Students then use this interactive essay planning tool to submit a suggested way of linking the four factors, and get – at the simple click of a button – a very detailed model essay plan suggesting not only the content of each paragraph but also – crucially – how they should be linked together. In addition, hyperlinks are provided throughout the text of keywords so that students can easily conduct extra research.

The marriage of Napoleon Bonaparte and Josephine was annulled: 10th Jan. 1810.

Students rate Henry VIII according to various criteria and “join the dots” in this diagram to produce a “Wheel of Life”. Space is provided for students to explain their reasoning.

Galileo Galilei discovered the moons of Jupiter: 7th Jan. 1610.

This roleplay exercise divides the class into three teams – prosecution, defence, and judges. The prosecution and the defence gather evidence and prepare their case whilst the judges select some surprise exhibits to use in the trial. The trial itself should be a lively lesson which encourages students to make deductions and question the reliability of their “witnesses”.

Albert Camus, author of “The Plague”, died (4th Jan. 1960).