“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.
Author: Russel Tarr
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.
The Feudal System
Students have to construct their own diagram of the feudal system based on examples in this powerpoint presentation. A sample piece of work from a former student is available here.
Hereward the Wake Cut ‘n’ Paste Activity
Use Word, Publisher and the net to reconstruct the story of this Saxon resistance fighter and produce their own report (c.1 hour in classroom, can be split into 2 sessions).
Arcade Game Generator
This interface allows you to create 5 Flash quizzes with just one set of questions, completely free of charge!
Causes for Germany’s Defeat in World War One: Quiz
30 possible questions in this quiz based on the information in the worksheets within this unit.
Sourcework Project: Why did Germany and her Allies Lose World War One?
A sourcework exercise in the style of the International Baccalaureate. There is also a generic markscheme and suggestions on how to structure each answer.
Interactive Cartoon Analysis: German involvement in the Spanish Civil War
Five cartoons, 10 questions: students provide their own answers using the writing framework provided, then they can compare their answers alongside model answers which I have written to help them revise. A great way to develop sourcework skills.
German involvement in the Spanish Civil War – Sourcework
A new sourcework exercise complete with markscheme, to accompany the complete scheme of work designed to accompany the IGCSE compulsory sourcework paper for summer 2009.
Social and Economic Impact of the First World War
In this worksheet, students consider the types of questions that come up in the exam, and use the wikis produced by each other to plan and then write an answer.
Economic and Social Impact of World War One
Wiki Project: In this worksheet, students are allocated different research projects about World War One upon which to produce a wiki page [samples available here].
Napoleon Bonaparte: Hero or Villain?
Students conduct a “round robin” exercise, gathering information from their classmates after each student is given just one piece of information from this list. They then have to categorise their points and put them into a diagram using classtools.net.
1066 Quiz
A new end-of-unit quiz for Year 7 students.
The Trial and Execution of King Louis XVI
Primary sources and discussion points relating to the events leading to the death of King Louis XVI (and of Marie-Antoinette).
Tsar Alexander II Essay Planning Task: “To what extent does he deserve his title of the ‘Tsar Liberator’?”
A skeleton essay framework to help students round off the topic of study.
The Flight to Varennes [interactive]
A worksheet to run alongside this innovative activity designed to bring the drama of King Louis XVI’s desperate gamble alive
The Tennis Court Oath
A role-play lesson. Students consider how they would have voted on each of the key issues discussed at the Tennis Court, then compare these to what was actually decided.
The Growth of Political Opposition in the Reign of Alexander II
A detailed handout outlining the growth of political opposition in the reign of Alexander. Students are encouraged to turn this into an illustrated mindmap.
Causes of the French Revolution: Assessment
Students are provided with a list of possible questions for a GCSE-style test. In a subsequent lesson, the teacher should pick one question at random and the students write their answers in a timed exercise.
Tsar Alexander II’s Other Reforms: Introduction
Students get into role as government advisors and consider the merits and drawbacks of various possible reforms. They take a class vote and they can then compare these ideas to what was ultimately decided to reach a deeper judgement on the value of Alexander’s reforms.
Short Term Causes of the French Revolution: Marie-Antoinette
The teacher should start by showing students this PowerPoint Presentation of stills from the Kirsten Dunst film to decide what impression is being created. They then use the worksheet to decide how accurate the interpretation actually is.
The Emancipation of the Serfs: Essay-Planning Task
A skeleton essay framework to help students answer the question “For what reasons, and with what results, did Alexander II Emancipate the Serfs in 1861?”
Short-Term Causes of the French Revolution: King Louis XVI
A good King? A good man? both? neither?! Students reach their verdict after looking at a variety of primary sources.
The Emancipation of the Serfs: Assessment
A structured writing framework designed to help students consolidate their knowledge and understanding thus far.
Mid-Term Causes of the French Revolution: War, Economy, Philosophers
Which of these three were the most important? And what nasty “dirt” can we find out on each of these philosophers to minimise the damage to the King?
The Edict of Emancipation: Sourcework Analysis
Students read through the Edict of Emancipation of 1861 and use it to consider the motives and methods of Tsar Alexander II. In addition, students are asked to consider how he seeks to allay the fears of the nobility.
The Fall of the Bastille: Running Dictation Exercise [interactive]
An innovative activity designed to help students learn about the opening stages of the Revolution. There is a worksheet that can be used to accompany the activity.
The Emancipation of the Serfs: Events
The stages of the Emancipation of the Serfs are covered in this worksheet.
Why does the French Revolution Matter? – Teacher PowerPoint Starter
A presentation designed to generate student interest and establish the relevance of the subject.
The Emancipation of the Serfs: Dangers
The benefits of Emancipation are obvious – so why did it take so long for the Tsars to carry out the programme, and why did the prospect generate so much opposition? This worksheet gets students in role to consider the possible drawbacks of various courses of action.
Tsar Alexander II: Conclusion
Students are required to produce an obituary – either positive or negative – in this structured task.
The Emancipation of the Serfs: Causes
Students consider the main problems facing Imperial Russia when Alexander became Tsar, and how each of these could be improved by the Emancipation of the Serfs. A good way of providing an overview of the situation, and of encouraging students to link factors.
Alexander II: An Introduction
Students consider accounts about the assassination of Tsar Alexander II to start considering why he was a figure who divides historical opinion.
Worst Jobs in History
A totally updated version of this interactive, self-contained game designed to teach students about some of the worst jobs available to young people in Victorian, Tudor and Middle Ages Britain. Simply answer a series of questions about your personality and preferences, and get a full description of your perfect working-class job. A workheet is provided…
Create a Map of Imperial Russia
In this worksheet, students are given a list of cities, regions and natural features in Imperial Russia, a knowledge of which is essential for an understanding of the topic. They then have to produce a labelled, colour-coded map which they will be able to refer back to throoughout their studies.
World War One Simulation: Life in the Trenches
A brand new release of this popular decision-making game for GCSE History. In this game you will be a British soldier who joins the army in 1914 to fight the Germans. You will have to make decisions in tough circumstances. At the end you will be given a score. By playing this game you will…
Political Quiz: Am I Labour, Conservative, Liberal Democract?
A new version of the comprehensive decision making exercise, with a facility for class results to be emailed as a batch to the teacher at the end of the session.
Castles Game
An updated version of the “Attack the Castle!” game for Year 7 Medieval Realms. A game of strategy: Spend your budget on your choice of features, then read a story of how your castle fares when faced with attack! In this new version, students are asked factual knowledge questions as they progress, and then their…
Year 7 Medieval Realms: Was Life Good or Bad in the Middle Ages?
A new lesson plan to accompany the popular Time Machine Journey to the Middle Ages. Students are divided into two groups. The “Good” group approach their argument by producing a tourist brochure highlighting all of the great jobs, places and people in the town and the village. The “Bad” group instead write an angry letter…
Growth of the British Empire: The Triangular Slave Trade
The Trade Triangle is explained and then students produce a “living graph” of the experience on board the ships using www.classtools.net.
NEW GAME: How would you have run the League of Nations?
Be in role as an ambitious civil servant on the make! Complete with two worksheets, this game forms the basis of the topic and thoroughly covers all of the important issues for GCSCE History.
Are you Left-Wing or Right-Wing? – Simulation
This brand new interactive simulation is designed for use within Government and Politics lessons, or as a PSHE activity. The simulation lasts 15 minutes, and the follow-up activities a similar amount of time.
Sourcework Exercise: The Causes of the Spanish Civil War
A selection of sources and questions designed to round off the unit on the Causes of the Spanish Civil War.
Causes of the Spanish Civil War: Introduction and Overview Worksheet
This worksheet helps students understand the significance of the Spanish Civil War. It should be used in conjunction with this PowerPoint Presentation.
Causes of the Spanish Civil War: Quiz
20 Question Factual Test: Designed to test and consolidate knowledge from the previous two activities about the Causes of the Spanish Civil War
Transatlantic Slave Trade – Unit Starter
Students are presented with a series of images of objects, then of people from different continents, and have to deduce from this evidence what the next topic of study is likely to be.
Causes of the Spanish Civil War: Interactive Newsfeed
Students complete a series of notes “against the clock” using this interactive newsfeed activity which gives them a detailed account of the main events in Spanish History leading up to the outbreak of the Civil War in 1936. They then use their completed notes to complete this timeline worksheet, organising their ideas into those which…
The Assassination of Peter Stolypin
For IB / A-Level historians. A primary source account. Was Stolypin the last hope that the Tsarist regime had to survive? Would his reforms have succeeded given “Twenty years of peace”?
How Should we Commemorate the Holocaust?
Students consider the purpose of commemoration and then design their own Holocaust memorial after looking at a wide range of examples from around the world.
GCSE History Paper 1 Markscheme with sample answers re. the Causes of World War One
Although the Causes of World War One will be tested in IGCSE History Paper 2 in Summer 2008, it will also be tested in Paper 1. Reading through this markscheme and the sample answers will be good way to start your history revision process.
The Legacy of the Holocaust: Israel and Palestine
This worksheet encourages students to consider how the Arab-Israeli conflict is in large part Hitler’s Third Reich’s most lasting legacy.
Why did Hitler Hate the Jews?
This worksheet explains not merely why Hitler hated the Jews, but also why the Jews have been persecuted throughout the ages in countries across Europe. Students connect these factors in a flow diagram and categorise them as religious, racial, economic and social. This worksheet is supported by this antisemitic propaganda for children, and antisemitic propaganda…
IGCSE History Paper 2 Sourcework Focus – Markschemes and Sample Answers
Paper 2 Sourcework Focus – Markschemes and Sample Answers Students can read through these sample answers and grade each one. For each question there is a good, average and below average answer. Can they spot which is which and explain why?
Opposition in Nazi Germany
After looking at the different versions of the famous Niemoller poem in the powerpoint starter, Students use the main worksheet to compare how different social groups opposed the Nazis, and then use this information to complete one of several suggested tasks after completing a factual test. My own students produced “Hollywood Trailers” which can be…
Connecting Factors: The Causes of World War Two
With the main themes revised, students now have to connect the Causes of the Second World War together meaningfully and summarise three essential points of information about each theme using this flowchart.
Nazi Religious Policies
Nazi Religious Policies: By means of a venn diagram, students investigate the various ways in which the Nazis tried to control replace and weaken the Catholic and Protestant Churches.
The End of Alexander III’s Reign
This final worksheet covers the last days of Alexander III and invites students to offer some closing judgments about his reign.
A Comparison of Alexander II and Alexander III: Research and Essay Planning Exercise
With the main research now completed, students should begin the process of comparing Alexander III to his father. Is it really fair to say that Alexander II was a reformer, and Alexander III a reactionary? This worksheet enables students to start organising their thoughts and provides a suggested essay framework.
Alexander III: Primary Sources and Questions
The next stage is to conduct some in-depth research based around primary sources from the time which cover some of the big themes: politics, education, the famine, the pogroms. These sources come complete with questions and discussion points to further understanding.
In-Depth Analysis of the Alexander III’s Reign [interactive]
Students make notes from this interactive newsfeed exercise and then organise their findings into various themes and categories using this worksheet. By so doing they start to formulate a view as to how far Alexander’s reputation as a reactionary is deserved.
Countdown Timer
This online countdown timer allows you to choose from a number of tunes!
An Introduction to Tsar Alexander III’s Reign
An overview of the upbringing and the personality of Tsar Alexander III. To what extent will his personality and politics equip him to be a good ruler of 19th Century Russia?
Year 7 History Revision: Timeline worksheet
Revision of Events – A worksheet to accompany the newsfeed exercise; students are given a list of quick-fire events then have to choose 10 of them to place into a timeline to “prove” that the Middle Ages were either a good or a bad time to be alive.
Year 7 History Revision
A worksheet for Year 7 History Students of Medieval Realms. Students go through their notes on each of the key topics studied this year and decide which aspects suggest that life was “Good” during this period, and which aspects suggest life was “Bad”. They then write their findings up as an overall conclusion which distinguishes…
Place name challenge – knockout competition!
An optional lesson for Year 7 History. Students compete to see which group can come up with the most place names from a particular origin. Any repetition, hesitation or incorrect answers knocks them out of the competition.
Surnames from the British Isles – What do they tell us?
Year 7 Students research the origin of surnames of students / teachers in the school and either plot these on a Google Earth map (if the names originate from places) or in a Diamond9 Diagram from www.classtools.net to distinguish between high-status and low-status professions that existed.
Weimar Germany 1918-21 Quizzes
A new set of quizzes on Weimar Germany 1918-21 for GCSE-Level History. Choose from Manic Miner, Wordshoot, Cannonball Fun or Matching Pairs.
