A step-by-step guide providing students with different strategies for approaching “describe, explain, assess” questions in the GCSE / IGCSE History examination.
Author: Russel Tarr
Writing History Essays at Advanced Level
A teacher’s mark scheme, student advice and some practice exercises for developing history essay writing skills.
GCSE / IGCSE History Exam Skills: Causes of World War One
After marking my students’ IGCSE History mock exam answers, I put together this feedback session which I think they got a lot out of – basically, I wrote a whole raft of responses based around the describe / explain / assess format, and then students had to mark each response using a generic markscheme. It…
IB / A-Level History essay skills: Challenge the assumptions of the question!
This new page, using examples of student work from the International School of Toulouse, consists of a list of past paper questions, and examples of the ways in which students are able to challenge the “loaded assumptions” within them. These examples are taken from the IB History examination but the principle can be applied to…
IB History – Past Paper Questions
New questions from 2006 Paper 1, 2 and 3 added to IB History.
IB History – Source Work Advice
A new handout added to the IB History section of the website.
Stalin’s Economic Policies: Online Simulator!
I’ve been working over the Christmas holidays on a brand new simulation designed to teach students about Stalin’s Economic Policies: Soviet Economy Simulator I don’t know if you teach this subject, but with revision period coming up soon I thought you might find it useful – especially as it comes complete with a range of…
Stalin’s Henchmen
An updated version of the popular history quiz, complete with a brand new lesson plan and worksheet.
1066 and the Battle of Hastings: Quiz
New History quizzes covering the events of 1066 and all that – Wordshoot, Manic Miner and CannonBall Fun all available, great for an end of unit factual test!
Early Modern Witch Trials
A PowerPoint Show about Witchcraft Trials suitable for a history lesson starter.
Matthew Hopkins, Witchfinder General
In this history lesson plan and worksheet, students read through the 14 questions posed in Mathew Hopkins’ “The Discovery of Witches”, choose the 5 questions the think will put the Witchfinder General in the tightest spot, then the teacher provides the answers which were originally given by Hopkins. Follow-up questions (and the suggestion that the…
The Norman Conquest of 1066 – Key Places
A worksheet to accompany the Battle of Hastings Online Adventure. This activity focuses on the main places of 1066. You will have to label key countries on a map, and explain the significance of other places already labelled on the map.
Main Events of 1066 – Worksheet!
A new worksheet to accompany the interactive decision making adventure on the Battle of Hastings for Year 7 History students. This activity, based around the Bayeux Tapestry, helps you understand the main events of 1066. You are given a series of pictures from the Tapestry, and you explain them using the Flash animations in the…
Battle of Hastings Game for Year 7: Worksheet
William, Hardraada and Harold Godwineson: A worksheet to accompany the interactive Battle of Hastings simulation.
Battle of Hastings Simulation: New 1066 Game!
This very popular Battle of Hastings Simulation for Year 7 History has been completely updated with new decision points, new Flash animations and three new worksheets! Students take on the role of King Harold and take a series of decisions which will determine whether they keep their throne or die a horrible death by the…
Acclerated Learning – ClassTools Template for Lesson Planning
Teachers are increasingly using accelerated learning, an approach to learning which builds on a range of learning styles. This template will help you plan lessons which address the issue of multiple intelligences
Witchcraft for Year 8 History – Source Work Exercise
As the assessed piece of work on the Witchcraft Topic in Year 8, students complete this history source work exercise.
The Spread of the Black Death
A history worksheet to accompany the Flash Animation on the site. Students produce a written account about the Black Death, then a graph charting the progress of the Black Death, then produce a full written assignment about the Black Death as a homework.
A Classroom Witch Trial
This Witch Trial and accompanying record sheet is always one of the highlights of the Year 8 course! With some students taking on the role of women accused of witchcraft, others acting as defence counsel, and others as prosecution lawyers, this is a lively unit which really helps students to understand the difference between facts,…
Witchcraft: 1. Introduction: Religion, Superstition and Witchcraft.
Students start with Task 1, followed by a classroom discussion, just to get them thinking. Then, they place their worksheet face down on the table and I write this question on the board: “When was the last witch executed?â€. Students turn their sheets back over, and a merit is awarded for the person who first…
Portraits as Propaganda: Elizabeth I
This history lesson builds on well from The Ambassadors and the Tudor Portrait Mystery Exercises. Students consider the tools used by artists to represent different policies, emotions and personality traits in individuals, using the famous “Armada Portrait” as a starting point. They then use what they have learned to produce their own colourful “Royal Portrait”…
Early Events of the Albigensian Crusade: The Campaigns of Simon de Montfort
A decision-making exercise: Would you have taken the same decisions as de Montfort?
Create your own “Dustbin” Game!
This interactive quiz generator allows you to create interactive “Dustbin” games. Students or teachers can create up to four categories of factors. The game created by ClassTools.net then involves students dragging and dropping each factor into its correct category as quickly as possible in a “race against the clock”!
The Cathars – A complete Scheme of Work with Resources
This brand new section of the website has now been launched.
The Siege of Montsegur: Interactive Running Dictation Exercise
Students watch the events unfold through a series of “news feeds” in this interactive history exercise and should then be asked to write a biased newspaper report about the event from either a Catholic or a Cathar perspective.
The Siege Stone at Carcassonne: Flash Animation
An animation designed to accompany the Cathars unit designed for Year 7 / Year 8 History.
The Siege Stone at Carcassonne: PostIt Activity
An interactive exercise based at ClassTools.net Interactive Whiteboard Resources, with an accompanying worksheet.
The Siege of Toulouse: Living Graph Activity
An interactive exercise based at ClassTools.net Interactive Whiteboard Resources, with an accompanying worksheet.
Coalbrookdale Interactive Census
I spent some time over half term completely rewriting the activities based around the Coalbrookdale Interactive Census of 1861. There is now a complete history lesson pack to accompany the searchable database, which I’ll be trialling with my own Year 9 students over the next two or three weeks. Hope you like it!
Why did the Pope launch the Albigensian Crusade? (a) Other Reasons
As part of the unit on the Cathars, an interactive Diamond 9 Exercise based at ClassTools.net Interactive Whiteboard Resources.
The Cathars – Why did the Pope launch the Albigensian Crusade? (a) Religious Reasons
Students compare Cathar viewpoints to those of Catholics, and form their own judgement as to which they have most sympathy with in this worksheet designed for Year 7 / Year 8 History.
How did the Nazis Rule Germany? – Fishbone Diagram
A Flash Activity based at ClassTools.net Interactive Whiteboard Resources.
Key Themes of the 16th Century
A worksheet and history lesson plan designed to get students thinking about key terminology and linking their ideas together meaningfully.
The Cathars – Introduction: The Court of Raymond of Toulouse
Part of a brand new unit on the Cathars for Year 7 / 8. This first worksheet is designed to give students a romantic impression of what Medieval Languedoc was like.
Churchill’s Cold War Speech of 1949
An interactive Flash exercise based at ClassTools.net Interactive Whiteboard Resources.
Classroom Debate: Who was Most Responsible for the Outbreak of World War One?
A lesson plan and worksheet.
Flash Activity: Causes of the Industrial Revolution
A brand new activity for Year 9 History, based at ClassTools.net: Interactive Whiteboard Resources
Causes of World War One: Britain v. Germany: The Arms Race
A new worksheet and discussion points.
The July Crisis of 1914: Worksheet and Flash Quiz
An engaging way of teaching and learning the chronology of this tense period in history. Worksheet | Flash Quiz
The Causes of World War One: The Assassination at Sarajevo
A new worksheet.
The Causes of World War One: Philip Larkin’s Poem “1914”
A very moving poem, often overlooked. It is a powerful way of introducing the World War One topic.
The Causes of World War One: Study Guide
A new study guide focusing on WHY it is so important for students to study the causes of World War One. Covers political and social consequences of the war both in the long and the short term.
Historiography: Soviet Russia under Lenin
A worksheet designed to get students thinking about the historiographical debate surrounding Lenin. A great way to improve marks in an A-Level / IB History essay assignment!
The Causes of World War Two: Flash Prioritisation Exercise
A new activity designed in Flash to encourage reflection on the respective importance of a variety of factors.
“SNAP!” quiz: Jack the Ripper
A new “race against the clock” game designed for Year 9 students.
Causes of the Bolshevik Revolution: Interactive Diamond Nine Template
An interactive exercise designed to get students thinking about the respective importance of a wide variety of factors behind the Bolshevik Revolution of October 1917.
Flash Template: The Consequences of World War One
An interactive Flash Template designed to help students break down this key question in an engaging manner.
Living Graph: The Life of Henry VIII
A “Living Graph” exercise based at www.classtools.net, designed in Flash for Year 8 students.
William the Conqueror: Interactive Timeline
As part of a new project, www.classtools.net, I created an interactive timeline of the life of William the Conqueror.
IB History revision
I have added 3 student overview / IB History Revision guides to the site at www.ibhistory.net: 1. World War One 2. Tsarist and Revolutionary Russia 3. Stalin’s USSR
Google Earth in the History Classroom: New Additions
The Google Earth page of this site (www.activehistory.co.uk/google-earth) has now been developed to include 3 new case studies to accompany the Year 8 example (Francis Drake’s Circumnavigation): Year 9: Biased interpretations of the Middle East Conflict GCSE: Causes of World War Two A-Level / IB History: Russia on the Eve of World War One
Lenin’s Russia: Article Published in History Review
My article on “Lenin’s Rule of Russia” is published in this month’s edition of History Review (Sep. 2006). If you use my lesson bank of resources and worksheets on this topic, you will find this a really valuable addition to your scheme of work!
Manic Miner, Wordshoot and CannonBall now on the Big Screen!
The popular educational arcade games Manic Miner, Wordshoot and Cannonball Fun have now been amended so that the games fill your screen, whatever its size / resolution!
William the Conqueror: Family, Friends and Enemies
Worksheet to accompany the Head2Head Virtual Interview: Students interview William to find out what other people helped and hindered his career. In the standard level task, they match names to the descriptions. In the higher level task, they also categorise these into “family”, “friends” and “enemies”.
How did William the Conqueror rule England?
Worksheet to acommpany the Head2Head Virtual Interview a. Timeline Activity: Students interview William to find out what events occurred on key dates in his reign. b. Essay writing: Students then use this information to assess whether William deserves to be remembered as a good King.
What sort of person was William the Conqueror?
Worksheet to accompany the Head2Head Interview. a. True or False?: Students are presented with key points about William the Conqueror and interview him to find out which of these are true, and which are false. b. Reflection: Students then assess what sort of a man William was, and whether he is likely to make a…
What happened in 1066?
What happened in 1066? a. Mapping Activity: Students interview William about the main events of 1066, and plot the main events he describes onto a map of Britain / France. b. Essay writing: Students use their knowledge to produce a written peice assessing whether William won the throne due to his skill, Harold’s mistakes or…
William the Conqueror – Virtual Interview Work Sheet
Who were the contenders for the English throne? Familiarises students with the contenders for the English throne in 1066 and gets them to debate the strengths and weaknesses of each one.
William the Conqueror – Virtual Head2Head Interview!
A brand new activity for Year 7 History students: A virtual interview with William of Normandy, with over 100 questions and answers. There are a couple of worksheets to accompany the activity at present, with more planned ready for a formal Autumn Term launch!
Head2Head Interview with Hitler: Completely updated!
The Virtual Interview with Adolf Hitler has now been completely updated and rewritten. His ‘brain’ is now 50% bigger than before, which means he answers more questions, in more detail, and with more accuracy. It has been a gigantic project, but hopefully you will now find he is more ‘intelligent’ than ever!
Lenin – Summary: Lecture Notes / Student Worksheet
A new worksheet, designed for AS / IB Level.
Nazi Germany: Religious Policy
A brand new self-contained worksheet.
Causes of World War Two: Google Earth Tour / Worksheet
Google Earth Tour Causes of World War Two, 1919-39: An animated flyover A Google Earth tour, complete with a worksheet, designed to teach students about the main events, but also to encourage them to reflect on the shifting pattern of international alliances. [note: needs Google Earth to be installed!]
Middle East Conflict: Google Earth Tours
One from a Palestinian Perspective, one from an Israeli Perspective. Produced by Year 9 students at the International School of Toulouse. Click Here to see their work and the reasoning behind it.
Lenin – Conclusion
A new worksheet designed for AS / IB Level.
The Middle East Crisis: Worksheets and activities
Year 9 The Middle East Uploaded a new Interactive Timeline and Timeline Worksheet.
A-Level / IB History: Tsarist and Soviet Russia
A2 Tsarist and Soviet Russia Economic Developments, c.18811983: A synoptic activity complete with a worksheet.
Google Earth Tour: Tsarist Russia in 1914
A Google Earth Tour designed to accompany the decision making game.
GCSE Crime and Punishment: New Resources page
Crime and Punishment Through Time – In response to member feedback, I added a brand new section to the site to cater for students and teachers following this popular SHP course.
Nazi Germany: Women’s Policies
A brand new worksheet.
IB History: New web addresses
You can now reach the IB History resources on this site directly through the web addresses www.ibhistory.net, www.ibhistory.org, www.ibhistory.org.uk, www.ibhistory.co.uk. Over the coming months I hope to develop this area of the site substantially, maybe even turning it into a separate IB History website (hence the purchase of the web addresses)
Lenin’s Russia: Decision Making Adventure! (AS / A2 / IB History)
How can you help Lenin rule Russia after seizing power in 1917? A comprehensive decision-making game complete with a worksheet which will give students a thorough grounding in the main events and issues of the period.
IB History Curriculum Map
I have put together a Curriculum Map for IB History, designed to help teachers planning their course for the first time. This is how we teach the syllabus at the International School of Toulouse, and it might give you a few ideas.
Lenin – Divisions within the Party by 1924: (AS / A2 / IB History)
A new worksheet, designed for AS / IB Level.
Lenin – The New Economic Policy: (AS / A2 / IB History)
A new worksheet, designed for AS / IB Level.
Lenin – The Crisis Year: 1921: (AS / A2 / IB History)
A new worksheet, designed for AS / IB Level.
Lenin – The issue of National Minorities (AS / A2 / IB History)
A new worksheet designed for AS / IB Level
Lenin – War Communism (AS / A2 / IB History)
A new worksheet designed for AS / IB Level.
Lenin – Peace and War: From Brest-Litovsk to Civil War
A new worksheet designed for AS / IB Level.
Lenin – Political Concession: The 1918 Constitution
A new worksheet for AS / IB Level
Nazi Germany: Economic Policies
A new worksheet for GCSE students.
Nazi Germany: Youth policy – Schools
A new worksheet – students write each other a Nazi school report using original source material.
Lenin: Political Oppression: From the Constituent Assembly to the Red Terror
A new worksheet designed for AS / IB level
Google Earth Database: Submit a Resource function
I have updated the Google Earth for Historians Database so that users can now submit resources they find / develop themselves for inclusion in it.
Nazi Germany: Youth policy – Youth Organisations
A new worksheet – students write a dialogue between two disillusioned youngsters outlining their experiences of the Hitler Youth / League of German Maidens.
Google Earth for Historians: Searchable Database
I have just created a searchable database of 175 resources in Google Earth. You can search by year group, topic or resource type. If you know of any other links that could be added, please let me know!
What is the message of Holbein’s ‘The Ambassadors’?
Analyse the famous portrait from the court of Henry VIII and decide for yourself!
Nazi Germany: The “moral maze” of Darwinism
A new worksheet designed to get students thinking about exactly when or if “acceptable” and “civilised” ideas descend into irrationality and barbarism.
Nazi Germany: Were their social policies immoral and novel?
A new worksheet, designed to make the point that Nazi social policies did not “come out of nowhere” nor have they entirely “gone away” – it should be a stimulating lesson!
Nazi Germany: Social Policies
A new worksheet for GCSE students.
Drake’s Circumnavigation: Google Earth Flyover
I have just put the finishing touches to a Google Earth Flyover of Sir Francis Drake’s Circumnavigation of the Globe. The activity comes complete with 6 worksheets which you can pick and choose from to use with your classes: 1. Structured Questions about Drake’s Circumnavigation Students answer a series of questions based around a viewing…
The Henrician Reformation under Henry VIII – Decision Making Game
A2 DecisionMaking Game The Henrician Reformation A major new game: can you keep your head at the court of Henry VIII?
Nazi Germany: The Nazi Police State
A new worksheet designed to be used in conjunction with the Head2Head Interview.
Nazi Germany: The Night of the Long Knives
A new worksheet for Year 10 students.
Virtual Interview with Adolf Hitler: Major Update!
The Virtual Interview with Adolf Hitler, recently updated with a custom-made 3D face, is currently being updated with 300 new questions submitted by members over the past few months. This will obviously take a couple of weeks, so if no other updates appear during that time, then this is the reason! The final activity, when…
Head2Head Hitler: Youth Policies added to the new brain!
A new batch of questions added to the “New Hitler” interview – to check out the work in progress, click here.
