders, such as Juan Perón. The assignment could be used with various online resources, such as the appropriate Wikipedia pages or with the OUP IB History of the Americas Course Companion book. The file is easily convertible to PDF format if you choose to use it as a hard-copy handout.

This is a 5-page PowerPoint presentation for teachers who need to teach Castro’s Cuba in a short amount of time (2-3 Lessons). It could also serve as a revision exercise if you have previously covered Cuba and want to briefly revise it before exams. The first page is a group activity to solicit what students already know about Castro. This is followed by a timeline exercise on Castro’s rise to power. This is following by a single discussion/writing prompt about Castro’s methods in ruling Cuba. This exercise was originally used with a pre-IB Grade 10 (Year 11) class, but could easily suit other grade levels. The activities can be used as individual activities or in small groups.

A one lesson PowerPoint presentation that begins with a discussion on the concept of dictatorship. This is followed by two video clips, each with a different perspective on the Nicaraguan Revolution. Continuing on, a simple question sequence assignment on the causes and effects of the Nicaraguan Revolution. Ideal if you wish to include this topic but can’t spend multiple days on it in class. The assignment is meant to be completed using various online resources, all of which are linked on the last slide. Originally this assignment was created for a pre-IB Grade 10 (Year 11) class, but it could be suitable for any high school grade.

A three-page PowerPoint presentation that was originally created for a pre-IB Grade 10 (Year 11) class but could be used for any high school grade. Students read two different quotes of the War of 1812, one from a US perspective, one from a Canadian perspective and are asked to discuss in small groups why there are different accounts of the same events. This activity is then used to bridge to a whole class discussion on the creation of national histories and myths. The lesson concludes with an individual writing assignment on the role of the War of 1812 in building Canadian nationhood.

A simple question sequence assignment made in PowerPoint format on the early threats to the Weimar Republic, more specifically the Spartacist Uprising and the Kapp Putsch. The key pedagogical objective is to highlight the weakness of the Weimar Republic in its early years and how it relied on the support and help of others, namely the Berlin trade unions and the Freikorps for its survival. The questions can be used as discussion prompts if you choose and the file is easily convertible to PDF format if you wish to use it as a hard-copy handout. The assignment was originally designed for use with a Year 10 class but could be adapted and used for other grade levels.

A simple question sequence assignment done in PowerPoint format that was originally used with a Year 10 class. The questions focus on the founding of the NSDAP and the Beer Hall Putsch and thus are intended to have students learn about Hitler’s change from revolutionary to legal tactics. Online resources are linked, but this assignment could easily be used with an appropriate textbook, such as Ben Walsh’s Modern World History written for the GCSE course.

A six-page PowerPoint presentation that covers the causes of the 1837 Rebellions in Canada. The file begins with a class discussion on the key concept of responsible government. The lesson continues with a simple map exercise to acquaint students with the location of Upper and Lower Canada and the term Responsible Government. There are then a question sequence that covers the various causes and the lesson culminates in a discussion centered around the ongoing historical debate over whether the Rebellions were two parts of a larger movement or two separate events. The file is easily convertible to PDF format if you choose to use it as a hard-copy handout. The lesson was originally planned for a pre-IB Grade 10 class but could be used with any high school grade level.

A simple question sequence assignment made in PowerPoint format on the early threats to the Weimar Republic, more specifically the Spartacist Uprising and the Kapp Putsch. The key pedagogical objective is to highlight the weakness of the Weimar Republic in its early years and how it relied on the support and help of others, namely the Berlin trade unions and the Freikorps for its survival. The questions can be used as discussion prompts if you choose and the file is easily convertible to PDF format if you wish to use it as a hard-copy handout. The assignment was originally designed for use with a 9th Grade class but could be adapted and used for other grade levels.

A four-page PowerPoint file on the aftermath of the 1837 Rebellions and the fight for Responsible Government in Canada. The file contains a discussion question followed by a simple question sequence assignment. Links to online resources are included. Ideal for anyone teaching about Canada’s path to confederation. The file is easily convertible to PDF format if you choose to use it as a hard-copy handout. The file was originally created for a pre-IB Grade 10 class but could be used with any high school grade level.

A simple question sequence assignment done in PowerPoint format that was originally used with a 9th Grade class. The questions focus on the founding of the NSDAP and the Beer Hall Putsch and thus are intended to have students learn about Hitler’s change from revolutionary to legal tactics. Online resources are linked, but this assignment could easily be used with an appropriate textbook, such as Ben Walsh’s Modern World History written for the GCSE course.

A two lesson activity beginning with a small group discussion on the role of economic sanctions and whether sanctions themselves constitute a human rights violation. Students then do further research with articles and YouTube clips, all of which are linked in the PowerPoint to eventually produce a one-page written task assessing the role of economic sanctions. Originally used with an IB Global Politics class, it could be adapted for use with younger grades.

A simple one lesson activity that includes discussion prompts and online print resources as well as some YouTube clips, all of which are linked in the PowerPoint. Students are given time to research and discuss the key questions in small groups. Then, students participate in a whole class discussion with the teacher focusing on the extent to which there is an international responsibility to protect human rights. The key questions could of course be used as the basis of a written task. Originally used with an IB Global Politics class, the activity could be adapted for use with younger grades.

A simple PowerPoint presentation that is meant to be completed within a single 50 minute lesson. Students are required to do research on the short-term causes of the Chinese Civil War, focusing on the Shanghai Massacre. They are then required to write a one-page assessment of why Chiang Kai Shek (Jiang Jieshi) chose to break his alliance with the CCP and start the Chinese Civil War. The writing prompt could also be used to stimulate a class discussion. Suitable for anyone including Mao’s rise to power as part of their IB SL syllabus.

A quick one-lesson video clip and notemaking exercise that is meant for teachers who have chosen to include China as part of their SL syllabus. Digital resources are linked in the document. Originally designed for a combined IB HL/SL class, it could be adapted to younger grades if desired.