I’ve just launched a brand new section on the website called the “ActiveHistory Mysteries“. I have been trialling these with my own students this term and they have proven to be a big hit! If you try them out with your own students, and / or you have any ideas for other “mysteries” I could develop, please contact me.

he “History Mysteries” lessons are designed as stand-alone projects which each last 3-4 hours. Through engaging historical topics, they teach skills of research, groupwork, structured writing. There is a standard teacher lesson plan and student record sheet / markscheme for each activity.

BAH humbug no more. The Scottish merchant who inspired one of the most famous Christmas characters of all time is finally to be recognised for his place in literary history. Ebenezer Scroggie was a hugely successful Edinburgh merchant renowned as much for his generosity and jovial nature as his wild parties.

A mummified head dug up after the French Revolution, lost for a century and unearthed by an antiques dealer belongs to Henri IV, the revered French king who died 400 years ago, leading historians and scientists have revealed.

UN Debate on Partition of the Middle East: The Reality: (a) Plans prior to 1947
UN Debate on Partition of the Middle East: The Reality: (a) Plans of 1947
Whilst the three “judges” are deliberating which partition plan is the most appropriate, the members of the other two groups can be completing these two worksheets.

The only American flag to survive Little Big Horn will go up for auction today at Sotheby's New York. The flag, one of the few remnants of Gen. George Armstrong Custer's legendary defeat, is expected to fetch $2 million to $5 million.

A useful powerpoint template to help students frame a case for a character in a “balloon debate”.