A murder mystery exercise. Split the class into pairs or groups of three. Give each pupil the you decide worksheets to jot down their findings. then: -Starter: As they sit down introduce the mystery using the presentation to get them engaged. They need to work out who was 'responsible' for the murder. - Put sources into three envelopes and give them to the groups in 5-8 minute intervals so it feels like an ongoing investigation and they are not swamped. - Finally discuss their findings.

A cross curricular SOW I wrote for my History department which worked alongside the Drama team. The pupils loved the fact they went to both subjects and explore the same topic. I have also included the first lesson. History focused on the building of the ship and the tragic events while Drama studied the passengers and Edwardian class system.

This is an assessment I use at the end of a year 9 unit looking at the significance of the Holocaust. All you need is some A3 sheets for the pupils and the worksheets attached.

Use this with your History, Geography and RE classes to help them remember key spelling, punctuation and grammar areas to look for in their work. Easy to remember in time for the exam or get them practicing in KS3 in readiness. Print them off and laminate them. Distribute after any extended writing task and give them just five minutes to use it to check their work. By the time the exam arrives they should remember some of the key areas to watch out for when they read through their answers.

I have used this simple activity for the past few years as an introduction to History in year 7. Though it can be adapted for other subjects. Give pupils 10 minutes to walk around and find people who they a share a hobby etc with. Put a cap on naming the same person twice to avoid friendships. Then go through each question and get their views. This is where you can discuss social History and tell them about topics they are going to learn about.

A nice activity in which pupils colour in the areas dedicated to 1st, 2nd and 3rd class. Afterwards they can write about how parts of the ship were dedicated to the passengers and why so many 3rd class voyagers died.

A document that summarises all of the major Geography GCSE courses that have now been accredited from September 2012. Useful for departments to study and compare what each exam board covers and the assessments pupils have to complete. I have left it as a word document so you can add details and ammend it as you wish.

Two assemblies (linked) about emotional wellbeing. Includes: An explanation of emotions and how they link to the brain An interactive game to get pupils thinking about empathy A description of Dan Siegel’s hand model Ways pupils could improve their mental wellbeing Slide notes to help with the delivery of the assembly You can adapt the assemblies to your settings. If you would like more information on emotional wellbeing CPD or further assistance then email me on dan@talkingleaders.co.uk

Linked to my Emotion Coaching Pocketbook resource here in TES, this bundle of resources will give schools and staff some key documents to help you roll out Emotion Coaching in your setting. This includes: An 11 page workshop information booklet that can be printed for staff and pupils. Full of useful information about what emotion coaching is, and how to use it. An activity to use with staff and pupils to develop Emotion Coaching conversations An appraisal document for leaders to use to assess what is working well, and areas for development A questionnaire and record for peer coaches to record progress of emotion coaching conversations. Contact me if you would like further guidance on implementing Emotion Coaching in your setting, including bespoke CPD sessions delivered either online, or face to face.

A 30 page pocketbook which provides a bite-size overview of emotion coaching and how it can be embedded in schools. Over 6 chapters the booklet gives teachers, support staff, SENCo’s and leaders: A step by step approach to Emotion Coaching Examples of how Emotion Coaching could look in primary and secondary schools The Neuroscience behind Emotion Coaching Emotional Wellbeing and how it links to Mindfulness Peer Emotion Coaching for students Use this booklet with my resources for training and Peer Emotion Coaching which will help you embed the tool in your school. Contact me if you would like to know more about Emotion Coaching, or if you would like help with running Emotion Coaching CPD in your school.

A great way to revise the key events and features of the Norman Conquest. There is a pupil revision sheet which you need to expand to A3 that holds all the information they need to complete the tasks. There is a link (on note section of PP) to a website with the documentary for completing part of the lesson. The lesson covers the main events of 1066 (including the Battle of Hastings) and ways William controlled the English. Good as the first lesson on revision to help them get an overview of the chronology of the period.

An assembly that explores feelings and our inner voice. It looks at how pupils can focus on positive thoughts and there is a challenge at the end for some pupils to try over the course of the following week. There is also a link to an animation on Youtube.

A full set of resources to deliver a half term scheme of work on the History of Fun. This is a great way to get pupils thinking about the development of themes over time. It is in chronological order and includes lessons on: - First humans - Egyptians - Greeks - Romans - Medieval - Tudors - Victorians - 20th century There is also an assessment with lessons that can be used summatively. NOTE - Some lessons (e.g. Romans and Egyptians) are sold separately by me. I put these all together with the other lessons due to a number of requests from people who wanted to buy the whole unit.

Designed for the new Edexcel History specification to be taught from 2016 and first examined in 2018. A 22 page stand alone booklet for the Modern Depth Study that you can print off and distribute to students. A great way to get them practicing each type of exam question. - All sources are included in the booklet - Before each question there is a tips page with key information on how to approach it - For questions 1 and 2 there are two different types of question so they have more chances to practice - A box is available so teachers can comment on how to improve - The correct space is allocated for each question so pupils are aware of how much to write.

A comprehensive 12 page whole school CPD booklet focused on: Setting up collaboration research groups amongst your staff focused on school key priorities Research cycle and forms for groups to complete Rationale on introducing research groups A focus on Solution Focused Coaching to assist with research, including a detailed rationale. I have introduced this across two schools in the past, including one outside of my trust. The document is editable for leaders to amend priorities and add names of teachers. I have left priorities and rationale as examples. If you would like further assistance with embedding the CPD then please contact me.

An assembly that looks at the work of charities and the benefits of volunteering. There are some videos from ‘V’ that introduces pupils to their work.

A fully resourced lesson on the life and significance of the prophet. Explore his life though an animation and then break down the significant turning points he experienced in the 7th and 8th century.

These 16 sheets will support your teaching of key areas of crime and punishment from 1000 - 1600. They not only cover the current specifications but are also designed to support the new GCSE specs taught from September 2016. Excellent for revision activities and also to use as standalone sheets to help with key knowledge in lessons. Many of these are also useful for lower ability and SEND pupils as they are visual with information broken up and presented in diagrams and with pictures. Topics covered include: - Anglo Saxon crime and punishment - Medieval court and punishment system (local and national) - Trial by Ordeal - Witchcraft - Gunpowder Plot - Religious persecution under the Tudors - Bloody Code

An assembly based around Edith Cavell and her story during WWI. It also looks at British nurses during the Great War. There is reference to poetry. It also makes a nice change to have the focus on a woman and her heroics.

A detailed SOW that includes: - Lesson Objectives and outcomes - Key questions to use for lessons - Coherent sequence of lessons that build up to an assessment - Suggested activities to use in every lesson This is a SOW that will enable students to begin to grasp key changes and continuity in a period of British history. Great as a precursor to GCSE units.