Diamond 9: What were the consequences of the Black Death?

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:

1. Remove any reasons that you don’t think are important. Record and explain why you have removed them.
2. Sort the remaining diamonds to show which are ‘short’ or ‘long’ term consequences. Record and explain your reasons.
3. 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?