Unveiling the Decline of Castles: A Comprehensive Source Analysis

Explore the fascinating decline of castles in this engaging and interactive introductory lesson. Students will delve into essential source skills, learning to evaluate sources using the ‘Origin’, ‘Nature’, and ‘Purpose’ framework, with a focus on John Leland’s survey notes from 1534. This lesson is fully differentiated to cater to a range of abilities, making it suitable for both KS3 and KS4 students. We’ve simplified the study of Leland’s notes, by providing two versions, including an adapted version for students with a reading age of 8. Additionally, students will be able to summarise their research using a user-friendly tick table. The lesson also includes a unique component, where students will craft an extended answer, supported by writing frames, using the CCCJ model for source analysis. This model is central to all major exam boards at GCSE and A Level, making this lesson indispensable for exam preparation.

When you download this lesson you will be able to access a 23 slide PowerPoint Presentation. It contains information slides, historical sources, tasks, activities and writing frames, all produced to the high standards that we set at the History Academy. This is a free resource, which is designed to help get across the core skills that students need to study history and help prepare them. If you like this lesson, why not look at our follow up lessons on the decline of castles?

The aims and objectives of this lesson are:

Theme: Medieval Castles
Know: Why did castles decline?
Understand: How to use a historical source to explain why castles declined?
Evaluate: A historical source to justify an opinion on why castles declined?
Skills: Source Analysis, Cause, Consequence, Continuity and Change.

WILF – What Am I Looking For?
Can You Describe: Why castles declined?
Can You Explain: Using a historical source why medieval castles declined?
Can You Evaluate: A historical source and use it to justify an opinion?

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Kind Regards

Roy