The Tudors: England 1485-1603 The aim of this lesson is to ascertain how smoothly Elizabeth consolidated her power on her succession to the throne. Students use source and documentary evidence to argue how Elizabeth used her coronation so effectively and think how Cecil might advise the Queen from the outset. There is a true and false activity as well as some source scholarship to consolidate the learning in the lesson. Students also have to think why a proposed marriage to Philip II of Spain might have its merits. There is an enquiry question posed at the start of the lesson and revisited throughout to show the progress of learning throughout the lesson and subsequent unit of work. The lesson comes in PowerPoint format and can be changed and adapted to suit. The lesson is differentiated and includes suggested teaching strategies.

World War I The aim of this lesson is to assess the reasons why air power became an increasingly important part of warfare in the First World War. As each side became more aware of the potential of reconnaissance, observation and bombing raids, they quickly built and developed their planes. However the sudden need to shoot down these aircraft quickly gave rise to dog fights and flying aces. Therefore the enquiry question of how frightening was the First World War’ is quite apt here. Students have decide how the planes were used using photographic evidence and then categorise information under the following headings: reconnaissance, fighting, bombing cities or attacking trenches. Much of the excellent video footage uses links to the documentaries posted by Dan Snow on the BBC. The first half of the lesson concludes by questioning the early effectiveness of air power. The second part of the lesson analyses the fighting prowess of a flying ace from Kent, Jimmy McCudden. Having scrutinised his life and achievements, students have to judge how frightening his daring exploits were before deciding if he deserves more recognition for his gallantry other than an inscription on a gravestone and on a war memorial. They can also create their create their own war memorial or obituary of his life. This lesson is enquiry based with a key question using a lightbulb posed at the start of the lesson and revisited throughout the lesson and this unit of study to show the progress of learning. The resource includes retrieval practice activities, suggested teaching strategies and differentiated materials, and comes in Powerpoint format if there is a wish to adapt and change.

The American West 1835-1895, GCSE 9-1 Edexcel This lesson aims to examine push and pull factors which contributed to the migration west. Students are introduced to the Oregon Trail and learn how the Government promoted its use by providing $30,000 for an expedition led by John Fremont to map it out and report how exciting and achievable it was to travel along it. An excellent accompanying video in contrast shows the realities however of travelling to the west. Students are given various scenarios which they have to decide are push and pull factors and for extra challenge decide if they are social, political or economic factors. There is some follow up exam question practice using the ‘consequences’ question worth 8 marks. The resource is differentiated and gives suggested teaching strategies. Some retrieval practice is also included on spelling key words. It comes in PowerPoint format which can be amended and changed to suit.

The American West 1835-1895, GCSE 9-1 Edexcel This lesson explores the significance of the Buffalo to the Plains Indians way of life. Students learn about how survival depended on the Buffalo for everything as they analyse which parts of the Buffalo are used for what and how each part had a significance. They can map this out on a printable worksheet. There is an excellent video link to Ray Mears and his brilliant American West series. The final part of the lesson introduces the students to the ‘importance’ question and some tips on how to tackle it for GCSE exam question practice. Some answers for peer assessment are given if required. The plenary requires students to answer questions to reveal a catchphrase from the lesson. The resource is differentiated and gives suggested teaching strategies. Some sentence starters for retrieval practice are also included. It comes in PowerPoint format which can be amended and changed to suit.

AQA A Level 1C The Tudors: England 1485-1603 The aim of this lesson is to decide Henry’s priorities on becoming King of England Students have to think which were Henry’s most pressing problems, before being given some help and guidance. They then have to prioritise which four things would be paramount to him and explain why. Using the information acquired, they can then begin to piece together which problems he faced and why, and plot this on a grid. The plenary requires them to write down the questions to the answers provided during the lesson. They are also introduced to a written answer to an exam question, which they analyse and evaluate before deciding which mark it could be awarded. There is some feedback from the exam board given here and a mark awarded. They can also plan an answer to this question themselves, before looking at the exam commentary, with a writing frame provided. There is an enquiry question posed at the start of the lesson and revisited throughout to show the progress of learning throughout the lesson and subsequent unit of work. The lesson comes in PowerPoint format and can be changed and adapted to suit. The lesson is differentiated and includes suggested teaching strategies.

AQA A Level 1C The Tudors: England 1485-1603 The aim of this lesson is decide how much of a threat the Lovell and Stafford rebellions were. Students are given the information about the two rebellions and then have to categorise them into causes, consequences and events. There is an odd one out activity included to check understanding where students have to justify the correct and incorrect answers. The plenary requires the challenge and thinking of but, because and so. Students have to opportunity to plan and write an essay on how much of a threat to Henry the rebellions were. A planning sheet, markscheme and help is given if required. There is an enquiry question posed and revisited to show the progress of learning throughout the lesson and subsequent unit of work. The lesson comes in PowerPoint format and can be changed and adapted to suit. The lesson is differentiated and includes suggested teaching strategies.

The aim of this lesson is to assess the impact and legacy of the Roman Empire upon Britain. Students begin by deciphering some key words and then analyse a map of Roman Britain. They are given some context to the Roman in Britain as well as the reasons why they left. The main task is to research what the Romans left behind in Britain when they left, from bathhouses, to villas, language, roads and towns. There are some excellent video links as well as some extended writing to complete if required. The plenary will check understanding with a multiple choice quiz. The resource is differentiated and gives suggested teaching strategies. It comes in PowerPoint format which can be amended and changed to suit.

This key word literacy display has been designed to be used on classroom walls (or on display boards outside) when introducing a new History topic to the students. It is an easy resource to print and will hopefully save an incredible amount of time and effort when incorporating literacy into a new or existing scheme of work. The slides can also be laminated and used as mobiles hanging from the ceiling or used as part of an informative display. The slides cover the following words and their definitions: Cat and Mouse Act, conciliation, constitution, discrimination, Emmeline Pankhurst, equality, Emily Davison, enfranchise, Epsom Derby, Force feeding, franchise, hunger strikes, Married Women’s Property Act, Matrimonial Causes Act, legislation, militant, Nancy Astor, patriarchal society, petition, propaganda, subordinate, suffrage, suffragette, suffragist, W.S.P.U., World War 1. The slides come in PowerPoint format so they are easy to change and adapt.

This key word literacy display has been designed to be used on classroom walls (or on display boards outside) when introducing a new History topic to the students. It is an easy resource to print and will hopefully save an incredible amount of time and effort when incorporating literacy into a new or existing scheme of work. The slides can also be laminated and used as mobiles hanging from the ceiling or used as part of an informative display. The slides cover the following words and their definitions: Agent Orange, Arms Race, Bay of Pigs, Berlin Airlift, Berlin Wall, Cold War, communism, containment, Cuba, Cuban Missile Crisis, East and West Germany, exclusion zone, Fidel Castro, ideology, iron curtain, Marshall Plan, McCarthyism, NATO, Nikita Khrushchev, President Kennedy, red scare, soviet bloc, Soviet Union, Superpower, trade embargo, Truman Doctrine, U2, Warsaw Pact, zones of occupation The slides come in PowerPoint format so they are easy to change and adapt.

This key word literacy display has been designed to be used on classroom walls (or on display boards outside) when introducing a new History topic to the students. It is an easy resource to print and will hopefully save an incredible amount of time and effort when incorporating literacy into a new or existing scheme of work. The slides can also be laminated and used as mobiles hanging from the ceiling or used as part of an informative display. The slides cover the following words and their definitions: Cavalier. Commonwealth, confess, controversial, civil war, defence, ducking stool, Divine Right, evidence, interregnum, Matthew Hopkins, negotiate, New Model Army, Oliver Cromwell, Puritan, Republic, resonant, Restoration, Roundhead, Rump Parliament, scaffold, scold, ship money, Stuarts, treason, trial, tyrant, witch. The slides come in PowerPoint format so they are easy to change and adapt.

The Holocaust The aim of this lesson is to evaluate the reasons why Josef Mengele escaped justice. I have been inspired to write this lesson after reading an article by Gerald Posner who spent three decades trying to track him down. The story makes fascinating reading; but was Mengele a brilliant mastermind at escape and evasion tactics or was it pure incompetence on the part of the West German authorities and a lack of will from the Western governments to track and find him? Students are given the context to Josef Mengele, his background and a very brief description of the war crimes he committed at Auschwitz, without going into specific details. They complete a missing word activity, before analysing the fake passport he used to flee to South America. The main task is to judge how believable his escape story really is, with some red herrings thrown in for good measure to get the students really thinking. Some key differentiated questions, an extended writing piece, with some ‘believable’ words as well as a thinking quilt will give the students an accurate account of his double life. There is also an excellent link to video footage of a documentary by Gerald Posner himself. The resource comes in PDF and PowerPoint formats if there is a wish to adapt and change and is differentiated. I have also included suggested teaching strategies to deliver the lesson.

The American West 1835-1895, GCSE 9-1 Edexcel This lesson explores the role of the Chief in Plains Indian society, with his different qualities, role and duties to perform. Students learn as each tribe could have many chiefs, this led to confusion and distrust amongst the US Government Officials who struggled to come to terms with their customs and traditions. Famous Chiefs such as Sitting Bull are analysed as well as the role of a council. Students will also evaluate the role of warrior brotherhoods and women in Plains Indian society. Students are also questioned on how the Plains Indians way of life might change if the US Government struggled to develop relationship with them due to the tribes having many Chiefs. The resource is differentiated and gives suggested teaching strategies. Some key word retrieval practice is also included. It comes in PowerPoint format if there is a wish to adapt and change.

The American West, c 1835-c1895, GCSE 9-1 Edexcel This lesson aims to explore the strengths and weaknesses of the Homestead Act of 1862. What was the Homestead Act and who could apply? How did the US Government make it easier for US citizens to become Homesteaders from what had happened previously? Students will also be required to think and judge who really benefitted from it. Was it all US Citizens who benefitted or did anyone else? Were the Plains Indians considered when this Act was passed and how did it affect them? There are notes on the slides to help. Students are required to complete a GCSE ‘importance’ practice question and are challenged to think why each specific term was significant. The plenary requires connecting and linking key words and dates. The resource is differentiated and gives suggested teaching strategies. Some retrieval practice is also included using an odd one out activity. It comes in Powerpoint format if there is a wish to adapt and change.

The American West, c1835-c1895, GCSE 9-1 Edexcel The aim of this lesson to analyse the work of the cowboys on the Long Drives and on Cattle Ranches of the American Plains. At the start, some myths are dispelled about cowboys, many of which can be attributed to Hollywood films and John Wayne. Students learn the importance of the Long Drives and the roles the cowboys played in bring the cattle to their final destination, including all the hazards on the way. They also study the life on the ranches and the further difficulties endured by the cowboys in their work. Students are thus prepared to answer a GCSE exam practice question on the importance of cowboys to the cattle industry worth 8 marks, with help given if required. The plenary challenges students to decide if the statements can be categorised to the Ranches or the Long Drive. The resource is differentiated and gives suggested teaching strategies. Some recall retrieval practice is also included. It comes in Powerpoint format which can be amended and changed to suit.

The American West, c1835-c1895, GCSE 9-1 Edexcel This lesson aims to assess the importance of Wyatt Earp and the continuing problems of law and order in the West. It follows on from the previous lesson on Billy the Kid. Students learn why Wyatt Earp was employed in Tombstone and then have to emoji rate each part of his story to judge how wicked he ‘possibly’ was. They have to give reasons for each of their judgements before they give an overall assessment on his life. There is an excellent link to a documentary on Earp and well as a clip from the film Tombstone to reinforce the learning. There is some follow up exam question practice using the ‘consequences’ question worth 8 marks, with help given if needed. The plenary is a literacy challenge which requires definitions of key words. The resource is differentiated and gives suggested teaching strategies. Some retrieval practice is also included from the beginning to think of the similarities and differences between Billy the Kid and Wyatt Earp. It comes in PowerPoint format which can be amended and changed to suit.

The American West, c1835-c1895, GCSE 9-1 Edexcel The aim of this lesson is to explore the consequences of overstocking the open range and the subsequent move to small ranches after the Great Die up of 1886-87. Students are required to tackle some GCSE exam question practice from the start as they have to work out reasons why and the consequences for the changes to the cattle industry. They also analyse the impact on cowboys and reasons for a decline in their demand. Students are also challenged into deciding which policies went before or after 1887 and what constituted this new change in direction. The plenary requires them to demonstrate what they have learnt in the lesson using a summarising pyramid. The resource is differentiated and gives suggested teaching strategies. It comes in Powerpoint format which can be amended and changed to suit.

Rise of Dictators The aim of this lesson is to question if Saddam deserves his reputation as the ‘Butcher of Baghdad’. Students are at first questioned as to what they know about Saddam and are given information on the importance of Iraq and the Middle East with its oil rich economies. Some source scholarship analyses the death of Saddam and the reasons why he was executed. Together with a thinking quilt, students learn about Saddam’s brutal reign of terror together with the Iran-Iraq war and his invasion of Kuwait. Thus so far, the lesson appears straightforward and there is little to argue against his reputation. However students will also learn through video and source evidence of revisionist ideas of Saddam and the consequence of his execution with the instability within Iraq today. Thus they will be challenged on their original assumptions and evaluate how this reputation has been given to Saddam; is it a just a Western perception? Whilst Iraqis may not necessarily doubt his brutal regime, do they insist life was better than now? The lesson is enquiry based with a key question using a lightbulb posed at the start of the lesson and revisited to show the progress of learning. The resource includes some retrieval practice on Dictators, suggested teaching strategies, differentiated materials and comes in Powerpoint format if there is a wish to adapt and change.

World War II The aim of this lesson is to question whether countries should accept refugees in times of war. The start of the lesson examines who refugees are and why they may have to leave their country of origin in times of war. A modern day example of Syrian Refugees coming to Britain is used. Students are then questioned about how the Governments of the World, including Britain, reacted to refugees with their worries and quotas put in place. A case study of the Kindertransport is used with the story of one such Jewish refugee. Students will decide how this refugee might have felt with examples using the text. There is also a statistical challenge and a true and false plenary quiz aimed at correcting some misconceptions. Finally some excellent video footage is used to accompany the lesson. The lesson is enquiry based with a key question using a lightbulb posed at the start of the lesson and revisited throughout to show the progress of learning. The resource includes retrieval practice activities, suggested teaching strategies and differentiated materials, and comes in Powerpoint format if there is a wish to adapt and change

Edexcel 9-1 Medicine in Britain, Thematic study and historic environment This lesson aims to give the context of the British sector of the Western Front and the theatre of war in Flanders and Northern France, the Ypres Salient, the Somme, Arras and Cambrai. They will also discover that not all the fighting was done in muddy trenches as most students generalise about. Students will learn why there was a salient around Ypres and the advantages this gave the Germans on the higher ground, including Hill 60. They will analyse the horrific death and injuries suffered on the first day of the battle of the Somme and why this battle was initiated in the first place. Furthermore they will investigate the tunnelling system around Arras and the hospital built there, now called the Wellington Tunnels. Finally they are given information about Cambrai and judge the impact of the tank in the overall outcome of the battle. Activities include retrieval practice, the use of video evidence, a prioritising exercise as well as discussion and debate. The resource is differentiated and gives suggested teaching strategies. It comes in PowerPoint format which can be amended and changed to suit.