Seeking to score a point against Darwin’s disciples, the Bishop of Oxford unwisely baited Thomas Henry Huxley by enquiring whether he would prefer to think of himself descended from an ape on his grandfather’s or grandmother’s side. According to legend he quickly had his comeuppance. Huxley whispered to a neighbour: “The Lord hath delivered him…
Author: Russel Tarr
Spain under Primo de Rivera
A new version of the Jigsaw-Table Exercise.
Chinese Civil War – Essay Writing Task
Students are presented with three possible essay titles, which the teacher can either divide between the class as a homework task OR one of which can be randomly chosen in a subsequent lesson and answered by the entire class in timed conditions.
Women During World War One
A new and improved version of the Jigsaw-Table exercise.
22nd July 1910 (100 years ago today) A wireless telegraph sent from the S.S. Montrose results in the identification and later arrest and execution of murderer Dr. Hawley Crippen.
This strange and unusual story begins in 1910 London, with 48 year old American born Dr. Hawley Harvey Crippen, MD. (who also enjoyed practicing dentistry) Dr. Crippen was married to Cora, who preferred her stage name ‘Belle Elmore.’ ‘Belle’ was a mediocre theatrical singer in her early 30’s originally from New York and the couple…
Jigsaw Table Exercise: The Chinese Civil War and the Rise of Mao
After the class has had a feedback session based on the individual research tasks, students should complete this interactive exercise which tests their knowledge of the essential points and which additionally provides them with a thorough, completed table of information with which to develop their original notes. Each student is also given a score, which…
The Soviet Union under Khrushchev
A new version of the Jigsaw table exercise.
The Chinese Civil War – Individual Research Task
For the next task, students are provided with a blank version of this grid. Each student is allocated one cell, and use timelines, textbooks and websites to produce a PowerPoint presentation on it. The class should start by going back through the source pack and deciding where and why each source can be placed in…
The Duke of Northumberland
A new and improved version of the Jigsaw-Table exercise.
Historical Anniversaries for July 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). •…
10th June 1910 (100 years ago today) Howlin’ Wolf was born
A legendary bluesman and massive influence upon rock groups such as Led Zeppelin. Take a look at the great man in action here: video.
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.
8th June 1810 (200 years ago today) Schumann was born
Schumann’s parents were not musical but they encouraged his interest in music with Piano lessons from the age of 10. However his family was later to be beset by tragedy. When Schumann was in his teens, his father died and his sister committed suicide in quick succession, events that were to have a deep impact…
Head2Head Virtual Interview with Henry VIII
Now improved with hyperlinks to keywords and an on-screen record of the conversation.
5th June 1910 (100 years ago today) Christopher Cockerell was born
The hovercraft was invented by Christopher Cockerell in 1956. The theory behind one of the most successful inventions of the 20th century, the Hovercraft, was originally tested in 1955 using an empty KiteKat cat food tin inside a coffee tin, an industrial air blower and a pair of kitchen scales. link
Timeline Challenge: The Chinese Civil War and the Rise of Mao
Students are put into teams and play this competitive game which tests their knowledge and develops their understanding.
History Mystery: Antoine de St. Exupery
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.
31st May 1910 (100 years ago today) Elizabeth Blackwell, pioneer for women’s rights, died
Elizabeth Blackwell (3 February 1821 – 31 May 1910) was the first female doctor in the United States. She was the first openly identified woman to graduate from medical school, a pioneer in educating women in medicine in the United States, and was prominent in the emerging women’s rights movement. (from Wikipedia entry).
30th May 1960 (50 years ago today) Boris Pasternak died
Boris Leonidovich Pasternak (Russian: ?????? ??????????? ??????????) (10 February 1890 – 30 May 1960) was a Nobel Prize-winning Russian and Soviet poet, novelist and translator of Goethe and Shakespeare. In Russia, Pasternak is most celebrated as a poet. My Sister Life, written in 1917, is arguably the most influential collection of poetry published in the…
The Rise of Mao Zedong – Analysis of the Events
With the chronological narrative now complete, students should turn their timeline into a thematic analysis using the structure recommended in this worksheet.
27th May 1910 (100 years ago today) Death of Robert Koch
Heinrich Herman Robert Koch (11 December 1843 – 27 May 1910) was a German physician. He became famous for isolating Bacillus anthracis (1877), the Tuberculosis bacillus (1882) and the Vibrio cholerae (1883) and for his development of Koch’s postulates. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his tuberculosis findings in 1905….
Head2Head Virtual Interview with William the Conqueror
Now improved with hyperlinks to 80 keywords and an on-screen record of the conversation.
Chinese Civil War – Timeline – Interactive Newsfeed
Students and teachers can ensure that they have covered the essential information by using this interactive newsfeed, which covers all of the major points in extra detail.
Head2Head Interview with Josef Stalin
Now improved with hyperlinks to 80 keywords and an on-screen record of the conversation.
17th May 1510 (500 years ago today) Botticelli, Renaissance Artist died
For some of Botticelli’s most famous paintings, take a look at this page. Wikipedia also has a good entry.
Timeline of the Chinese Civil War – Overview using Video
After copying down the information from the presentation , students then watch the first 8.5 mins of this video and make detailed notes to develop their basic timeline. Students then develop their timeline by organising it under the following headings and clarifying dates by using textbooks and / or the web: * Background (to 1927)…
Historical Anniversaries for June 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). •…
Decline and collapse of communism in eastern europe
An end-of unit “Fling the Teacher” challenge with 30 possible questions. All students should start the quiz at the same time, with 10 minutes available. Award 10 points to anyone finishing the quiz successfully within the first minute, 9 points to anyone finishing within the second minute, and so on. I build up a “leaderboard”…
15th May 1960 (50 years ago today) Sputnik 4 is launched into Earth orbit
This was a major event in the Cold War as it suggested that the USSR were getting the upper hand in the Space Race. The USA became increasingly paranoid about the threat posed by the Soviet Union.
14th May 1610 (400 years ago today) Henry IV of France was assassinated
Henry was nicknamed Henry the Great (Henri le Grand), and in France is also called le bon roi Henri (“the good king Henry”) or le Vert galant (“the Green gallant”), a reference to both his dashing character and his attractiveness to women. In English he is most often referred to as Henry of Navarre. He…
Decline and Collapse of Soviet Control in Eastern Europe – Role of Gorbachev
An end-of unit “Fling the Teacher” challenge with 30 possible questions. All students should start the quiz at the same time, with 10 minutes available. Award 10 points to anyone finishing the quiz successfully within the first minute, 9 points to anyone finishing within the second minute, and so on. I build up a “leaderboard”…
12th May 1860 (150 years ago today) Charles Barry, architect of the Houses of Parliament in London, died
Other works by Barry include: Manchester City Art Gallery The Treasury Building, Whitehall, London The Royal College of Surgeons, London Bowood, Wiltshire Cliveden, Buckinghamshire Drumlanrig Castle, Dumfries and Galloway Duncombe Park, North Yorkshire Dunrobin Castle, Highland Edgbaston Hall, West Midlands Eynsham Hall, Oxfordshire Gawthorpe Hall, Lancashire Harewood House, West Yorkshire Highclere Park, Hampshire Hinton Manor,…
11th May 1960 (50 years ago today) In Buenos Aires, 4 Mossad agents abduct fugitive Nazi Adolf Eichmann
Eichmann was the most notorious surviving Nazi at this point and one of the architects of the Holocaust during World War Two. He was later put on trial in Israel and then executed.
Introductory Prezi: The Chinese Civil War and the Rise of Mao
A brief overview of the main parties involved and the key events. Students should take notes!
Decline and Collapse of Soviet Control in Eastern Europe – External Factors
An end-of unit “Fling the Teacher” challenge with 30 possible questions. All students should start the quiz at the same time, with 10 minutes available. Award 10 points to anyone finishing the quiz successfully within the first minute, 9 points to anyone finishing within the second minute, and so on. I build up a “leaderboard”…
6th May 1910 (100 years ago today) King Edward VII of England died
King Edward gave his name to the “Edwardian Era” which represents the high-point of British confidence (complacency?) before World War One. He is also the reason why we don’t button up the final button on our waistcoats (if you know your fashion sense…) – because he was too fat to do so, everyone else turned…
6th May 1960 (50 years ago today) President Dwight Eisenhower signs the Civil Rights Act of 1960 into law.
For more on this legislation, have a read of this page.
Chinese Civil War: Keyword Challenge
A new Fruit Machine game created using www.classtools.net.
Worst Jobs in History: Tudors
This Worst Jobs in History simulation can be used as a stand-alone lesson, homework assignment or as part of a broader unit on “Was life Good or Bad during this particular period?”. The worksheet has basic activities for a 30 minute lesson, and extension tasks that could be followed up later.
2nd May 1860 (150 years ago today) Theodore Herzl was born
Herzl was the founder of the Zionist Movement, which campaigned for an independent Jewish State. He is historically important in the context of the Arab-Israeli conflict.
Sourcework Tips: Decline and Collapse of Soviet Control in Eastern Europe
A student handout highlighting the main periods, people and events so that sources can be placed into their correct historical context as specifically as possible.
1st May 1960 (50 years ago today): U2 Spy Plane Incident
A Soviet missile shoots down an American Lockheed U2 spy plane; the pilot Francis Gary Powers is captured.
IGCSE Collapse of Communism – Interactive Cartoon Analysis
In this activity, students analyse 5 separate political cartoons relating to the decline and collapse of communism in Eastern Europe. They are then able to compare their answers to a series of model answers. A useful way of revising the 2010 IGCSE Paper 2 Topic.
Training Day Opportunity from ActiveHistory
On Friday 21st May I’m personally running a one-day teacher-training course on “Web2.0 in the History Classroom”. All delegates will have access to their own computer with internet access and a 2GB memory stick with a full training pack and resources. A restaurant lunch is also included in the course price. The event will take…
The Rise of Mao – Interactive MazeGame
A new decision-making adventure designed to consolidate knowledge about the rise of Chairman Mao.
Quiz: The Rise of Chairman Mao
A new Fling the Teacher Quiz (45 possible questions) designed for IB level.
April 21st 1910 (100 years ago today) Mark Twain, American author, died
For an Edison film of Twain in 1909, click here.
Historical Anniversaries for May 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). •…
Classtools.net Countdown Timer: Now with new tunes!
The popular countdown timer at www.classtools.net has now been developed with several more tunes – check them out here!
How did the War in Afghanistan undermine the USSR?
A Telescopic Topic created using www.classtools.net
Stalin’s Rise to Power
A Telescopic Topic created using www.classtools.net.
Calvin’s Reformation
A Telescopic Topic created using Classtools.net.
History Mystery: The Dreadnought Hoax
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.
Tensions in the Middle East, c.1914-1947
A Telescopic Topic created using Classtools.net.
Eastern Europe: Walesa and Pope John Paul II
In this task students discuss the respective roles of the key individuals and then answer some source work questions about the Solidarity movement.
The Suez Crisis: Historiography and Conclusions
The Suez Crisis: Historiography and Conclusions Students consider an orthodox and revisionist interpretation of the Suez Crisis to consolidate their understanding of this topic and reach an independent judgement. There are teacher notes available for this activity.
The Collapse of Soviet Control in Eastern Europe
Students conduct their own research about how each of the countries in the Eastern Bloc broke away from Soviet rule 1989-91 as part of their IGCSE history studies.
Gorbachev’s Policies: Glasnost and Perestroika
Students complete a table which helps them to assess the problems Gorbachev faced, how he chose to deal with them and how appropriate they consider these policies were.
Historical Anniversary: The Sharpeville massacre in South Africa results in more than 69 dead, 300 injured – 21st March 1960 (50 years ago today)
The Sharpeville Massacre, also known as the Sharpeville shootings, occurred on 21 March 1960, when South African police opened fire on a crowd of black protesters, killing 69 people. The confrontation occurred in the township of Sharpeville, in what is now Gauteng province. [Wikipedia Link]
USA/USSR: Reagan and “Star Wars”
President Ronald Reagan contributed to the decline and fall of the Soviet Union by adopting an aggressive, uncompromising policy towards communism. Students investigate his policies and their impact upon the USSR through a timeline and some source work questions.
Sourcework on the Nuclear Arms Race
Designed to be used as an extension or a homework activity.
Historical Anniversaries for April 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). •…
USA/USSR: The Nuclear Arms Race
Another pressure upon the Soviet Union was the massive cost of keeping up with the United States in terms of nuclear weapons. Students answer questions based around a timeline and as an extension activity conduct some research into the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Problems for the USSR: Afghanistan 1979-89
In this card-sort activity students piece together the causes, course and consequence of the war with Afghanistan, which caused such havoc for the military and the economic position of the Soviet Union.
2010 | Who should you vote for in the UK general election?
CLICK HERE for an interactive simulation to help you decide which party to vote for in the 2010 UK General Election. Rank 10 key issues by order of preference, then decide which party most closely reflects your own views on those issues. You will then be given a profile based on your feedback which suggests…
Worst Jobs in History: Middle Ages
The Middle Ages Worst Jobs in History simulation can be used as a stand-alone lesson, homework assignment or as part of a broader unit on “Was life Good or Bad during this particular period?”. The worksheet has basic activities for a 30 minute lesson, and extension tasks that could be followed up later.
Historical Anniversary: The United States announces that 3,500 American soldiers will be sent to Vietnam: 6th March 1960 (50 years ago today)
This began the military intervention that escalated into the Vietnam War, which lasted until 1973.
Eastern Europe: Rebellions 1956-68
Students investigate the uprisings in Poland, Hungary, East Germany, Czechoslovakia to develop their understanding of the poor socio-economic conditions in the Eastern Bloc.
International Baccalaureate History: Sample Paper 1
Another 1-hour sourcework assignment in the style of the International Baccalaureate syllabus for History, dealing with International Relations 1918-36.
History Mystery: The Franklin Expedition
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.
Social-Economic Problems within the USSR: Sourcework
Some sourcework questions designed to be used as a homework / extension activity.
Social-Economic Problems within the USSR: Chernobyl and Lake Baikal
Students investigate the problems in agriculture, industry and society that plagued the USSR by the 1980s. They look at a number of Soviet jokes from the period and deduce what these tell us about life under Soviet rule.
IB History Curriculum Map
I’ve just made some substantial changes and additions to my IB History curriculum map which is now packed full of useful resources and links.
Social-Economic Problems within the USSR: Underproduction and Demotivation
Students compare and contrast communism and capitalism and produce a written summary outlining the inherent weaknesses of the Soviet system.
Chopin was born: 22nd Feb.1810 (200 years ago today)
Wikipedia Link
Political Tensions within the USSR: The “Gerontocracy”
Students investigate the “Rule by Geriatrics” – Brezhnev, Andropov, Chernenko – and how this lack of flexibility led to the tragedy of the Korean Airliner incident of 1983.
100 Years Ago Today: Douglas Bader, WW2 Fighter Ace, is born
Born 21st Feb. 1910. In 1928, Bader joined the RAF, but, on 14 December 1931 at Woodley airfield near Reading, lost both of his legs in an aircraft crash attempting a slow roll at very low level following jibes about his not wanting to perform aerobatics that day. Bader recovered, undertook refresher training, passed his…
100 Years Ago Today: Old Trafford hosted its first football match
Old Trafford, Manchester United football ground, opened (100 years ago today). The stadium hosted its inaugural game on 19 February 1910, with United playing host to Liverpool. However, the home side were unable to provide their fans with a win to mark the occasion, as Liverpool won 4–3. A journalist at the game reported the…
Political Tensions within the USSR: Dictatorship and Corruption
Students compare and contrast democracy and dictatorship and produce a written summary outlining the inherent weaknesses of the Soviet system.
To what extent was the collapse of communism in the USSR the result of Gorbachev’s policies?
The Decline and Collapse of Soviet Control over Eastern Europe is the compulsory sourcework paper for IGCSE History, Summer 2010. This is a new programme of study on the website which can be used to teach this interesting topic.
Historical Anniversaries for March 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). •…
300 Years Ago Today: Louis XV, King of France, was born
Louis XV, the penultimate King of France, was born: 15th Feb. 1710 (300 years ago today) “Popular legend holds that Louis said, “After me, the flood” (“Après moi, le déluge”). In fact this quotation is more precisely attributed to Madame de Pompadour, although it is not certain that even she ever said it. The remark…
100 Years Ago Today: Winston Churchill becomes Home Secretary
Winston Churchill becomes Home Secretary in Asquith’s Liberal Government: 14th Feb. 1910 (100 years ago today). In this role he notoriously used troops to put down striking miners in South Wales and to assist police during a house siege in Sidney Street in East London in January 1911.
50 Years Ago Today: France tests its first atomic bomb in the Sahara
France tests its first atomic bomb in the Sahara: 13th Feb. 1960 (50 years ago today) Wikipedia Link
Overview: Eastern Europe in 1989
Students are provided with essential terminology and produce their own account of the events of 1989-91 by comparing and making deductions from two maps of Europe during the period.
IB Source Work Paper 1: The Peace Treaties after World War One
A source work paper based on paper 1 of the International Baccalaureate for History.
Why was the Medieval Church so powerful? – Boardgames project
This four-hour unit helps students to understand why religion was so important in the Middle Ages. This leads neatly into a study of the Cathars and the Reformation. Students study why the Church was so powerful in the Middle Ages. They conduct a card-sort exercise, have a game of charades, then work in pairs and…
100 Years Ago Today: The Dreadnought Hoax
100 Years Ago Today: Prince Makalin of Abyssinia and five other members of royalty were welcomed aboard the British battleship HMS Dreadnought. The prince turned out to be prankster Horace de Vere Cole, and the group included Virginia Woolf: 10th Feb 1910. Wikipedia Link
IB History Sourcework Paper: The League and Disarmament
A new 1-hour sourcework assignment in the style of the International Baccalaureate syllabus for History.
Worst Jobs in History: Victorian
This Victorian Worst Jobs in History simulation can be used as a stand-alone lesson, homework assignment or as part of a broader unit on “Was life Good or Bad during this particular period?”. The worksheet has basic activities for a 30 minute lesson, and extension tasks that could be followed up later.
Historical Anniversary – 100 Years ago today…
Thomas Crapper, English inventor of the modern toilet, died: 27th Jan. 1910.
Causes of the Vietnam War – Sourcework
A new resource for IGCSE history – Causes of the Vietnam War – Sourcework.
Historical Anniversary – 100 Years ago today…
Django Reinhardt, jazz guitarist, was was born: 23rd Jan. 1910.
Historiography
I’ve produced this Historiographical Terms Handout for my IB students, just to give them some useful points of reference. Feel free to use it in class – and if you think there’s something obvious I could add / amend / correct please let me know! It covers such themes as intentionalism, structuralism, annales school and…