The Issue of Marriage

The Issue of Marriage An analysis of Mary’s marriage options and an assessment of her decisions.

Mary I: Timeline of the Reign

Timeline of the Reign An essential overview, with students encouraged to formulate their own questions for further research.

Somerset: Conclusion and Debate

Somerset: Conclusion and Debate Students are presented with detailed points and then use these to prepare for a classroom debate.

The 1549 Rebellions

The 1549 Rebellions An online presentation designed to be delivered as a lecture.

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.

Korean War: Visual essay-writing exercise

I love it when the students teach each other. Today, this exceptional group of HL historians at the International School of Toulouse drew together their studies of the Korean War by working together to categorise, link and annotate 25 political cartoons to create a ‘gallery walk’. The product was a superb piece of display and…

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.

How healthy was the Pre-Reformation Church? Investigation of the Historiography

How healthy was the Pre-Reformation Church? Investigation of the Historiography Although the Henrician Reformation is often seen as a ‘revolution from above’ led by Henry and his minions, historians also consider how far the Church itself was already on the verge of collapse, and how far this therefore made the monarch’s task easier.

Who was the most important character in the Henrician Reformation?

Who was the most important character in the Henrician Reformation? Historians often argue about the importance played by individuals in historical events. Some claim that they merely crystallise forces and trends which already exist; others say that they can actually pull society in a totally new direction. In this activity you will learn more about…

Causes and Course of the Henrician Reformation, 1527-35

Causes and Course of the Henrician Reformation, 1527-35 It is 1527. You are Sir Thomas de Tart, an advisor to Henry VIII of England. The King wants to get rid of his wife, Catherine of Aragon. Your job is to give him good advice when he faces difficult decisions. If you do a good job,…

Key Events, 1533-36

Key Events, 1533-36 By the beginning of 1533 the English Clergy had now been brought to heel but the King had not established formal independence from Rome. That was the next phase of events.

Timeline of the Henrician Reformation, 1515-29

Timeline of the Henrician Reformation, 1515-29 The early years of Henry VIII’s reign gave no indication of the dramatic upheavals in religion which would ultimately take place. He appointed a Cardinal as his Chief Minister, went on pilgrimages and wrote a book in defence of Catholicism against Luther, for which he gained the title of…

Wolsey: the church

Wolsey: the church Comprehensive information sheet and structured questions.

Reformation Statutes, 1533-36 | teacher notes

Reformation Statutes, 1533-36 | teacher notes For each extract, identify its main provisions, and the justification / authority for these policies in another. Fill in the boxes under each. Using your timeline of events from the earlier lesson, see if you can determine which Act each extract comes from. Write this into each of the yellow boxes.

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…

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.

*NEW* Bingo Game Generator

I’ve just launched a new template on ClassTools which allows you to create printable bingo cards or generate online bingo games.

*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.

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.

“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…