A comprehensive pack of sources and questions in the style of GCSE/IGCSE examinations, designed to be printed off at the beginning of the unit and used as homework exercises over the course of several weeks.
Author: Russel Tarr
Timeline of Middle East events, 1914-1939, plus factual test
As part of my ongoing project to upload teacher notes for all major units over the course of the year, I’ve added a completed version of the timeline, and a factual test / completed teacher answers to this page. Much more to follow…!
Why did Israel win the war of 1948-49?
Analysis: Why did Israel win the war of 1948-49? Working with a partner, students cut up these slips and then organise them under headings of their choice. Some of the slips may be arguments, whereas others may be substantiating detail you can use to back up these arguments. They should aim for 3-5 categories of…
Victorian Entrepreneur Game – now with leaderboard / new worksheets
I’ve updated the Horatio Ramsbottom game with a simpler worksheet, a second test, a leaderboard and new questions.
Keyword checker: A tool for developing essay skills
I’ve been getting fed up with my IB students not incuding all of the topic keywords / terms in their essays. So I’ve just finished writing this program which checks how many keywords have been included with the click of a button. I’ll be encouraging students to run their essays through this before handing them…
History Mystery: The Princes in the Tower
An ActiveHistory Mystery. The “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.
“Twister” – Create a “Tweet” from a fictional/historical character
This new template allows you to create fictional “status updates” that can then be printed off for display purposes. Students could be asked * What are the most important people in this topic? * What was their most important moment within the topic? * What would their comment be about it? * What particular keywords…
Causes of the Spanish Civil War: Dynamic Essay-Planning Tool
Professor AJP Sailor takes 5 factors and connects them together in endless combinations to help students consider the Origins of Spanish Civil War and how to link factors in essays.
350 years ago today (30 Jan 1661): Cromwell executed…even though dead already
The body of Oliver Cromwell, former Lord Protector of England, was dug up and “executed” more than two years after his death [more]
90 years ago (28 Jan 1921): Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
In Paris, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was installed beneath the Arc de Triomphe, honouring unidentified soldiers who fell in WWI [images]
25 years ago today (28 Jan 1986): Challenger disaster
The American space shuttle “Challenger” exploded shortly after lift-off from Cape Canaveral, Florida, killing all 7 astronauts [video]
Factual Test: Declaration of the State of Israel and the War of 1948-49
Timeline Factual Test To ensure that students have gathered the essential information, they should take this “fill the gaps” exercise which contains 15 questions in a table following the same format as the timeline in the previous worksheet. There is also a completed teacher version available.
Historical Anniversaries for February 2011
40 years ago (2nd Feb. 1971) Idi Amin became President of Uganda. He had overthrown Milton Obote in a military coup the previous week. 100 years ago (6th Feb. 1911) Birth of Ronald Reagan, American actor and 40th President of the United States. 40 years ago (7th Feb. 1971) Women in Switzerland were finally given…
25 years ago (23 Jan 1986): Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame established
The first members were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: Chuck Berry, James Brown, Ray Charles, Fats Domino, The Everly Brothers, Buddy Holly, Jerry Lee Lewis and Elvis Presley [official website].
Tsar Alexander II: Complete scheme of work with teacher notes
I have relaunched the Tsar Alexander II page of the site to include some brand new worksheets and completed teacher notes for all aspects of the topic.
50 years ago (20 Jan 1961): John F. Kennedy was inaugurated as the 35th President of the United States
John F. Kennedy was inaugurated as the 35th President of the United States [video].
100 years ago today (17 Jan 1911): Death of Sir Francis Galton
Death of Sir Francis Galton, British anthropologist, explorer, eugenicist, statistician, and meteorologist, known for his pioneering studies of human intelligence, for devising the concept of correlation, and for creating the first weather map [more]
20 years ago today (16 Jan 1991): The Gulf War begins
The Gulf War begins with “Operation Desert Storm” after a UN deadline for Iraq to withdraw from Kuwait expired [more].
Random Name / Word Picker
The classtools random name / word picker has now been updated with a brand new image which makes it look a little less (in the words of my wife) “Hello Kitty”!
History Mystery: Operation Mincemeat
A new History Mystery, designed to be used as part of a study of World War Two. The “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 /…
150 years ago today (9 Jan 1861): First shots of the American Civil War
The first shots were exchanged between Union and Confederate forces in the American Civil War, when the Union ship ‘Star of the West’ attempted to deliver troops and supplies to Fort Sumter, South Carolina [more].
Resources for Holocaust Memorial Day (27th Jan.)
Holocaust Memorial Day January 27th is Holocaust Memorial Day. In preparation for this I have prepared the following materials to help students reflect on the causes and consequences of Genocide. 1. PowerPoint: Assembly introducing the topic of Genocide Designed to last 15-20 minutes, this PowerPoint introduces the topic and the tasks which follow. 1. Student…
League of Nations in the 1920s
I’ve now added a Leaderboard and a new worksheet to this simulation, which will be the subject of the IGCSE Paper 2 (sourcework) in Summer 2012.
Declaration of the State of Israel and the War of 1948-49
Introduction and Overview. The UN General Assembly voted in principle to accept the UNSCOP Majority Plan for partition (with some amendments) in November 1947. On May 14th 1948 David Ben Gurion, leader of the Zionists in Palestine, suddenly declared the independence of Israel. The following day 5 Arab nations invaded the new Jewish state. Israel…
World War One Battlefields Trip Exhibition: Advice and Resources
I’ve just uploaded some resources to help teachers and students follow-up their Battlefields Trip with an exhibition and guided tour. The materials can be found here.
65 years ago today (3 Jan 1946): Execution of Lord Haw-Haw
Execution of William Joyce (‘Lord Haw-Haw’) at Wandsworth prison, London. Joyce was the British traitor who broadcast Nazi propaganda from Germany during World War Two [more].
History Mystery: The Murder of Archbishop Becket
An ActiveHistory Mystery. The “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.
150 years ago (29 Dec 1860): Britain’s first iron-hulled warship, ‘HMS Warrior’, was launched in London
As you arrive at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, the stunning sleek, black lines of Britain’s first iron-hulled, armoured warship, take your breath away. Warrior, launched in 1860, was the pride of Queen Victoria’s fleet. Powered by steam and sail, she was the largest, fastest and most powerful ship of her day and had a profound effect…
UNSCOP and the Debate about the Future of Palestine, 1947: Factual Test
A short factual test to round off the Middle East unit.
History Mysteries: Lesson Plans, Worksheets and Markschemes
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…
UN Debate on Partition of the Middle East
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.
Balloon Debate: PowerPoint template
A useful powerpoint template to help students frame a case for a character in a “balloon debate”.
French Revolution Simulation now with highscore board
I’ve added a high score board to the French Revolution simulation, so that teachers can quickly get a full set of marks for students at the end of a lesson.
UN Debate on Partition of the Middle East: Roleplay
Three people in the class will be in role as members of the UN. They will have vote later on which of the proposals presented to them is the most likely to bring lasting peace to the region. The other members of the class are in role as Arabs & Jews. Each pair of people…
5th December 1960 (50 years ago today) Boynton v. Virginia: The U.S. Supreme Court declares segregation in public transit to be illegal.
For more information, follow this link.
UN Debate on the Future of the Middle East: The Reality
In the event, UNSCOP was divided about which of these proposals was the best way forward. The Majority Plan (8 votes) supported partition qualified by economic unity. The Minority Plan (3 votes) supported the federal state solution. In this activity students read through primary sources relating to the decision-makers and decide whether they agree with…
23rd November 1860 (150 years ago today) Billy the Kid was born
No other historical figure from the Old West has stirred up more controversy and eluded historians and biographers than Billy the Kid alias William H. Bonney. This young man in his short life has established his place in history and legend, but there is more to the myth there’s the man, which in my opinion…
World War One Battlefields Tour: Itinerary and Resources
WW1 Battlefields Tour Resources Following the successful conclusion of a school Battlefields Trip with 34 students in Years 11-12, I’ve uploaded my full itinerary, with worksheets, teacher notes, Google Earth Tour and so on. I hope this is useful for other teachers developing / constructing their own visit.
1066 and the Battle of Hastings Simulation – now with a live “leaderboard”!
The popular 1066 simulation now comes complete with a “leaderboard” so that teachers can monitor the performance of the class “live” during the game.
20th November 1910 (100 years ago today) Tolstoy died
A century ago, Leo Tolstoy – perhaps the greatest novelist of all time – died at a remote train station. He had embarked on a journey to find the simple life he believed in – partly due to early German influences…[more]
UN Debate on the Future of the Middle East: Roleplay Investigation
In 1947, UNSCOP (the United Nations Special Committee on Palestine) was given the task of working out a proposal for the future of Palestine. They considered 6 possible courses of action. In this activity students will consider the advantages and disadvantages of the schemes they put forward and decide if they settled upon the correct…
Historical Anniversaries for December 2010
• The following list provides important anniversaries that could be commemorated in 2010. • It can be used by teachers preparing assemblies, extension tasks and one-off lessons. • I am limiting the list to multiples of 50 years (1960 (50 years ago today), 1910 (100 years ago today), 1860 (150 years ago today) etc). •…
8th November 1960 (50 years ago today) United States presidential election, 1960 (50 years ago today): In a close race, John F. Kennedy is elected over Richard M. Nixon, becoming (at 43) the youngest man elected President.
On November 22, 1963, when he was hardly past his first thousand days in office, John Fitzgerald Kennedy was killed by an assassin’s bullets as his motorcade wound through Dallas, Texas. Kennedy was the youngest man elected President; he was the youngest to die…[more]
Telescopic Topic: The Middle East Conflict from 1914-47 [interactive]
A useful recap / revision exercise: this timeline is presented in a “collapsible” format for ease of access.
Telescopic Topic: The Weimar Republic
A collapsible online revision list covering all the main aspects of Weimar Germany, a key GCSE/IGCSE topic. A great revision tool.
30th October 1960 (50 years ago today) Michael Woodruff performs the first successful kidney transplant in the United Kingdom, at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.
MICHAEL WOODRUFF, one of the pioneer surgeons in transplantation, was undoubtedly a lateral thinker, a most unusual trait in a surgeon and one illustrated no better than by his outstanding work on dietetic deficiencies while a prisoner in the notorious Changi camp in Singapore during the Second World War….[more]
Simon de Montfort and the Cathars
A decision making worksheet exercise complete with teacher answer sheet is now available here.
Timeline Challenge: The Arab-Israeli Conflict 1939-47 [interactive]
The teacher can ensure that students have covered the most important events in an appropriate amount of depth by playing this interactive, whole-class quiz using an interactive whiteboard.
25th October 1760 (250 years ago today) George II of England died
George was elector of Hanover and second Hanoverian king of Great Britain and Ireland. George was born in Hanover, Germany on 10 November 1683, the only son of the elector of Hanover. In 1705 he married Princess Caroline of Brandenburg-Ansbach, and they had nine children…[more]
19th October 1810 (200 years ago today) Cassius Clay, anti-slavery campaigner, was born
Cassius Marcellus Clay (October 19, 1810 – July 22, 1903), nicknamed “The Lion of White Hall”, was an emancipationist from Madison County, Kentucky, United States. He was a cousin of Henry Clay and Alabama governor Clement Comer Clay…[more]
17th October 1610 (400 years ago today) Louis XIII of France was crowned
Louis XIII of France was born in 1601 and died in 1643. Louis was the son of Henry IV and Marie de Medici. He was king from 1610 on, the year of his father’s assassination. His monarchy was dominated by the careers of the Duke de Luynes and Cardinal Richelieu. His monarchy saw an expansion…
17th October 1660 (350 years ago today) The 10 Regicides are hanged, drawn and quartered.
A special court was appointed and in October 1660 those Regicides who were still alive and living in Britain were brought to trial. Ten were found guilty and were sentenced to be hung, drawn and quartered. This included Thomas Harrison, John Jones, John Carew and Hugh Peters. Others executed included Adrian Scroope, Thomas Scot, Gregory…
Castle Building Simulation – Now with a Leaderboard!
The popular Year 7 / 8 History Game, “Build you own Medieval Castle”, now has a leaderboard which displays the class scores “live” on the whiteboard as the game progresses for added interest.
Why did Britain decide to pull out of the Palestinian Mandate in 1947?
Using syllabus points and past examination questions, students start to form an independent judgement on the key question. They will also be required to focus on a short period to research in-depth and report back to the class (here is a sample Prezi Presentation that can be used as a guide). There are two sets…
Historical Anniversaries for November 2010
• The following list provides important anniversaries that could be commemorated in 2010. • It can be used by teachers preparing assemblies, extension tasks and one-off lessons. • I am limiting the list to multiples of 50 years (1960 (50 years ago today), 1910 (100 years ago today), 1860 (150 years ago today) etc). •…
The July Crisis: Decision-Making Exercise
The overall result was the July Crisis and the outbreak of World War One; in this exercise students learn about the crisis through a decision-making exercise which gets them thinking in terms of who was responsible. The teacher version is important for this lesson.
History Mysteries: The Franklin Expedition
The “History Mystery” approach helps students to formulate questions, work with primary sources, develop essay skills, and improve groupwork abilities. Through roleplay, picture analysis, written source evaluation, individual research and groupwork, students engage in genuine historical mysteries and produce a coherent and accomplished final report. I plan to develop a range of these exercises in…
What were the main developments in the Middle East between 1939-47?
Students watch this short video and refer to their textbooks to develop a new timeline focusing heavily on the period 1939-47.
Trench Warfare Simulation: Now with a live Highscore board
I’ve updated the popular “Life in the Trenches” simulation so that students’ ongoing scores are automatically recorded in a highscore board throughout the lesson. The highscore board can be viewed by students and teachers throughout the lesson for added interest and competition, and the teacher can use its results as an instant markbook!
29th September 1810 (200 years ago today) Elizabeth Gaskell was born
Gaskell was a Victorian novelist, also notable for her biography of her friend Charlotte Brontë…[more]
27th September 1960 (50 years ago today) Sylvia Pankhurst died
Sylvia Pankhurst, the daughter of Dr. Richard Pankhurst and Emmeline Pankhurst, was at Drayton Terrace, Old Trafford, Manchester on 5th May, 1882. Her father was a committed socialist and a strong advocate of women’s suffrage. He had been responsible for drafting an amendment to the Municipal Franchise Act of 1869 that had resulted in unmarried…
26th September 1960 (50 years ago today) Richard M. Nixon and John F. Kennedy, participate in the first televised presidential debate.
Presidential Debate 1960On 26 September 1960, 70 million U.S. viewers tuned in to watch Senator John Kennedy of Massachusetts and Vice President Richard Nixon in the first-ever televised presidential debate. It was the first of four televised “Great Debates” between Kennedy and Nixon. The first debate centered on domestic issues. The high point of the…
IB Higher Level History Task: To what extent did Britain make conflicting promises about the future of the Middle East during World War One?
This exercise involves students comparing and contrasting the Balfour Declaration, th The Sykes-Picot Agreement and the Hussein-MacMahon Correspondence. They could watch too this short video covering the interwar period. There are also teacher notes available for this activity.
Causes of World War Simulation
I’ve now added a HighScore board to the simulation – in other words an instant markbook for teachers to access at the end of the session. Any scores submitted within a one-hour period are displayed and can be copied into a markbook. Click the “Leaderboard” option to see how it works.
Standard Level Task: Why was the Ottoman Empire unable to contain the Arab Revolt of 1916?
This task introduces students to the interesting character of TE Lawrence, and also deepens their knowledge on the subject of “The Impact of World War One”, which is a core Standard Level Paper 2 topic.
Historical Anniversaries for October 2010
• The following list provides important anniversaries that could be commemorated in 2010. • It can be used by teachers preparing assemblies, extension tasks and one-off lessons. • I am limiting the list to multiples of 50 years (1960 (50 years ago today), 1910 (100 years ago today), 1860 (150 years ago today) etc). •…
Timeline Challenge: The Arab-Israeli Conflict up to 1939
The teacher can ensure that students have covered the most important events in an appropriate amount of depth by playing this interactive, whole-class quiz using an interactive whiteboard.
Timeline of the Arab-Israeli Conflict up to 1939
Using video, web and textbook sources, students start developing a timeline overview of the Middle East Conflict up to 1945. This image could be used as a teaching aid to clarify the borders of the Palestinian Mandate.
Causes of the Spanish Civil War
A collapsible list of essential revision points covering political, religious, economic, social and regional points.
26th August 1910 (100 years ago today) – Mother Teresa was born
By the 1970s, she was internationally famed as a humanitarian and advocate for the poor and helpless, due in part to a documentary and book Something Beautiful for God by Malcolm Muggeridge. She won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 and India’s highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna, in 1980 for her humanitarian work. Mother…
Introduction to the Middle East Conflict
A class brainstorm about what students already know about the Arab-Israeli conflict is followed by a preliminary write-up. This worksheet could be followed by (a) Going through this PowerPoint Presentation followed by this short video about 9/11. (b) watching this YouTube Video for extra notes.
Causes for the Collapse of Communism
A collapsible revision list of essential information.
17th August 1960 (50 years ago today) – The trial of U-2 pilot Francis Gary Powers begins in Moscow.
The 1960 U-2 incident occurred during the Cold War on May 1, 1960, during the presidency of Dwight D. Eisenhower and during the leadership of Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev, when an American U-2 spy plane was shot down over Soviet Union airspace. The United States government at first denied the plane’s purpose and mission, but…
Historical Anniversaries for September 2010
• The following list provides important anniversaries that could be commemorated in 2010. • It can be used by teachers preparing assemblies, extension tasks and one-off lessons. • I am limiting the list to multiples of 50 years (1960 (50 years ago today), 1910 (100 years ago today), 1860 (150 years ago today) etc). •…
13th August 1910 (100 years ago today) – Florence Nightingale died
The Florence Nightingale museum is a good place to start learning about the famous nurse. You may also like to listen to this rare recording of Nightingale speaking in 1890.
13th August 1860 (150 years ago today) – Annie Oakley was born
Annie Oakley (August 13, 1860 – November 3, 1926), born Phoebe Ann Mosey, was an American sharpshooter and exhibition shooter. Oakley’s amazing talent and timely rise to fame led to a starring role in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show, which propelled her to become the first American female superstar…[wikipedia article]
10th August 1810 (200 years ago today) – Cavour was born
Camillo Paolo Filippo Giulio Benso, Count of Cavour, of Isolabella and of Leri (August 10, 1810 – June 6, 1861) was a leading figure in the movement toward Italian unification. He was the founder of the original Italian Liberal Party and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Piedmont-Sardinia, a position he maintained (except for a…
*The Middle East c.1914-1967: Complete Study Units / Teacher Notes for IB!*
I’ve just completed uploading a complete scheme of work – worksheets, interactivities, teacher notes – for a new study unit for IB / A-Level on the Middle East. 1914-47 1947-1949 1956: Suez 1967: 6-Day War …more will follow in due course as I teach further into the unit next year!
James Spod: Undercover in Mussolini’s Italy
In this brand new simulation, learn about the political, economic and social landscape of Fascist Italy as you fly across the British Channel and journey around Italy on a mission to assassinate Mussolini!
6th August 1660 (350 years ago today) – Velazquez Died
Diego Rodríguez de Silva y Velázquez (June 6, 1599 – August 6, 1660) was a Spanish painter who was the leading artist in the court of King Philip IV. He was an individualistic artist of the contemporary Baroque period, important as a portrait artist. In addition to numerous renditions of scenes of historical and cultural…
Channel Listings for History Programmes on UK TV and Radio
I’ve just finished writing a new program which goes through the main UK TV / Radio channels and lists all upcoming history programmes for the next three days. Check it out here!
Mussolini and Italian Fascism: Factual Tests
Choose from the following two options 20 Factual Questions Complete the gaps exercise
Essay planning: Mussolini’s Domestic Policies
Essay Planning Task A worksheet which guides students through the steps of writing an effective essay on Mussolini’s domestic policies
Mussolini and Fascist Italy
Research Task: Short Version Eight main policy areas will be researched (students later boil these down to five, then link them). The teacher will provide details on the first one using a model research piece and students should make notes. The class will then research the other rows and feedback with their findings.
Introductory Prezi: Mussolini and Fascist Italy
A brief overview of the main themes and the key events. Students should take notes!
18th July 1610 (400 years ago today) Michelangelo and Caravaggio died
Two of the greatest artists of the Renaissance.
Mussolini and Fascist Italy: Overview
Mussolini (a former schoolteacher and socialist) was appointed prime minister in October 1922 . As Duce (leader), he initially headed a coalition of Fascists and nationalists, but soon assumed dictatorial powers, although muted parliamentary opposition continued until the murder of Matteotti in 1924. As an extension activity, read through Mussolini’s answer to the question “What…
Historical Anniversaries for August 2010
• The following list provides important anniversaries that could be commemorated in 2010. • It can be used by teachers preparing assemblies, extension tasks and one-off lessons. • I am limiting the list to multiples of 50 years (1960 (50 years ago today), 1910 (100 years ago today), 1860 (150 years ago today) etc). •…
Theory of Knowledge
It has been said that “all history is contemporary history” (Croce) and “History tells us more about the person who wrote it than about the people being written about” (Carr). In this sense, works of history themselves become sources for later generations of historians! In this session, we will look at the three broad interpretations…
11th July 1960 (50 years ago today) Harper Lee releases her critically acclaimed novel To Kill a Mockingbird
Nelle Harper Lee (born April 28, 1926) is an American author, best known for her 1960 novel To Kill a Mockingbird. She was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom of the United States for her contribution to literature in 2007…[more]
The Historians and their Sources
Sources are incomplete, untypical and unreliable, as we found out in our last session. Historians therefore need to: Select sources to use, based on what questions need answering; Interpret those sources and make deductions from them; Organise and present their main conclusions to the public. Arguably, this process of selection and interpretation distorts our “knowledge”…
Historiography: The Historians and their Sources
The first way in which we gain knowledge of the past is through historical evidence (“sources”). Two questions raise themselves: How can we extract knowledge from the sources? (issues of quality and quantity) How useful is the knowledge that we extract in this way? (issues of comprehensibility and the ‘language gap’) [Student worksheet | Extension…
6th July 1960 (50 years ago today) Aneurin Bevan died
Aneurin Bevan was one of the most important ministers of the post-war Labour government and the chief architect of the National Health Service…[more]
5th July 1810 (200 years ago today) Phineas T. Barnum was born
Barnum is widely but erroneously credited with coining the phrase “There’s a sucker born every minute.”…[more]
Theory of Knowledge in History
Why and How is History Produced? – student worksheet and teacher notes to help deliver a historiography course.
4th July 1910 (100 years ago today) African-American boxer Jack Johnson defeats James J. Jeffries (Film!)
As a result of this heavyweight boxing match, race riots broke out across the United States. YouTube Video
4th July 1910 (100 years ago today) Schiaparelli died
Prolific Italian astronomer whose research ranged widely but whose name is forever associated with Mars, and the controversy over the Martian “canals” which, unwittingly, he helped to unleash…[more]
MazeGame: The Chinese Civil War and the Rise of Mao
Meet some of the key characters relating to the topic, learn about some of the key documents and artefacts, and take a series of tests before being given an overall score in this decision-making adventure.
1st July 1860 (150 years ago today) Charles Goodyear died
Goodyear’s discovery of what came to be known as vulcanization strengthened rubber so it could be applied to a vast variety of industrial uses, including, eventually, automobile tyres…[more]