World History teaching resources for the high school classroom: lesson plans, worksheets, quizzes and simulation games for KS3, IGCSE, IB and A-Level teachers.
 

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A study of Regency London sets the scene perfectly prior to studying such topics as the Growth of the British Empire, the Causes and Effects of the Industrial Revolution, and the Transatlantic Slave Trade and its abolition.

Packed with fascinating characters in the arts, sciences, politics and warfare, Regency London thrived against the background of the Napoleonic Wars and the character of the Prince Regent, the future George IV.

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 you learn to answer the two main worksheet tasks (map / questions) as you proceed. You will use what you learn to complete a range of extension tasks. Your teacher may wish to allocate different tasks to different students, or allow you to choose your own".

Extension tasks and follow-up classroom lessons / projects

Although the simulation and its main worpack can be used a standalone unit of study, I have provided a wide range of follow-up tasks which students can do individually, in groups or as a whole class. These include the following ideas:

Task - Improve the simulation!

Consider how you could improve the game further, either by allowing students to learn more about an existing place or person, or by adding new ones. For example, you could add the opportunity for players to go into the theatre to meet a famous actor. Maybe your addition to the game involves a good or a bad outcome for the player...?

Produce a PowerPoint slide or similar in the style of the computer simulation which shows how this ‘screen’ might look. Provide notes to explain where it fits into the game. You could even share it with ActiveHistory so it could be considered for inclusion!

Task - Debates (would work best as a whole-class activity)

Issue 1: The Elgin Marbles
Ever since they were taken from Greece, there have been calls that the Elgin marbles should be returned. Others strongly disagree.
What are the arguments on both sides? Which side do you most agree with, and why?

Issue 2: Nelson’s statue
Recently, some people argue that the statue of Nelson, which stands on top of Nelson’s column, should be removed. Other people strongly disagree.
What are the arguments on both sides? Which side do you most agree with, and why?

Task - Balloon Debate (would work best as a whole-class activity)

Divide the famous people mentioned in the game between all the people in the class.
Each person should then conduct further research into their allocated character in advance of a balloon debate to determine who is the most significant character of Regency England.

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, and ‘sell’ their holiday to the teacher.

Task - Winner’s podium: who was the greatest figure of the Regency period?

Choose who you think are the three most significant figures from the Regency Period you have learned about. Use this PowerPoint Template to produce a poster explaining your choices to share with the rest of the class in a display.

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 to be, whilst the other members of the class continue to play. I build up a 'leaderboard' of scores over the numerous lessons we have during revision time to build up momentum!