Classroom Posters: 24 Key Terms for Historians Two dozen defined terms, designed to be laminated and placed around the classroom for older students.
Author: Russel Tarr
Historical Anniversaries for February 2010
• Here are the major events to commemorate in lessons, assemblies and extension tasks in February 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…
Historical Anniversary – 100 Years ago today…
The United Kingdom “Peers v. People” General Election: 15th Jan. 1910.
Historical Anniversary – 75 Years ago today…
The Saar Plebiscite: The Saar, which had been given to France for 15 years by the Treaty of Versailles after World War One, voted overwhelmingly to return to Germany. One of Hitler’s earliest foreign policy successes, this event returned territory to Germany whose raw materials were immensely important for Hitler’s re-armament plans.
Why did Germany Lose World War One?
Students then use this interactive essay planning tool to submit a suggested way of linking the four factors, and get – at the simple click of a button – a very detailed model essay plan suggesting not only the content of each paragraph but also – crucially – how they should be linked together. In…
Historical Anniversary – 200 Years ago today…
The marriage of Napoleon Bonaparte and Josephine was annulled: 10th Jan. 1810.
Henry VIII Wheel of Life
Students rate Henry VIII according to various criteria and “join the dots” in this diagram to produce a “Wheel of Life”. Space is provided for students to explain their reasoning.
Historical Anniversary – 400 Years ago today…
Galileo Galilei discovered the moons of Jupiter: 7th Jan. 1610.
King Henry VIII: Classroom Roleplay Lesson
This roleplay exercise divides the class into three teams – prosecution, defence, and judges. The prosecution and the defence gather evidence and prepare their case whilst the judges select some surprise exhibits to use in the trial. The trial itself should be a lively lesson which encourages students to make deductions and question the reliability…
Historical Anniversary – 50 Years ago today…
Albert Camus, author of “The Plague”, died (4th Jan. 1960).
For those of you who use Twitter
I’ve just created this page which provides a list of the various Twitter accounts I use to share information about Activehistory, Classtools, History in the Headlines and Education Technology in the classroom. If you’re a Twitter user, feel free to follow any or all of them!
The Bayeux Tapestry: Teacher Notes
A new teacher helpsheet designed to accompany the interactive simulation and student workpack here.
ActiveHistory on Facebook
I’ve just set up this Facebook page for ActiveHistory.co.uk to provide its users with another way of keeping on top of what’s being added to the site. At the moment it’s just pulling in updates from the site blog, but I’m interested to see if the ability to comment on posts / start discussions turns…
Cuban Missile Crisis Sourcework Exercise
A new resource for IGCSE history – Cuban Missile Crisis Sourcework Exercise.
Consequences of the Cuban Missile Crisis
A worksheet for IGCSE History on the Consequences of the Cuban Missile Crisis.
The Trial of King Louis XVI: Roleplay Exercise
Classroom Roleplay: The Trial of King Louis XVI A one-hour lesson. The class is organised into prosecution, defence and judges and each one has a specific task to prepare for the trial. The roleplay itself is a lively activity which forces the students to think on their feet and critically evaluate the evidence prior to…
Top 10 History Films in my school library, 2009
At the International School of Toulouse, we’ve got a library of 150 or so feature films related to historical themes. The most frequently borrowed by students this year were as follows: Most Frequently Borrowed A Knight’s Tale (Medieval Warfare, Chivalry) Marie-Antoinette (French Revolution) Land and Freedom (Spanish Civil War) Cinderella Man (The Great Depression) The…
Causes of the Cuban Missile Crisis
A new worksheet for IGCSE history.
Causes of the French Revolution: Essay-Planning Task
Essay-Planning Task This worksheet is designed to be used in conjunction with the mid-unit assessment in this unit. Students compare, contrast and connect 6 key factors to produce a detailed essay plan.
The Reichstag Fire: Roleplay Lesson
The Reichstag Fire Roleplay exercise A roleplay exercise designed to take place over a one-hour lesson. Students investigate the evidence and reliability of the main witnesses after dividing into prosecution and defence teams. A separate team of judges prepare “surprise evidence” for each side. This teacher promptsheet is also necessary.
Anniversaries for January 2010
• Here are the major events to commemorate in lessons, assemblies and extension tasks in January 2010. • To receive each month’s anniversaries a couple of weeks in advance, follow the ActiveHistory Anniversaries RSS feed. • To add to this list for this or other months, please contact me with your suggestion or send a…
Origins of World War One – The “Big Brother House”
The tensions between the major powers prior to World War One are outlined using the scenario of a shared house in this worksheet.
Study Guide: The Causes of World War One
An introduction to the relevance of the topic.
Events of the French Revolution: Decision-Making Simulation
Part 2 of the French Revolution simulation. It is 1789. You are the French aristocrat, the Count of Camembert. You are an advisor to King Louis XVI of France. Your job is to give him good advice when he faces difficult decisions. The game is complete with sound effects and a worksheet.
Causes of the French Revolution: Decision-Making Simulation
A major update to this popular simulation, which now includes sound effects and improved playability. Students journey around pre-revolutionary France and provide advice to the King in the hope of saving his dynasty. Worksheets provided.
An Interview with Kaiser Wilhelm II
An extension / homework activity designed to help students understand a little more about the complex personality of Wilhelm II.
Western Front – Google Maps Tour
An itinerary for a tour of the World War One Battlefields of Ypres and the Somme.
Menin Gate: Worksheet
A worksheet to accompany the battlefields trip.
World War One Battlefields Tour in Google Earth
A suggested itinerary for a Battlefields Tour in Ypres and the Somme, in Google Earth.
Origins of World War One: Essay Planning Tool
A new activity – CLICK HERE! How can I use this tool in class? a. Students should each spend 10-15 minutes reading through various essay plans. Particularly convincing essay plans should be COPIED and PASTED into a Word Processor. b. Then, students spend a further 5 minutes settling upon their favourite essay plan. The others…
Origins of World War One: Austria v. Serbia: Imperialism and Nationalism
The assassination at Sarajevo was merely the flashpoint of a much deeper conflict between Serbia and Austria, as explained here…
Events of the Vietnam War
A new resource for IGCSE history – Events of the Vietnam War.
The Assassination at Sarajevo
The spark which started World War One. What happened?
Anniversaries
I’m just setting up a new facility on the site whereby every month you will be presented with a list of 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…
The Decline and Collapse of Soviet Control over Eastern Europe
I have put together a new section on the website covering “The Decline and Collapse of Soviet Control over Eastern Europe”, which is the compulsory sourcework paper for IGCSE History, Summer 2010. I plan to teach this unit to my students at the International School of Toulouse in the New Year as their final topic….
Heraldry: Design your own Coat of Arms Online
Design your own coat of arms by answering a series of detailed questions about your personality and interests. The computer uses the information to design your shield, choose the colour scheme, and recommend the symbols you should use. A great classroom project which turns into a brilliant display of finished projects!
Origin of Surnames Worksheet
An updated version of the Year 7 History Worksheet; now included is a template map of the UK (for students to plot names relating to places) and a diamond9 diagram for students to plot profession-based surnames in rank order of status.
How to Create a Family Tree
Year 7 History students create their own family tree after analysing that of The Simpsons cartoon characters using this worksheet.
History Essay Planning Tool
History Essay Planner This tool from ActiveHistory helps you to plan History essays! Simply COPY and PASTE your essay questions into this box and press “submit” (if you submit more than one, each should start on a new line). The computer will then provide you with an essay plan for each question! Lesson idea: BEFORE…
The Trial of King Charles I: Primary Source Analysis
Students read transcripts of the trial to consider what they tell us about the King, his prosecutors and the attitude of those present. This resource can be found within this complete Key Stage 3 History Study Unit on the English Civil War.
Educational Games and Quizzes – Database
Classtools.net now has an archive of user-submitted quizzes and games that can be searched by subject or by template type!
History in the Headlines
The latest “History in the Headlines“! This newsfeed is updated (almost!) daily. It provides a hand-selected digest of the automated newsfeed at ClassPress.net. This provides a great way of adding contemporary relevance to your classroom studies. Why not print some of the articles out and stick them on a news board? Or get your students…
Year 8 History Revision Quizzes
A selection of quizzes and activities designed to help Year 8 History students revise the year’s work prior to their summer exams.
Medieval Realms Revision Activities
In this exercise students organise slips of information into appropriate categories, reduce them down to just 15, and use them to answer the question “Was Life Good or Bad in the Middle Ages?”. They work in teams of two or three, and at various points during the exercise the teacher will test each team with…
Songs for the History Classroom: British Empire, Slavery and Civil Rights
I’m just having a play with Grooveshark.com to see if I can create some playlists for use in the classroom…!
The Execution of King Charles I, 1649
The Execution of King Charles I: Film and Primary Source Analysis How accurately has the event been depicted in films such as Cromwell (1970) and To Kill a King (2002)? The video clips are accessible at YouTube: [Cromwell (1970)] [To Kill a King (2002)]
Year 9 History Revision
A selection of quizzes and activities designed to help Year 9 History students revise the year’s work prior to their summer exams.
History Essay Marker
This tool from ActiveHistory helps to mark your history essays! Simply COPY and PASTE your essay question and your essay into the boxes below. The computer will then provide you with detailed feedback about your essay!
Create your own interactive newsfeed!
The interactive newsfeeds on ActiveHistory are an effective way of getting the narrative of important events across to students in an engaging manner. I have now launched an interface which allows you to create your own – try it out here!
Interactive Newsfeed: The Events of the Spanish Civil War
Students complete this worksheet using the interactive newsfeed activity, and then categorise the information thematically to begin analysing the causes for Franco’s victory.
Introduction to the Spanish Civil War
“Introduction: The Outcome of the Spanish Civil War was by no means a foregone conclusion” This worksheet will later be used as the basis for the introduction to the main essay “Why did Franco win the Spanish Civil War?”
The Trial of King Charles I: Film Analysis
How accurately has the event been depicted in films such as Cromwell (1970) and To Kill a King (2002)? The lesson can be accompanied by the second part of the Prezi Presentation.The video clips are embedded within it, but they are also accessible at YouTube: [Cromwell (1970)] [To Kill a King (2002)]. This resource can…
Using Twitter in Education: Tweetclubs.net
I’ve just finished work on a new Twitter Application called TweetClubs.net. It searches Twitter for particular words / hashtags being used in Twitter posts. HOWEVER – Unlike the standard Twitter Search function, it then organises them so you can see at a glance who has been tweeting about a particular topic, how frequently, and view…
The Events of the English Civil War
An overview of the main events of the English Civil War is provided, and a discussion takes place as to whether the King should be put on trial. The lesson can be accompanied by the first part of a Prezi Presentation. This resource can be found within this complete Key Stage 3 History Study Unit…
King Charles I: Venn Diagram
A thematic analysis of the problems leading up to the outbreak of the English Civil War. This resource can be found within this complete Key Stage 3 History Study Unit on the English Civil War.
King Charles I: Timeline Analysis
A chronological analysis of the problems leading up to the outbreak of the English Civil War. This resource can be found within this complete Key Stage 3 History Study Unit on the English Civil War.
Medieval Images of Hell – Video
A short video I put together for my Year 7 students as a “starter” to their studies of views of Hell in the Middle Ages.
King Charles I: Overview Decision Making Game
Students play as King Charles I and try to avoid taking the country into a Civil War. Comes complete with a worksheet and follow-up activities. This resource can be found within this complete Key Stage 3 History Study Unit on the English Civil War.
Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot
An in-depth investigation into the Gunpowder plot making use of primary source materials to help students decide whether the Catholics were “framed”. There is a PowerPoint Slide could be used as a starter to the lesson, and there a Fling the Teacher Quiz which can be used as a factual test. This resource can be…
King James I: An Overview
Students consider the personality and policies of King James I as a long-term explanation for the outbreak of the Civil War. This resource can be found within this complete Key Stage 3 History Study Unit on the English Civil War.
Causes of the English Civil War: Powerpoint lesson starter
A series of images and short textual points designed to generate student interest. What was the Civil War? Why is it important to study? This resource can be found within this complete Key Stage 3 History Study Unit on the English Civil War.
Why did Germany and her Allies Lose the First World War?
Essay Project: Linking and prioritising, writing up the essay Students then use this worksheet to spot connections between the major themes rather than simply discuss each one in isolation.
Who Killed King William Rufus?
Analyse and categorise the evidence to solve this medieval mystery!
End of Topic Debate: Was William the Conqueror a Hero or a Villain?
The class is divided into two groups to debate the key question in the format of a courtroom trial.
Classroom Posters – the 20th Century
From the first powered flight at Kitty Hawk, through to Boris Yeltsin making a fool of himself after too much vodka: 27 posters highlighting key events caught on the camera in the 20th Century. A full set of poster resources can be found on this page.
Quotes about History – Classroom posters
“Study History, Study History! In History lies all the secrets of statecraft!” – plus 19 more motivational quotes about the noble subject. A full set of poster resources can be found on this page.
History Classroom Posters
Was the Black Death a blessing in disguise? Was Victoria’s Empire racist? – 15 key questions, with illustrations, to put up around the classroom. A full set of poster resources can be found on this page.
Celebrity History Graduates: Posters
Print these off onto A3, get them laminated and stuck up around the room, then point at them whenever any student asks “What can you do with a history degree?”
Famous History Graduates
An image of 27 well-known History graduates. The appropriate point at which to watch this video is made clear in the PowerPoint presentation above. Get the class into teams. Each team will take it in turns to name a different face. Teams are “knocked out†when they run out of ideas. The winning team will…
GCSE Modern World History – Google Earth Tour
After watching the film, students should watch this Google Earth Tour and list the 10 key personalities shown in it based on what they learned from the film. As the tour progresses, give some clues / anecdotes about each character to maintain interest. Award merits to the best scoring students in the class. A full…
GCSE Modern World History – Video!
A three-minute video I put together to give students an overview of some of the main events and personalities of the 20th Century. The appropriate point at which to watch this video is made clear in the PowerPoint presentation above. Before students watch the film, warn them that there will be a quick factual test…
Choosing History at GCSE: PowerPoint
A comprehensive PowerPoint presentation which forms the basis of the lesson. Packed with loads of useful information about famous history graduates, skills and content covered by the GCSE Modern World History Course. Activities and discussion points are sprinkled throughout to maintain interest and engagement. Full materials for Year 9 options can be found here.
Why did Germany and her Allies Lose World War One?
Essay Project: Gathering the Information [interactive] Students begin by using interactive running dictation exercise to complete this worksheet. This will enable them to get a thorough grounding in the political, military, cultural and economic reasons why Germany and her allies lost World War One. It will also get them to consider whether Allied strengths, or…
Origins of the British Empire
An example of how Xtranormal can be used as a learning tool: this project was produced as a homework project by one of my Year 9 students.
Year 8 Civil War Projects
As part of their studies of the Causes of the English Civil War, Year 8 historians produced a project in the format of their choice. Here is Mark’s outstanding effort, which earned him a commendation. Here are some other examples of great projects in the form of “Chatshow Debates” created using Xtranormal: Warren | Lucy
The Wall Street Crash Simulation
A completely overhauled version of the simulation game about the Wall Street Crash. Students are presented with historically accurate details about the events of the 1920s and decide whether to buy or shares at each stage. A great way of analysing the causes and events of the crash; complete with a worksheet.
Hitler’s Foreign Policy: Simulation
A new decision-making simulation about Hitler’s Foreign Policy and the Origins of World War Two. By playing this game you will learn about how Hitler’s policies led to World War Two, and consider whether this war could have been prevented. There are three worksheets to go with this activity, which easily fills a full one-hour…
My ICT Memories….!
Recently posted on Andrew Field’s site – oh, the nostalgia!
Year 9 History – Expansion, Trade and Industry
A new workpack to accompany the Coalbrookdale Interactive Census. This completely stand-alone workpack provides 5-6 hours worth of lessons and is a great way to develop sourcework analysis skills.
Turning Page Generator
A new template designed for ActiveHistory’s sister website, www.classtools.net.
Venn Diagram Template
Newly updated: create 2-circle as well as 3-circle venn diagrams at www.classtools.net
Using Facebook in the Classroom
I’m always keen to make use of technologies which students are obsessed with – and one of the most popular is Facebook. I had the idea that the “newsfeed” feature offered fantastic opportunities to produce timelines of topic-based events in an engaging way. Take a look at this “Causes of the Russian Revolution” Facebook Newsfeed….
Flashcard Generator
A new Flashcard Generator template designed for www.classtools.net.
League of Nations – End of Unit Essay Task
A new League of Nations worksheet for IGCSE to accompany the new decision making game.
Agreements Reached Outside the League of Nations
A new League of Nations worksheet for IGCSE to accompany the new decision making game.
League of Nations – Disarmament
A new League of Nations worksheet for IGCSE to accompany the new decision making game.
Prezi: A Quickstart Guide for teachers and students
I am a big fan of Prezi – the web2.0 application that blows PowerPoint clean out of the water in terms of functionality. I’ve been trying it out in class over the past couple of weeks and I’ve been very impressed with it. I’ve put together a Quickstart Guide to Prezi which you can share…
League of Nations – Social Problems
A new League of Nations worksheet for IGCSE to accompany the new decision making game.
League of Nations – Border Disputes – Extension Task
A new League of Nations worksheet for IGCSE to accompany the new decision making game.
The League of Nations – Border Disputes
A new League of Nations worksheet for IGCSE to accompany the new decision making game.
League of Nations – Structural Problems
A new League of Nations worksheet for IGCSE to accompany the new decision making game.
Membership Problems – Extension Task
A new League of Nations worksheet for IGCSE to accompany the new decision making game.
League of Nations – Membership Problems
A new worksheet for IGCSE to accompany the new decision making game.
Aims and Strengths of the League of Nations
A new worksheet for IGCSE to accompany the new decision making game.
Build your own Castle!
A completely updated version of the popular Medieval Realms Castles Game, in which students design their own castle and by so doing learn all about the key features of castle design. New additions to this game include factual questions as the story proceeds, so that the students are given two scores at the end: one…
Culture of the Weimar Republic
A new Fling the Teacher Quiz with 30 randomised questions for GCSE History.
The Black Death – Simulation / Self-Marking Assessment
A brand new simulation – A self-marking assessment testing both factual knowledge and sourcework skills. Students can play the game for as long as they wish, then at the end they are presented with two scores in the form of a certificate, both of which can be handed to the teacher to put into the…
A Twitter / Delicious Mashup Solution
If you use Delicious for social bookmarking, and Twitter for microblogging, it is frequently the case that you wish to send a link to both services. It is rather tedious to have to do both tasks separately: fortunately it is also unnecessary. To send a link to your Delicious and Twitter accounts simultaneously: 1. Bookmark…
The Domesday Book [2]: How useful is it?
This second worksheet encourages students to start thinking about “usefulness” as a sourcework concept by comparing the strengths and weaknesses of this source to that of the Bayeux Tapestry and (if they have studied it) the Luttrell Psalter.
The Domesday Book [1]: What was it?
An introductory worksheet to the Domesday Book – what it was, what it asked, why it was produced.
