I’ve completely rewritten the ‘Search by Topic / Period’ page of ActiveHistory today to ensure it includes all the latest topics I’ve included since last year.
Category: History Teachers
Create a Fake Facebook Profile
I’ve just completed a major overhaul of “Fakebook” – a tool for creating Fake Facebook profiles with your students. It’s great for getting students to create profiles of historical and literary characters and events, for example. Try it out here!
Practical Technologies for the Classroom – Facebook Group
Following on from the successful conference which took place at my school on 30th March, I’ve set up a Facebook Group for Practical Technologies in the Classroom. Teachers are invited to sign up to share and exchange ideas!
IB History Curriculum Map
I’ve updated my IB History Curriculum Map to reflect the way I currently teach the syllabus. I’m always changing things around but this approach is how I’m currently doing the course with my Year 12 students.
Archive of #historyteacher tweets – now fully searchable!
I have now added a ‘search’ feature to the full archive of #historyteacher tweets from Twitter – check it out here.
QR Treasure Hunt Creator – Search feature
I’ve added a search feature so that you can check out some the most recently created QR Treasure Hunts made using the Classtools QR Treasure Hunt Generator.
ActiveHistory Mysteries: new student record sheet/markscheme
After making lots of use of the “History Mysteries” format this year with KS3 in particular, I’ve redesigned the student record sheet and the markscheme for the project to reflect my experience of what’s working in the classroom. My Year 8 students are currently working on the “Gunpowder Plot” mystery.
Add your own cast of characters (i.e. students!) to ActiveHistory Decision-Making Games!
I’ve just finished developing a new feature which allows you to customise ActiveHistory decision-making adventures by adding a class list. You then get a special link to a version of the game to share with your students which includes their names as characters in the game itself. You can check it out for yourself in…
History on TV and Radio: Email Alerts now Available
I have added an email newsletter facility to alert you of the latest history TV programmes coming up!
Email Newsletter for ActiveHistory now available
If you’d like automatic email alerts whenever something new is added to the ActiveHistory blog, just follow this link!
New History – Redesigned, Relaunched!
“New History” is a microsite from ActiveHistory which collates all the Latest History news, tv, podcasts and blog entries in one place – complete with anniversaries / commemorations and a “Quote of the Day”!
Raising the Profile of History in School: #historychat
#historychat is a live one-hour “chat” on Twitter inviting history teachers from all over the world to share ideas and resources which help to develop source analysis skills in the history classroom. #historychat is currently moderated by Russel Tarr in Europe and Bill Chapman in the USA. Bill is actively involved in #sschat, which has…
Source Analysis Skills in History: #historychat
#historychat is a live one-hour “chat” on Twitter inviting history teachers from all over the world to share ideas and resources which help to develop source analysis skills in the history classroom. #historychat is currently moderated by Russel Tarr in Europe and Bill Chapman in the USA. Bill is actively involved in #sschat, which has…
Cross-Curricular Projects through History – #historychat
#historychat is a live one-hour “chat” on Twitter inviting history teachers from all over the world to share ideas and resources which help to develop source analysis skills in the history classroom. #historychat is currently moderated by Russel Tarr in Europe and Bill Chapman in the USA. Bill is actively involved in #sschat, which has…
#historychat on Twitter – Technology in the History Classroom
#historychat is a live one-hour “chat” on Twitter inviting history teachers from all over the world to share ideas and resources which help to develop source analysis skills in the history classroom. #historychat is currently moderated by Russel Tarr in Europe and Bill Chapman in the USA. Bill is actively involved in #sschat, which has…
How to set up a QR Code Treasure Hunt
A QR-Code Treasure Hunt is a fun, simple way to get students using their mobile devices to continue learning outside of lesson time. Here’s how we set one up at the International School of Toulouse with some guidance on how to do the same with your own students using the QR Treasure Hunt Generator at…
1st November 2011 – ActiveHistory Training Day, Bristol UK
I’ve just confirmed the date of my next CPD event for History Teachers – Tuesday 1st November 2011 in Bristol, UK. For full details and to book your place, follow this link!
History Teachers on Twitter
I have created a (dynamically updating) directory of History Teachers on Twitter. Follow the link to view the directory and to add your own name to it if you wish!
“Fakebook” – create your own fake profile for a historical character or event!
I’ve launched a brand new application which allows you to create imaginary profile pages for study purposes. Use “Fakebook” to chart the plot of a book, the development of a character, a series of historical events, the debates and relationships between people, and so on! Great for revision exercises with exam classes: get each student…
Classroom Display Posters: 40 Key Terms for KS3 History
I print these off onto A3, laminate them and then cut them up to display all around the classroom. A great way to get the important terminology across!
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.
Plagiarizr: Free plagiarism detector for teachers
I have developed a new plagiarism checker – simply COPY and PASTE an essay into it, click “check” and then you will get a full breakdown of any plagiarized phrases, with direct hyperlinks to trace where the text was taken from.
Keyword checker: A tool for developing essay skills
I’ve been getting fed up with my IB students not incuding all of the topic keywords / terms in their essays. So I’ve just finished writing this program which checks how many keywords have been included with the click of a button. I’ll be encouraging students to run their essays through this before handing them…
“Twister” – Create a “Tweet” from a fictional/historical character
This new template allows you to create fictional “status updates” that can then be printed off for display purposes. Students could be asked * What are the most important people in this topic? * What was their most important moment within the topic? * What would their comment be about it? * What particular keywords…
Random Name / Word Picker
The classtools random name / word picker has now been updated with a brand new image which makes it look a little less (in the words of my wife) “Hello Kitty”!
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…
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.
History Mysteries: Lesson Plans, Worksheets and Markschemes
I’ve just launched a brand new section on the website called the “ActiveHistory Mysteries“. I have been trialling these with my own students this term and they have proven to be a big hit! If you try them out with your own students, and / or you have any ideas for other “mysteries” I could…
World War One Battlefields Tour: Itinerary and Resources
WW1 Battlefields Tour Resources Following the successful conclusion of a school Battlefields Trip with 34 students in Years 11-12, I’ve uploaded my full itinerary, with worksheets, teacher notes, Google Earth Tour and so on. I hope this is useful for other teachers developing / constructing their own visit.
Historical Anniversaries for December 2010
• The following list provides important anniversaries that could be commemorated in 2010. • It can be used by teachers preparing assemblies, extension tasks and one-off lessons. • I am limiting the list to multiples of 50 years (1960 (50 years ago today), 1910 (100 years ago today), 1860 (150 years ago today) etc). •…
Historical Anniversaries for November 2010
• The following list provides important anniversaries that could be commemorated in 2010. • It can be used by teachers preparing assemblies, extension tasks and one-off lessons. • I am limiting the list to multiples of 50 years (1960 (50 years ago today), 1910 (100 years ago today), 1860 (150 years ago today) etc). •…
History Mysteries: The Franklin Expedition
The “History Mystery” approach helps students to formulate questions, work with primary sources, develop essay skills, and improve groupwork abilities. Through roleplay, picture analysis, written source evaluation, individual research and groupwork, students engage in genuine historical mysteries and produce a coherent and accomplished final report. I plan to develop a range of these exercises in…
Causes of World War Simulation
I’ve now added a HighScore board to the simulation – in other words an instant markbook for teachers to access at the end of the session. Any scores submitted within a one-hour period are displayed and can be copied into a markbook. Click the “Leaderboard” option to see how it works.
Historical Anniversaries for October 2010
• The following list provides important anniversaries that could be commemorated in 2010. • It can be used by teachers preparing assemblies, extension tasks and one-off lessons. • I am limiting the list to multiples of 50 years (1960 (50 years ago today), 1910 (100 years ago today), 1860 (150 years ago today) etc). •…
Historical Anniversaries for September 2010
• The following list provides important anniversaries that could be commemorated in 2010. • It can be used by teachers preparing assemblies, extension tasks and one-off lessons. • I am limiting the list to multiples of 50 years (1960 (50 years ago today), 1910 (100 years ago today), 1860 (150 years ago today) etc). •…
*The Middle East c.1914-1967: Complete Study Units / Teacher Notes for IB!*
I’ve just completed uploading a complete scheme of work – worksheets, interactivities, teacher notes – for a new study unit for IB / A-Level on the Middle East. 1914-47 1947-1949 1956: Suez 1967: 6-Day War …more will follow in due course as I teach further into the unit next year!
Channel Listings for History Programmes on UK TV and Radio
I’ve just finished writing a new program which goes through the main UK TV / Radio channels and lists all upcoming history programmes for the next three days. Check it out here!
Historical Anniversaries for August 2010
• The following list provides important anniversaries that could be commemorated in 2010. • It can be used by teachers preparing assemblies, extension tasks and one-off lessons. • I am limiting the list to multiples of 50 years (1960 (50 years ago today), 1910 (100 years ago today), 1860 (150 years ago today) etc). •…
Historical Anniversaries for July 2010
• The following list provides important anniversaries that could be commemorated in 2010. • It can be used by teachers preparing assemblies, extension tasks and one-off lessons. • I am limiting the list to multiples of 50 years (1960 (50 years ago today), 1910 (100 years ago today), 1860 (150 years ago today) etc). •…
Historical Anniversaries for June 2010
• The following list provides important anniversaries that could be commemorated in 2010. • It can be used by teachers preparing assemblies, extension tasks and one-off lessons. • I am limiting the list to multiples of 50 years (1960 (50 years ago today), 1910 (100 years ago today), 1860 (150 years ago today) etc). •…
Training Day Opportunity from ActiveHistory
On Friday 21st May I’m personally running a one-day teacher-training course on “Web2.0 in the History Classroom”. All delegates will have access to their own computer with internet access and a 2GB memory stick with a full training pack and resources. A restaurant lunch is also included in the course price. The event will take…
Historical Anniversaries for May 2010
• The following list provides important anniversaries that could be commemorated in 2010. • It can be used by teachers preparing assemblies, extension tasks and one-off lessons. • I am limiting the list to multiples of 50 years (1960 (50 years ago today), 1910 (100 years ago today), 1860 (150 years ago today) etc). •…
Historical Anniversaries for April 2010
• The following list provides important anniversaries that could be commemorated in 2010. • It can be used by teachers preparing assemblies, extension tasks and one-off lessons. • I am limiting the list to multiples of 50 years (1960 (50 years ago today), 1910 (100 years ago today), 1860 (150 years ago today) etc). •…
IB History Curriculum Map
I’ve just made some substantial changes and additions to my IB History curriculum map which is now packed full of useful resources and links.
Historical Anniversaries for March 2010
• The following list provides important anniversaries that could be commemorated in 2010. • It can be used by teachers preparing assemblies, extension tasks and one-off lessons. • I am limiting the list to multiples of 50 years (1960 (50 years ago today), 1910 (100 years ago today), 1860 (150 years ago today) etc). •…
Historiography
I’ve produced this Historiographical Terms Handout for my IB students, just to give them some useful points of reference. Feel free to use it in class – and if you think there’s something obvious I could add / amend / correct please let me know! It covers such themes as intentionalism, structuralism, annales school and…
Key Terminology for Historians
Classroom Posters: 24 Key Terms for Historians Two dozen defined terms, designed to be laminated and placed around the classroom for older students.
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…
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.
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…
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…
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.
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…
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…
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!
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…
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.
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…
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
My ICT Memories….!
Recently posted on Andrew Field’s site – oh, the nostalgia!
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….
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…
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.
Countdown Timer
This online countdown timer allows you to choose from a number of tunes!
Podcast Test Post
This is just a test post to determine whether podcasts can be directly uploaded to WordPress Testing.
Head2Head Worksheets
I have uploaded two worksheets to accompany the Head2Head Virtual Interviews. These are designed to work “off the shelf” and provide focus and direction to students conducting their virutal interviews with Hitler, Henry VIII, Martin Luther King, Dr. Fox and Stalin. 1. Newspaper Interview Task 2. Truth or Fiction Task
Flash Stopwatch
Type in your time, select a theme tune, and then click a button to start the countdown! A great tool for interactive whiteboards.
Accelerated Learning Cycle
Kolb’s Learning Cycle: The learning cycle model, developed by David Kolb, identifies four stages in learning. Peter Honey and Alan Mumford connected each stage in this learning cycle with a preferred learning style.
Create a Target Diagram Online!
A Target diagram is a fantastic way of getting students to break down a key question. Three factors are placed in the centre of the diagram. In the next layer, each factor can then be broken into two examples. In the final layer, each of these examples can then be substantiated with factual detail /…
Flash Game Generator
The Game Generator at www.classtools.net now has a feature which allows you to specify the type of quiz you would like the player to be directed to rather than allowing them a completely free choice. Check it out here!
Create a Burger Diagram
A burger diagram is a simple essay planning tool. Students make basic notes covering their introduction, three main sections, and a conclusion. It is a useful way of ensuring that students think about structuring their essays in a logical format.
Living Graph
A “Living Graph” encourages students not only to select the most important events within a topic, but also to rate them against criteria such as success and failure, strength and weakness and so on.
Venn Diagram
A Venn diagram is a classic way of getting students to compare and contrast the similarities and differences between three key events, concepts or people. Characteristics shared in common go in the central area; those shared by just two factors go in the area where those two circles overlap; characteristics possessed by just one go…
ClassTools.net Quicklinks – Google Gadget
A drop-down menu that takes you straight to the ClassTools.net template of your choice. Add it to your webpage, blog or IGoogle homepage
Harvard Author-Reference Generator – Google Gadget
Type the title and / or author of a book, and get a professional Harvard-Author Date reference for your essays. Add it to your webpage, blog or IGoogle homepage.
ActiveHistory Updates – Google Gadget
A summary of the latest games, worksheets and activities added to the site. Add it to your webpage, blog or IGoogle homepage.
History Teachers’ Search Engine
Only sites designed for teachers and students will be searched. Join up as a collaborator to add websites to the search engine! Add the search engine to your webpage, blog or IGoogle homepage.
Historical Quote of the Day: Google Gadget
An inspirational quote about history and historians, updated daily! Add it to your webpage or to your IGoogle homepage.
Edexcel is recruiting Examiners for GCE/GCSE History
Edexcel is currently looking for History teachers to become examiners for the June 2008 summer examination series for mainly the following units: Votes For Women Italy 1848-1925 USA & China 1945-76 Life In Authoritarian Regime Joining Edexcel’s Assessment Associate community offers an excellent opportunity to gain greater insight into the assessment of candidates as well…
Jigsaw Diagram
The Jigsaw template is designed to allow students to make connections between various factors in an engaging manner. The “pieces” of the jigsaw can have text written into them. When they are dragged next to each other, they “snap” into place. The pieces can be colour coded as appropriate.
Lights Out!
This template allows you to load an image, then “turn the lights off” so that you can view just small sections of the image at a time. It provides a great way of getting students to look more closely at an image.
Timeline Generator
A timeline is a great way of getting students to select and summarise key events across a defined period. This activity allows them to do this simply and effectively, and to colour-code the events if they choose to do so. They can also add a background image before printing off their work and / or…
Turning Page Template
This generator allows you to cut and paste text into a template and turn it into an animated book!
Venn Diagram
This interactive Venn Diagram Generator is a great Flash template for use in the classroom.
Ishikawa Diagram
This fishbone (Ishikawa) template is an essay planning tool. Whereas the burger diagram encourages students to think in terms of introduction, three main sections and a conclusion, the fishbone approach involves selecting four main factors, then providing three key pieces of detail about each.
Fishbone Diagram
This fishbone (Ishikawa) template is an essay planning tool. Whereas the burger diagram encourages students to think in terms of introduction, three main sections and a conclusion, the fishbone approach involves selecting four main factors, then providing three key pieces of detail about each.
Diamond 9 Diagram
This Diamond Nine Diagram helps to prioritise and categorise key factors. The most important factors are placed towards the top of the “diamond 9 “. The least important factors are placed towards the bottom. Factors of equal importance are placed in the same row. Each factor can be colour coded for further sophistication.
Random Name Picker
This is a simple tool which is a great way of rounding off a unit and revising important dates, concepts and people. It can also be used to randomly pick a name from a list of students. You can copy and paste your data direct from Word, Excel and other programs. Random Name Picker
Countdown Timer
This online countdown timer has a selection of tunes to choose from, and you can even upload your own to it.
Flashcard Generator
Use this interface to create flashcards free of charge!
History Shop
It’s with a great sense of relief that I’ve finally launched the ActiveHistory History Store – a massive repository of history books, history CDs and history DVDs available from Amazon, organised by date period and by genre (historical fiction, popular history, history study books, history dvds). There are hundreds of resources available here which I…
Classtools.net Random Name Generator
I have developed the Classtools.net random name generator so that words can now be “removed” from the fruit machine after they have been selected. This means that using the game in class doesn’t result in the same people / keywords being selected several times each session.
Post It: Flash Labelling Tool
PostIt is a useful tool for helping students to identify and then categorise key factors. Each “Note” can be dragged and dropped anywhere in the screen and colour coded if necessary. A background image can also be inserted for annotation purposes.
