This worksheet is part of the new Scheme of Work through which the entire topic of Lenin’s Russia is taught through an extended roleplay with students taking the role of different Politburo members.
Category: 1900-2000 (GCSE History)
End of Unit Factual Test (Tsar Alexander III Roleplay Unit)
This resource is part of a new roleplay unit for teaching this topic at IB / A-Level. The teacher takes on the role of the Tsar, and the students as his ministers. Over several hours the ‘reformers’ and the ‘reactionaries’ debate the issues whilst the teacher uses the 30-slide presentation to guide the debate and…
The New Economic Policy – Lenin’s USSR
This worksheet is part of the new Scheme of Work through which the entire topic of Lenin’s Russia is taught through an extended roleplay with students taking the role of different Politburo members.
Timeline of the Reign (Tsar Alexander III Roleplay Unit)
This resource is part of a new roleplay unit for teaching this topic at IB / A-Level. The teacher takes on the role of the Tsar, and the students as his ministers. Over several hours the ‘reformers’ and the ‘reactionaries’ debate the issues whilst the teacher uses the 30-slide presentation to guide the debate and…
The Kronstadt Rebellion and the Tambov Rebellion
This worksheet is part of the new Scheme of Work through which the entire topic of Lenin’s Russia is taught through an extended roleplay with students taking the role of different Politburo members.
The Bolshevik Victory in the Russian Civil War – Lenin’s Russia, Roleplay Unit
This worksheet is part of the new Scheme of Work through which the entire topic of Lenin’s Russia is taught through an extended roleplay with students taking the role of different Politburo members.
Debate Record Sheet (Tsar Alexander III Roleplay Unit)
This resource is part of a new roleplay unit for teaching this topic at IB / A-Level. The teacher takes on the role of the Tsar, and the students as his ministers. Over several hours the ‘reformers’ and the ‘reactionaries’ debate the issues whilst the teacher uses the 30-slide presentation to guide the debate and…
The Red Terror – Lenin’s Russia, Roleplay Unit
This worksheet is part of the new Scheme of Work through which the entire topic of Lenin’s Russia is taught through an extended roleplay with students taking the role of different Politburo members.
Debate Preparation Worksheet (Tsar Alexander III Roleplay Unit)
This resource is part of a new roleplay unit for teaching this topic at IB / A-Level. The teacher takes on the role of the Tsar, and the students as his ministers. Over several hours the ‘reformers’ and the ‘reactionaries’ debate the issues whilst the teacher uses the 30-slide presentation to guide the debate and…
“Who Am I?” Challenge – The USSR under Stalin
“Who Am I?” Challenge – The USSR under Stalin Each team will be presented with a clue about a key historical figure. They get 50 points if they guess it correctly. If they wish to ‘pass’, they get further (easier) clues but the points available steadily decline. An incorrect guess at any point means they…
Tsar Alexander III Roleplay Unit – 30 Slide Presentation
This resource is part of a new roleplay unit for teaching this topic at IB / A-Level. The teacher takes on the role of the Tsar, and the students as his ministers. Over several hours the ‘reformers’ and the ‘reactionaries’ debate the issues whilst the teacher uses the 30-slide presentation to guide the debate and…
The Treaty of Brest Litovsk – Lenin’s Russia, Roleplay Unit
This worksheet is part of the new Scheme of Work through which the entire topic of Lenin’s Russia is taught through an extended roleplay with students taking the role of different Politburo members.
The Constituent Assembly – Lenin’s Russia, Roleplay Unit
This worksheet is part of the new Scheme of Work through which the entire topic of Lenin’s Russia is taught through an extended roleplay with students taking the role of different Politburo members.
75 Years Ago Today (23rd Jan. 1937): Second Moscow Show Trial
The second Moscow show trial (The Trial of the Seventeen) took place. 17 leading Communists were accused of participating in Trotsky’s plot to overthrow Stalin. 13 of them were sentenced to death. The Moscow Trials were a series of show trials conducted in the Soviet Union and orchestrated by Joseph Stalin during the Great Purge…
The 1917 Decrees and the 1918 Constitution – Lenin’s Russia, Roleplay Unit
This worksheet is part of the new Scheme of Work through which the entire topic of Lenin’s Russia is taught through an extended roleplay with students taking the role of different Politburo members.
75 Years Ago Today (19th Jan 1937): Howard Hughes breaks the air record
American industrialist, film producer and aviator Howard Hughes broke the U.S. transcontinental air record, flying from Burbank, California to Newark, New Jersey in 7 hours, 28 minutes and 25 seconds. The New York Times report of the event can be found here.
100 Years Ago Today (18th Jan. 1912) – Scott reaches the South Pole
British explorer Robert Falcon Scott’s expedition reached the South Pole, but discovered that Roald Amundsen’s Norwegian team had beaten them by over a month. In addition to Capt. Scott, Lieut. Bowers, and Dr. Wilson, two others, Capt. Titus Oates and Petty Officer Edgar Evans made the final push to the Pole. Conditions were appalling: temperatures…
Research Grid – Lenin’s Russia, Roleplay Unit
This worksheet is part of the new Scheme of Work through which the entire topic of Lenin’s Russia is taught through an extended roleplay with students taking the role of different Politburo members.
100 Years Ago Today (5th January 1912): The Bolshevik Party was Formed
Lenin’s Bolshevik faction of the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party broke away from the main party and formed what would later become the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. The Bolsheviks were born out of Russia’s Social Democrat Party. When the party split in 1903, the Bolsheviks only had one obvious leader – Lenin. In…
Essay Planning: The October Revolution
A worksheet to help students plan their essay assignment. A completed teacher version is also available.
Primary Source Analysis: Was the October Revolution a popular uprising, or a coup d’etat?
A worksheet activity designed to get students thinking about the key historiographical debate.
Mussolini’s Italy: Two model essays on his domestic policies
Two model essays, written by RJ Tarr to help students understand how to structure an effective essay: 1. How Fascist was Fascist Italy? 2. How Successful were Mussolini’s Domestic Policies?
Factual Test: The Provisional Government and the October Revolution
A student test; there is also a completed teacher version available.
Mussolini’s Italy: Essential Teacher Notes on all key policy areas
A series of notes [1][2][3] to help teachers with their planning and preparation.
The Provisional Government and the October Revolution – Structured Narrative
This resource is designed to get students turning their timeline into a thematic analysis. A completed teacher version is also available.
Fascist Italy under Mussolini: Conclusions about the nature of Fascism
A PowerPoint presentation getting students to reflect on the nature of Fascism.
Timeline Task – The Provisional Government and the October Revolution
A student worksheet; a completed teacher version is also available.
Fascist Italy under Mussolini: Primary Sources
A series of primary sources to help students with their essay planning task.
Historiography – The Provisional Government and the October Revolution
A resource to familiarise students with the historiographical issues.
Rule of Mussolini: Picture Quiz
A picture quiz designed to precede a more detailed factual test.
The Provisional Government / October Revolution: Overview
A worksheet to introduce the topic. Teacher notes are also available.
Rule of Mussolini: What is Fascism?
A worksheet to help students analyse Fascism through primary sources.
Hitler’s Foreign Policy Simulation – Now with a live leaderboard
I’ve developed the ‘Hitler’s Foreign Policy’ simulation to incorporate a live high score board. In this way teachers can easily monitor the performance of students playing the game and focus on those whose factual test score declines during the game.
Keyword Checker: What caused the February Revolution?
30 keywords are provided. If a student CUTS and PASTES their essay into the tool, it will then proceed to tell them how many of these keywords are currently included in it and which need to be added.
Model Essay: Compare and contrast the rise to power of two single party state rulers
This short study unit should end with students writing an essay on the subject of “Compare and Contrast the Rise to Power of Two Single Party State Rulers” (focusing on Mao and Pinochet). I have written a model essay on this subject myself which is available in the teacher resources area.
Feedback: Comparing and Contrasting the Rise of Two Single Party State Rulers
Students then get into pairs and small groups to compare their approaches to the previous task. There is a lengthy list of “discussion points” provided too in this worksheet designed to get them thinking more (e.g. the USA opposed Mao, but failed to prevent his rise; but they favoured Pinochet, who succeeded. Why the difference?)….
Compare and Contrast the Rise to Power of Two Single Party State Rulers
With the research on Pinochet completed, the students now move on to compare and contrast his rise to that of Mao in China. This worksheet provides them with structured guidance on how to go about this process. As a popular format of question in the IB examination, this is a very useful exercise.
Factual Test: The Rise to power of Pinochet in Chile
A detailed analysis of the causes for Pinochet’s rise to power presented as a “Fill the Blanks” quiz. There is a completed teacher version available.
Individual Research Task: The Rise to power of Pinochet in Chile
Students are given this worksheet framework to help structure their investigation about why Pinochet became leader of Chile. They should use any sources available to them (books, video, websites). A particularly good video is the 10-minute drama film by Ken Loach which can be found on YouTube.
Powerpoint Starter: The Rise to power of Pinochet in Chile, 1973
Students are presented with a series of images from which to draw their own initial deductions. They are then told what each one represents. A good introduction to the topic.
The Rise to power of Pinochet in Chile: New IB study unit
A brand new study unit. The IB History examination is very keen that students learn to compare and contrast the methods and conditions which led to the rise to power of single party state rulers – sometimes insisting that they are from different parts of the world, and / or that one is a right-wing…
Musicians in the Civil Rights Movement – Design a Civil Rights Music Compilation CD
60 song titles are shared between the class. a. Locate the lyrics of the song titles you are given (e.g. using elyrics.net) and read them. b. Decide which one song you like best overall from its lyrics. c. Copy an extract from these lyrics into a shared Google Presentation like this one. d. Embed a…
Musicians in the Civil Rights Movement – Feedback on Musicians
Students complete this worksheet following from the image, and then students in the class who researched musicians as their “Fakebook” project now feedback to the class with their findings by identifying the one most important event in their lives which illustrates their importance to the civil rights struggle. Everyone in the class uses this to…
Musicians in the Civil Rights Movement – PowerPoint Starter on 1968
Students are presented with two famous images. What is going on in each one? This introduces to 1968 as a “Year of Tragedy” for the Civil Rights struggle and also makes use of this video file.
Politicians in the Civil Rights Movement – In-depth Research: A Virtual Interview with Martin Luther King Jr.
Using this worksheet to help them, students conduct a “Head to Head” Interview with Martin Luther King Jr. to spot mistakes in an account of his life, then produce a newspaper report based on the extra questions they choose to ask him. There is also a completed teacher version available.
Politicians in the Civil Rights Movement – Feedback on Politicians
Students complete this worksheet following from the image, and then students in the class who researched politicians as their “Fakebook” project now feedback to the class with their findings by identifying the one most important event in their lives which illustrates their importance to the civil rights struggle. Everyone in the class uses this to…
Politicians in the Civil Rights Movement – PowerPoint Starter
Students are presented with a famous image of two black politicians shaking hands. Why was this such a newsworthy event? A good way of setting up the focus on politicians.
Sportspeople in the Civil Rights Movement – Feedback on Sportspeople
The students in the class who researched sportspeople as their “Fakebook” project now feedback to the class with their findings by identifying the one most important event in their lives which illustrates their importance to the civil rights struggle. Everyone in the class uses this to start developing a thematic timeline document.
Sportspeople in the Civil Rights Movement – PowerPoint Starter
Students are presented with a famous image of two black sportsmen raising one hand in the air, wearing black gloves. What do the students think this means? Why are they wearing their gloves on different hands? A good way of setting up the focus on sportspeople.
Civil Rights Movement – Individual Research Project: “Fakebook” Profile of a civil rights campaigner
Students are allocated or choose one of the musicians, sportsmen or politicians to research in more depth. They will present their work in the form of a “Fakebook” profile using the application based at www.classtools.net.
The Civil Rights Movement – Overview of civil rights campaigners
Students are given groups of politicians, musicians and sportsmen. Their job is to use Google Images to locate a picture of each person and paste them into the document. As they do so they start thinking about which character they would like to research in more depth if given the opportunity.
Civil Rights Movement: Powerpoint Starter – What’s going on in this image?
Students are presented with a partly obscured image. Can they tell what’s going on? When it was taken? What’s the mood of the people present? They are then shown the rest of the picture. A powerful way of stressing that although slavery had long been abolished by the 1930s, racial prejudice and violence was all…
Keyword Checker: What were the main causes of tension in Palestine c.1914-1939?
Students paste their essay into this interface and get a score based on how many keywords they have included. Excellent for ensuring topic coverage at first-draft phase.
Keyword Checker: What was the legacy of the Spanish Civil War?
Students paste their essay into this interface and get a score based on how many keywords they have included. Excellent for ensuring topic coverage at first-draft phase.
Interactive Quiz for IB History: The Middle East 1945-1979
A new revision quiz which can be played by students as independent revision or as a classroom group challenge.
The Middle East Crisis c.1945-1979 (Revision): Debate: Does Israel only exist because of the support of the West?
In this structured debate, students are placed into two teams to formulate questions from their opponents designed to prove their case using references to all the major periods covered by the syllabus. The arguments and evidence put forward, and the synthesis reached, is a useful revision aid.
The Middle East Crisis c.1945-1979 (Revision): Mapwork: The growth of Israel
Mapwork: The growth of Israel. In this exercise, students firstly label all of the key regions and areas onto a large map. Then, in a series of smaller maps they shade the territory occupied by Israel over time by referring to a list of key points.
The Middle East Crisis c.1945-1979 (Revision): Timeline of Key Events: Match the Dates
Timeline of Key Events: Match the Dates. An overview of the entire period, chronologically arranged but with no dates provided. Students see how many of the events they can correctly identify. The completed teacher version is also available.
The Middle East Crisis c.1945-1979 (Revision): Picture Round and Terminology Quiz
Picture Round and Terminology Quiz. Students are instructed to locate some pictures of key characters, and produce quiz questions that can be turned into an interactive revision exercise at www.classtools.net.
The Middle East Crisis c.1945-1979 (Revision) Overview test of the entire period, 1945-1979
In this worksheet, students are provided with a “mega summary” on one sheet of paper as a “gap fill” exercise. Covering the major events down the page, broken into columns which compare the role of Jews, Arabs and the International Community, this is an invaluable resource to help students refresh their memories and see the…
Causes of the Spanish Civil War: Keyword Checker
Students paste their essay into this interface and get a score based on how many keywords they have included. Excellent for ensuring topic coverage at first-draft phase.
Essay Keyword Checker: Why did Hitler become Chancellor of Germany?
This tool allows students to check the first draft of their essay to determine how many keywords have been included within it. As such it’s a useful way of ensuring that the essential background knowledge has been worked into the essay.
Sourcework examination: The Yom Kippur War and its Aftermath
An exercise to develop sourcework skills in the style of the IB examination. There are also some model answers available.
Origins of the Cold War, 1945-49: Telescopic Topic for Revision
I’ve just launched a “telescopic topic” collapsible list (click here) to help my IGCSE students revise for the IGCSE Paper 2 topic on the Origins of the Cold War.
Research Task: Nixon, Kissinger, Meir, Sadat, Brezhnev
These five characters are very fascinating in themselves; and as they may well be quoted in the sourcework paper, it makes sense to have a little to say about each one.
“Fill the Gaps” Quiz: The Yom Kippur War
A Quiz. There is also a completed teacher version available.
Who Am I? Revision Challenge Quiz for IGCSE Modern World History
The “Who Am I?” Interactive team challenge has now been developed to cover some of the main topics in the IGCSE Modern World History syllabus (e.g. Origins of World War One, Peace Treaties, League of Nations, Causes of World War Two, Origins of the Cold War).
The Yom Kippur War
A series of structured questions to help students make sense of the causes, course and consequence of the Yom Kippur War. There is also a completed teacher version.
The Palestinian Diaspora: Quiz
To test understanding following completion of the previous worksheet.
The Palestinian Diaspora
A worksheet of questions to help students understand the fate of the Palestinians between 1948-1973. A good review exercise. There is also a completed teacher version.
Sourcework Assignment Pack: Weimar Germany
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.
The Six-Day War – Classroom Debate
Classroom Debate Students use their completed timelines to get into role as different characters from different countries and reach an independent judgement about which of the three key interpretations listed at the outset is the most convincing. They are then given guidance on how to construct a written essay answering the central question. There are…
Origins of the Cold War to 1949: Revision quiz
71 questions in the databank – choose between Wordshoot, Manic Miner, Flashcards….! Great for revising the IGCSE compulsory sourcework paper in history for this year.
Compare and Contrast the Rise of Mao and Stalin
An article in the style of an IB / A-Level essay, which I have written for History Review, due to be published in March 2011.
The Six Day War of 1967: Timeline Analysis
Timeline Analysis Students construct a timeline of events broken down into events relating to Jordan, Egypt and Syria. The teacher can then test their understanding using this classroom challenge and this answer sheet.
Timeline Challenge: The 1967 6-Day War
In this activity, Organise the class 5 teams. Display the first event by clicking the button. All the students should copy this information into their worksheet as instructed. The first team can play for up to 10 points depending on their confidence. They have to not only identify the mistake in the account, but correct…
Introduction and Overview – the 6-Day War of 1967
Introduction and Overview Students are introduced to the main debate that they will investigate: Interpretation 1: Israel was acting defensively. This was a pre-emptive strike against Arab armies who were about to invade her. Throughout the conflict Israel acted with admirable restraint. Interpretation 2: Israel was acting aggressively. She deliberately misread the situation to justify…
The Berlin Blockade: Timeline Challenge [Interactive]
This activity is a great way of testing whether students have completed their notes on the Berlin Blockade. Students are presented with a series of information feeds, each one of which contains an error. Students get points for their teams if they identify the error correctly.
Sourcework Assignment Pack: International Relations in the 1930s
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.
Why did Stalin become leader of the USSR? – essay planning task
Students are provided with a detailed list of factors relating to Stalin’s rise to power. These are organised under 3-5 headings. The following headings might give you some ideas: Political | Economic | Personal | Stalin’s Strengths | Opposition Weaknesses | Stalin’s Successes | Opposition Mistakes | Lenin’s Mistakes | Lenin’s Weaknesses. There is a…
The Suez Crisis: Tension Erupts
The Suez Crisis: Tension Erupts Students consider the causes, events and consequences of the Suez Crisis through a series of sources, including a short video from Andrew Marr’s History of Britain. There are teacher notes available for this activity and evidence slips for the main exercise, as well as YouTube Videos available: [1 – Sevres…
League of Nations in the 1920s: new resources
I’ve added various teacher notes, links to video clips and quizzes to the League of Nations in the 1920s page.
GCSE Modern World History: Video
A 3-minute video I use to give Year 9 students an overview of the course. Further materials for Year 9 options discussions can be found here.
Origins of the Cold War: IGCSE Source pack and resources
I’m in the process of tidying up my resources on the Origins of the Cold War, which is the compulsory Sourcework option at IGCSE in June 2011. In particular there’s a sourcework pack with some practice questions that will hopefully be useful.
The Rise of Stalin: Complete scheme of Work with Teacher Versions
I have launched some detailed worksheets and completed teacher versions on the topic of “Why did Stalin become leader of the USSR?”.
The Suez Crisis: Tension Builds
The Suez Crisis: Tension Builds Students consider the proposal to turn the Suez Canal into an international zone, and the infamous “Sevres Protocol”. They will use two primary sources: Nasser’s rejection of the Western plan and the Sevres Protocol. There are several YouTube videos that can be used: [1 – Czech Arms Deal, USA Anger]…
Sourcework Assignment Pack: The Peace Treaties after World War One
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.
The Suez Crisis: Roleplay Exercise
The Suez Crisis: Roleplay Exercise “In this exercise you will take on the role of a French / British / Israeli civil servant. Each of you will develop a particular area of expertise to share with the rest of the group. The group as a whole will have to decide on some key courses of…
The Suez Crisis of 1956 – Background: The Palestinian Refugee Problem after 1948
Background: The Palestinian Refugee Problem after 1948 As a recap on the events prior to 1956, students use their textbooks to learn more about Al-Nakba (“the catastrophe”) for the Palestinians. There are teacher notes available for this activity.
The League of Nations in the 1920s: Revision Notes
A new Telescopic Topic created using the facility at www.classtools.net.
Sourcework assignment Pack: Causes of World War One
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.
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…
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.
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.
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 /…
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.