1066 – Factual Test

The Battle for the throne: 1066 [Interactive simulation] | Factual Test A decision-making simulation as King Harold – will you survive the challenges to your throne? This is a major activity that should keep students busy for at least a couple of lessons (they are even given a certificate with a score at the end that could…

Wild West – Factual Test

Online Simulation: Fame and Fortune – A Wild West Adventure! | Factual Test In this major online simulation, which can be played over several lessons (my students took three hours), students take on the role of a pioneer eager to find fame and fortune by heading into the “Wild West”. By completing a detailed worksheet as they proceed, and…

Red Scare: PowerPoint Presentation

The Red Scare: Classroom simulation! In this educational simulation, students each research a different character secretly. One of them was a genuine communist, the rest were innocent of the charges. Then, after each one is interrogated (HUAC style!) by the teacher, students have to organise themselves over several rounds into different groups in an attempt…

Red Scare: Factual Test

Red Scare = Individual Research Phase > Factual Test This pack provides detailed information and suggested areas for research. Students choose a range of themes from those suggested and conduct their own research to help them prepare their essays. There is also a factual test for students to test their knowledge of this material.

Bayeux Tapestry Slideshow

Bayeux Tapestry Slideshow The lesson could start by watching a Bayeux Tapestry Animation on YouTube. Then, view a series of interactive images from the Bayeux Tapestry with analysis of their meaning. Designed to be used to help teachers in a feedback session after students have completed the worksheet accompanying the game above. There is a…

New Simulation: Voyages of Discovery

This newly recoded game will teach students about the “Voyages of Discovery” of the 15th century. These daring overseas adventures marked the beginning of globalization and European empire-building. Countries like Portugal, Spain, Holland and Britain competed for access to the riches that came from the spice trade with the “Far East”. You will seek your…

Regency England: Fling the Teacher Quiz

End of Unit Quiz I give students 10 minutes at the start of the lesson to try to complete the quiz. Anyone completing the quiz within the available time gets a score based on the amount of minutes left on the clock. They can then move on to the first lesson task, whatever that happens…

Why did the Gallipoli campaign fail?

Why did the Gallipoli campaign fail? This introductory multimedia presentation is followed by using these 27 sources to complete the group work task outlined in the final slides. Suggested follow-up activities are also provided.

Time Travel Holiday Package to Regency London

Time Travel Holiday Package to Regency London In this competitive activity, the class is arranged into groups and each one has to design a ‘Time Travel Holiday; package to Regency England, designed to appeal to a wide range of customers. Each group has to choose a different set of locations and people drawn from the simulation,…

*NEW* Simulation – Regency London: The Coronation Quest!

Regency London: The Coronation Quest! [interactive simulation]: Workpack | Extension Tasks “In this game, your mission is to get an invitation to attend the coronation of King George IV in 1821. To succeed you must talk to various people and trade different objects. In the process you will learn all about this fascinating period of British history. Use what…

The Atomic Bomb: Was America right to use it?

The Atomic Bomb: Was America right to use it? | Teacher answer sheet In 1945 Dr. Farrington Daniels asked 150 scientists working on the atomic bomb how they thought it should be used. They were given 5 options. Students debate these before being told what was actually decided. Did they agree?

French Revolution Simulation – updated

I have updated the Causes of the French Revolution Simulation [part 1] with further video clips and a brand new worksheet, which now comes complete with a teacher answer sheet.

D-Day: Timeline Analysis

D-Day: Timeline Analysis Students are presented with an online newsfeed which reveals the events of D-Day, step by step. They use this information to make detailed notes in the worksheet, which comes complete with follow-up questions and research tasks.

Why did youth protest counterculture movements develop in the USA, and how successful were they in realising their objectives?

A new study unit for IBDP History. The 1960s saw the emergence of a ‘counterculture’ as young people in particular rebelled against traditional values and ways of life. The conditions for the emergence of this counterculture are varied and complex, and include such things as:Economic wealth and educational opportunities gave the post-war ‘baby boom’ generation in the US…

Japan in the Edo Period – A Time of Culture

Japan in the Edo Period – A Time of Culture The Edo period brought stability to Japan. As violence and warfare became a thing of the past, Japan’s arts and culture began to thrive under the leadership of a series of Emperors and their Shoguns. Because the Edo period also saw Japan rejecting foreign influence and isolating itself,…

What sorts of things could get me into hell? – The Seven Deadly Sins

What sorts of things could get me into hell? – The Seven Deadly Sins [teacher-led presentation version]In this activity students will learn about, and connect, the seven deadly sins. They will also learn about which particular punishments are associated with each of these sins. They will then write a dialogue between two people that can…

US Presidents and Latin America, 1945-1980

US Presidents and Latin America, 1945-1980A comprehensive revision aid outlining the impact of each US President between Truman and Carter upon key countries in Latin Ameria.

Apartheid South Africa – Classroom Debate

Classroom Debate – 10 key issuesStudents are given a range of possible issues to debate.. Each pair of students will debate one of the focus points. One person in the pair will argue “YES” and the other will argue “NO”. During each debate, the rest of the class should take notes. At the end of…

Design your own medieval shield!

I have updated the popular Heraldry Simulation so that students can save progress if they need to complete their activity for homework or in a subsequent lesson.

Historiography of the Great Society

Historiography and Essay Writing | completed teacher notes “Read the concluding statements you have produced regarding each of the main policy areas you have considered to arrange them in a continuum line from least to most successful. If you were going to arrange these into three broad categories as sections for an essay, what would your new…

LBJ – how successful was the Great Society?

Group Feedback Phase | Teacher Notes The class will be organised into small groups of about four or five students.Each group should start by discussing the “Education / Workers’ rights” row. Any member of the team who researched any of these laws should share their findings with the rest of the group, and all members should write…

LBJ and the Great Society

Individual Research Task: 27 Acts of Legislation Each member of the class will be given ONE card, and should research the law listed on it to make notes on the following:What problem was it trying to solve?What did it try to do to solve this problem?Was it a success or a failure?

Silk Roads Simulation

I have added a “Leaderboard” facility to the “Silk Roads Simulation” game so that teachers can view student progress and use it as a live markbook.

*NEW* Virtual Journey around Tsarist Russia

*NEW* Virtual Journey around Tsarist Russia This simulation provides students with a thorough overview of the political, economic, religious and military strengths and weaknesses of Tsarist Russia on the eve of World War One. There are more than 50 locations to visit.I’ve completely rewritten and reskinned the simulation this weekend by adding quiz questions, a…

*NEW* Simulation: Rule of Mussolini

“In this new simulation, you will play the role of James Spod, an undercover agent. Your mission is to find, and then assassinate, Benito Mussolini: the Fascist dictator whose alliance with the evil Adolf Hitler is throwing the world into chaos. There is a worksheet which you should complete as you progress through the simulation….

Interactive Decision-Making Simulation: How successfully did Castro rule Cuba, 1959-1980?

Interactive Decision-Making Simulation: How successfully did Castro rule Cuba, 1959-1980? This standalone interactive simulation, which takes 2-3 hours to complete thoroughly, provides students with essential information about Castro’s rule and demands that they analyse various policies in terms of success and failure. It can be set as a self-study classroom exercise or as a homework…

Source Pack: The Chinese Civil War and the Rise of Mao

Source Pack: The Chinese Civil War and the Rise of Mao This sourcepack comes complete with questions and is broken up logically into sections relating to three key periods leading to the rise of Mao. Part of the new unit of study on the Chinese Civil Wars and the Rise of Mao.

Useful Quotes from Mao and Chiang

Useful Quotes from Mao and Chiang Students are given a list of quotes from Mao and Chiang, and consider where and how they could be integrated into their essay plans. Part of the new unit of study on the Chinese Civil Wars and the Rise of Mao.

Rise of Mao: Essay Planning

Rise of Mao: Essay Planning Students are provided with a template which allows them to methodically structure a whole range of essay questions. Each student should complete this for a different questions, then these can be collated and shared to revise from. In a subsequent lesson, the teacher should choose one of these questions for…

Rise of Mao: Possible Essay Questions | Sample Plan

Rise of Mao: Possible Essay Questions | Sample Plan Students are provided with a list of essay questions from past examination papers. As a class, read through the questions and highlight the central focus point of each. Students then consider how they would structure a question phrased as follows for each of these focus points. Part of…

The Chinese Civil War: Video Recap

The Chinese Civil War: Video Recap “Watch the 8-minute video to complete this initial timeline to summarise what you have so far learned. If you have not already completed your own detailed timeline, develop this one further using your notes from the decision making simulation“. Part of the new unit of study on the Chinese Civil Wars and…

Factual Test – The Chinese Civil Wars and the Rise of Mao

Factual Test – The Chinese Civil Wars and the Rise of Mao (teacher password required) Twenty questions to test essential knowledge, based on what should have been learned so far. Part of the new unit of study on the Chinese Civil Wars and the Rise of Mao.

Mao’s Rise to Power – Timeline Task

Mao’s Rise to Power – Timeline Task “Use your detailed handwritten notes from the decision making simulation to complete this table in as much detail as possible. You may wish to use a key to highlight events, places, and people in different colours. Next, develop your timeline further by doing your own web research on some of…

*NEW* Simulation – Are you more like Chiang or Mao?

The Chinese Civil Wars – Are you more like Chiang or Mao? (Multimedia Decision Making Simulation) A comprehensive interactive lecture to educate students about the key events of the Chinese Civil War, with twelve decision points and complete with 45 minutes of video clips. Designed to be delivered as an interactive lecture over several hours. As…

The Chinese Civil War: Introduction

The Chinese Civil War: Introduction An introductory handout providing a timeline of events and lost of characters to familiarise students with an essential overview. Part of the new study unit on the Chinese Civil Wars and the Rise of Mao at ActiveHistory.

Cold War Historiography

Cold War HistoriographyStudents are provided with a comprehensive list of quotes from contemporary politicians and historians since, and given a range of tasks to complete which will enable them to deepen their understanding.

Campaign 1965: Selma – The Simulation

Campaign 1965: Selma – The Simulation [interactive]“In this simulation you will learn about key figures involved in the struggle as events unfold step-by-step. For each character you will be invited to step inside their shoes and consider how you should react to the situation you face if your objective is to attract favourable media attention that…

Historiography of the Berlin Blockade

Historiography of the Berlin BlockadeStudents are provided with a historiographical overview and structure questions to familiarise themselves with the debate. Part of the Berlin Blockade Scheme of Work.

Cuban Missile Crisis – Tension between the USA and Cuba

Background – Tension between the USA and CubaThis worksheet focuses more narrowly on the tension between the USA and Cuba following Castro’s seizure of power. Part of the complete scheme of work on the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Global Impact of the British Empire – Video Worksheet

The Global Impact of the British Empire on Australia, Africa and ChinaStudents watch three video clips of 8 minutes each to answer questions (What sorts of foreigners settled there, and why? / What positive effects did their arrival have upon the region? / What negative impact did they have upon the region?)

Medieval Castle Building – Online Simulation

Castles: Defence and Attack!  A game of strategy: Spend your budget on your choice of features, then read a story of how your castle fares when faced with attack! Complete with a worksheet and extension activities. There’s even a live ‘leaderboard’ to check the progress of your students! This game has now been updated with…

The Yalta Conference: classroom roleplay!

The Yalta Conference: classroom roleplay!The teacher will arrange the class into three group (USSR / UK / USA) and give each student a briefing sheet focusing on the objectives of their leader (Stalin / Churchill / Roosevelt). They then have a series of issues to reach a compromise upon, and score points accordingly for their…

The Kennan Telegram and NSC-68

The Kennan Telegram and NSC-68Students learn about two essential documents which helped to shape post-war American foreign policy throughout the Cold War.

Factual Test: Cuban Missile Crisis

End of unit factual testWorksheet and Teacher AnswersA 25-question factual test, in the format of a detailed analysis / conclusion with gaps to fill.

The Mystery of Pompeii: Study Unit

This suite of lessons has expanded over the past few years to become a mini-scheme of work in itself. The complete unit, with additional material such as a worksheet to accompany a documentary video, is available here.

“Escape the Room” Lesson – Origins of the Cold War

As an introduction to my first major topic of study with my IB students, I put together this new “Escape the Room” lesson last week, designed to run between 45 minutes and an hour. It worked really well and you can download all the resources to try it with your own classes by following the…

The Bosnian Crisis / Balkan Wars

The clash of Serb Nationalism with Austrian Imperialism | Completed Teacher Notes The tension between Austria and Serbia is explained through a focus on the Bosnian Crisis of 1908 and the Balkan Wars of 1912-1913. Teacher notes have now been added to this lesson resource.

New Simulation: Lenin’s Russia

This new simulation, which comes complete with multimedia clips, a leaderboard feature and a ‘save game’ facility, is designed for students of Lenin’s Russia.

*NEW* Simulation – Worst Georgian Jobs in History

I’ve just launched another brand new simulation on ActiveHistory – “The Worst Georgian Jobs in History”. Designed to run as a self-contained activity, students answer a series of questions to get matched to their ideal “worst job”. Complete with a worksheet and tests of factual knowledge.

World War One Trenches Simulation

I have made some major improvements to the popular “Can you survive the trenches of World War One?” simulation, in particular adding more multimedia clips and decision points.

The Mid-Tudor Crisis under Edward VI: New Simulation

A new ActiveHistory simulation. It is 1547. King Henry VIII is dead, and his young son, Edward VI, has become King. Ruling on his behalf is the Privy Council, led by Protector Somerset (the boy’s uncle). Your task is to stay alive for the duration of the reign by keeping the country on an even…

Who were the greatest characters of the Wild West?

Who were the greatest characters of the Wild West? I use this as an extension activity for students who complete the simulation within the three hours which I allocate to it. Students have to research various characters and then choose one “Cowboy”, one “Cowgirl” and one Native American who will be included in their film…

The Red Scare: Classroom simulation!

In this educational simulation, students each research a different character secretly. One of them was a genuine communist, the rest were innocent of the charges. Then, after each one is interrogated (HUAC style!) by the teacher, students have to organise themselves over several rounds into different groups in an attempt to identify the communist within…

Podcast Worksheet: Mandela, an Audio History

Podcast Worksheet: Mandela, an Audio History Students provide answers to the following questions using the first 24 minutes of this podcast from the BBC, which covers Mandela’s life up to his imprisonment in 1964.

Rise of Pinochet: Diplomatic Causes

Diplomatic causes: To what extent was President Nixon responsible for the overthrow of democracy in Chile? | Primary sources pack | Completed teacher version In this second part of the study, students investigate whether the USA was responsible for engineering both Allende’s failures and Pinochet’s coup. Part of the complete scheme of work on the rise and rule of…

Rise of Pinochet: Domestic Causes

Domestic causes: How popular was Allende with his own people at the time of his overthrow? | Completed teacher version In this task, students consider how far the Chilean coup can be explained in terms of domestic factors – in particular, whether it is accurate to say that Allende precipitated his own overthrow with divisive and unpopular…

Spanish Civil War: Video Worksheets

Video Worksheet: Causes of the Spanish Civil War – Part 1, 1931-1935 | Completed Teacher Version A structured worksheet based around a classic video documentary about the Spanish Civil War, which is available online. Video Worksheet: Causes of the Spanish Civil War – Part 2, 1936 | Completed Teacher Version A structured worksheet based around a classic video documentary…

Spanish Civil War: Detailed Analysis and Video Documentary Clips

Detailed Analysis and Video Documentary Clips In this activity, students consider not only the role of the Republic, the Nationalists and Foreign powers in the conflict, but also the role played by political, socio-economic and military factors. They begin by using ideas from their timeline (previous activity) and the move on to watch a series…

Design a Film Poster / Trailer about the Aztecs and the Conquistadors

Design a Film Poster / Trailer about the Aztecs and the Conquistadors “You are a Hollywood director producing a film about the Conquest of the Aztec Empire by Cortes. You will produce a poster advertising your film, including:– A dramatic title for the film– 4 “Screenshots” from the film depicting the key events of the story– Captions under each screenshot…

In Defence of Apartheid

In Defence of Apartheid Students listen to three short video interview clips with contemporary witnesses justifying the policy of apartheid, and make notes on each. Part of the Apartheid South Africa scheme of work at ActiveHistory.

Flashpoint: Berlin – Events 1948-1960

Flashpoint: Berlin – Events 1948-1960 This lesson provides an overview of the Berlin Blockade, structured questions around a video documentary covering the period, and a cartoon sourcework question. Part of the scheme of work on Soviet Control of Eastern Europe at ActiveHistory.

Historiography: How have historians debated the causes of the Korean War?

Historiography: How have historians debated the causes of the Korean War? Here’s a handout I produced for my students, which is particularly useful for justifying the definition of the Korean War as a Civil War for Paper 2 as well as a Cold War Conflict. Part of the Korean War scheme of work at ActiveHistory.

The Silk Roads: Measure them to scale using your school!

The Silk Roads: Measure them to scale using your school! At this stage, I get my students to determine which parts of the school site would represent different places along the Silk Roads, and how many kilometres would be represented by each footstep. It’s a nice way of getting the students out of the classroom…

Henry VIII: Video and accompanying worksheet

Henry VIII: Video and accompanying worksheet This framework document instructs students to take minute-by-minute notes on an accessible video documentary, to choose images to accompany the various ‘chapters’ in the story of Henry’s life, and to decide which elements suggest he was a ‘hero’ and which a ‘villain’. Part of the Henry VIII scheme of…

The Wild West: New Simulation Game!

The Wild West: Cowboys and Indians, Outlaws and Sheriffs! At the start of the 1800s, the USA was just thirteen British colonies on the East Coast of North America. But for the rest of the century, these settlers headed Westwards to take over the entire continent in a process of “Westward Expansion”, and the dangers…

The Wild West: Timeline Analysis

The Wild West: Cowboys and Indians, Outlaws and Sheriffs! At the start of the 1800s, the USA was just thirteen British colonies on the East Coast of North America. But for the rest of the century, these settlers headed Westwards to take over the entire continent in a process of “Westward Expansion”, and the dangers…

The Wild West: Introduction and Overview

The Wild West: Cowboys and Indians, Outlaws and Sheriffs! At the start of the 1800s, the USA was just thirteen British colonies on the East Coast of North America. But for the rest of the century, these settlers headed Westwards to take over the entire continent in a process of “Westward Expansion”, and the dangers…

Essay Keywords Checker: Castro’s Rule of Cuba

Essay Keywords Checker: Castro’s Rule of Cuba This tool provided a list of key terms relating to Castro’s rule of Cuba and can be used to help students identify any obvious gaps in their analysis. Part of the new scheme of work on Castro’s Rule.

Castro’s Rule: Past IB Paper 2 / Paper 3 Essay Questions

Past IB Paper 2 / Paper 3 Essay Questions Students can highlight different themes in different colours and highlight dates in red and use these to discuss the most common themes and perspectives focused on by the examiner. Part of the new scheme of work on the Rule of Castro.

Castro Essay Planning Exercises | Matrix Grids – Blogpost | Sample Student Slides

Essay Planning Exercises | Matrix Grids – Blogpost | Sample Student Slides In this phase, students use their research to consider how they could use it to answer two possible questions:Was Castro’s use of propaganda more important than his use of force as a means of maintaining power?How Authoritarian was Castro’s Cuba? Part of the new scheme of work…

Castro’s Rule: Classroom Debate and Arbitration Exercise

Classroom Debate and Arbitration Exercise In this stage, students work with the same student(s) that looked at the same policy, from the same perspective, as themselves. Together, they produce a joint presentation to the rest of the class designed to persuade them that in your policy area Castro was a success or a failure as…

Castro’s Objectives, Policies, and Research Focus Points

Castro’s Objectives, Policies, and Research Focus Points | Teacher Notes Each student should focus on a different policy area, and identify elements of success OR failure in preparation for a debate.. Students first consider how rulers measure their success in terms of economics, politics and so on. If you have IB Geography students willing to do so,…

Measuring Castro’s success on his own terms: Populism, Nationalism, Socialism

Measuring Castro’s success on his own terms: Populism, Nationalism, Socialism This short presentation, which closes with a 5-minute video clip providing a recap on Castro’s rise, sets up the unit by stressing the importance to students of measuring Castro on his own terms, and providing definitions of three criteria by which to do so. Part…

Hitler’s Foreign Policy 1938-39

Uniting all Germans: Anschluss and the Sudetenland | Teacher Slideshow Complete with structured questions and sourcework, students are guided through the main events through a decision-making exercise. Invading Foreign Territory: Czechoslovakia and Poland | Teacher Slideshow Students examine a series of sources and watch video clips to build up their knowledge.

Germany, Italy and the Spanish Civil War | Teacher Slideshow

Germany, Italy and the Spanish Civil War | Teacher Slideshow A detailed workpack broken into three key sections, with structured questions and sourcework tasks:What was the Spanish Civil War?Why did Germany get involved in the Spanish Civil War?What did Germany Contribute to the Spanish Civil War?