A new unit of study for Grade 8 Historians.
Category: Other
Podcast Review of my book “A History Teaching Toolbox”
I have uploaded a podcast review summary of my book “A History Teaching Toolbox“.
The Treaty of Versailles: End of unit self-marking factual test
The Treaty of Versailles: End of unit self-marking factual test This is a great way to test knowledge at the end of the topic. Each student in the class is given 30 randomly selected questions from a database in mutliple-choice format. At the end of the exercise, the teacher can access all the scores at…
Mary I: Religious Policy
Religious Policy Detailed notes and structured questions.
Somerset: Religious Policy
Somerset: Religious Policy Teacher lecture notes and student worksheet.
Religious Changes, 1536-47
Religious Changes, 1536-47 Detailed investigation to determine the motives which lay behind these radical reforms.
Field of the Cloth of Gold
Field of the Cloth of Gold Interactive Sourcework Exercise. Students should use what they learn to answer the question “What was the Field of the Cloth of Gold and what was its significance?”:
Foreign Policy 1509-14 | teacher notes
Foreign Policy 1509-14 | teacher notes Detailed teacher lecture notes and an accompanying student worksheet.
Why did Wolsey rise to power?
Why did Wolsey rise to power? Read through the first paragraph and come up with a one-word subheading which you think summarises the point it is making about Wolsey. Repeat the process for the other paragraphs.
How did Wolsey maintain his position?
How did Wolsey maintain his position? An online slideshow presentation complete with follow-up tasks.
What was Wolsey like?
What was Wolsey like? A selection of sources from historians and contemporary witnesses, with structured questions.
Simulation: Causes of the English Civil War
This simulation has been completely recoded and relaunched with new graphics, gameplay and multimedia.
Poverty and Homelessness
A self-contained lesson and multimedia presentation designed for my PSHCE classes.
Welsh Memorial, Mametz
Welsh Memorial, Mametz: Commemorating the sacrifice of Welsh soldiers during the Battle of the Somme. Part of the new suite of worksheets to accompany some of the most important sites to visit on a WW1 Battlefields Trip.
Vimy Ridge
Vimy Ridge: A breathtaking memorial and visitor center, preserved trenches, and an opportunity for a tour of the underground tunnels. Part of the new suite of worksheets to accompany some of the most important sites to visit on a WW1 Battlefields Trip.
Ulster Tower
Ulster Tower: Commemorating the sacrifice of Northern Irish soldiers during the Battle of the Somme. Part of the new suite of worksheets to accompany some of the most important sites to visit on a WW1 Battlefields Trip.
Tyne Cot
Tyne Cot: Largest Commonwealth war cemetery in the world, situated at the site of the Battle of Passchendaele. Part of the new suite of worksheets to accompany some of the most important sites to visit on a WW1 Battlefields Trip.
Thiepval Memorial
Thiepval Memorial: Commemorating the missing of the Somme. Recently improved with a new visitor center. Part of the new suite of worksheets to accompany some of the most important sites to visit on a WW1 Battlefields Trip.
Talbot House
Talbot House: Refuge for soldiers when they were resthing behing the lines near Ypres. Now a wonderful preserved museum. Part of the new suite of worksheets to accompany some of the most important sites to visit on a WW1 Battlefields Trip.
St. George’s Chapel, Ypres
St. George’s Chapel, Ypres: Built after the war largely by veterans working on the war cemeteries. Packed with relics and memorials. Part of the new suite of worksheets to accompany some of the most important sites to visit on a WW1 Battlefields Trip.
South African Memorial, Delville Wood
South African Memorial, Delville Wood: Originally built during the apartheid era and now redesigned to highlight the contribution of black South Africans. Part of the new suite of worksheets to accompany some of the most important sites to visit on a WW1 Battlefields Trip.
Serre Memorial
Serre Memorial: To the “Accrington Pals”, and site where Wilfred Owen wrote his poem “The Sentry”. Part of the new suite of worksheets to accompany some of the most important sites to visit on a WW1 Battlefields Trip.
Pozieres Australian Memorial
Pozieres Australian Memorial: Particularly good to visit if you have Australian students. Part of the new suite of worksheets to accompany some of the most important sites to visit on a WW1 Battlefields Trip.
Historiale de la Grande Guerre, Peronne
Historiale de la Grande Guerre, Peronne: An especially well-constructed museum. Part of the new suite of worksheets to accompany some of the most important sites to visit on a WW1 Battlefields Trip.
Oradour-sur-Glane
Oradour-sur-Glane: Preserved ruins of a village subject of a notorious Nazi atrocity at the end of World War Two. Part of the new suite of worksheets to accompany some of the most important sites to visit on a WW1 Battlefields Trip.
Neuville St. Vaast
Neuville St. Vaast: The largest German war cemetery in France. Part of the new suite of worksheets to accompany some of the most important sites to visit on a WW1 Battlefields Trip.
Notre Dame de Lorette
Notre Dame de Lorette: Largest French war cemetery in the world; also site of the “Ring of Remembrance” Part of the new suite of worksheets to accompany some of the most important sites to visit on a WW1 Battlefields Trip.
Indian Memorial, Neuve Chapelle
Indian Memorial, Neuve Chapelle: Especially great to visit if you have students with Indian heritage. Part of the new suite of worksheets to accompany some of the most important sites to visit on a WW1 Battlefields Trip.
Menin Gate
Menin Gate: The “memorial to the missing” in Ypres. Part of the new suite of worksheets to accompany some of the most important sites to visit on a WW1 Battlefields Trip.
Lochnagar Crater
Lochnagar Crater: Relic of one of the gigantic underground mine explosions which heralded the start of the Battle of the Somme. Part of the new suite of worksheets to accompany some of the most important sites to visit on a WW1 Battlefields Trip.
Lijssenthoek Cemetery
Lijssenthoek Cemetery: Casualty clearing station cemetery with an unusually high proportion of named graves; final resting place of Nurse Nellie Spindler. Part of the new suite of worksheets to accompany some of the most important sites to visit on a WW1 Battlefields Trip.
Langemarck German Cemetery
Langemarck German Cemetery: Foreboding cemetery in stark contrast to Tyne Cot, which is just a few kilometres away. Part of the new suite of worksheets to accompany some of the most important sites to visit on a WW1 Battlefields Trip.
Fricourt German Cemetery
Fricourt German Cemetery: Original resting place of the “Red Baron”. Part of the new suite of worksheets to accompany some of the most important sites to visit on a WW1 Battlefields Trip.
Flatiron Copse Cemetery
Flatiron Copse Cemetery: Containing the grave of the VC Winner Edward Dwyer, whose voice was uniquely recorded. Part of the new suite of worksheets to accompany some of the most important sites to visit on a WW1 Battlefields Trip.
Devonshire Cemetery
Devonshire Cemetery: Containing the graves of Duncan Martin and the poet William Noel Hodgson. Part of the new suite of worksheets to accompany some of the most important sites to visit on a WW1 Battlefields Trip.
Dartmoor Cemetery
Dartmoor Cemetery: Containing the graves of a father and son, and a soldier ‘shot at dawn’. Part of the new suite of worksheets to accompany some of the most important sites to visit on a WW1 Battlefields Trip.
Compiegne Armistice Site
Compiegne Armistice Site: Where the war finally came to an end. Part of the new suite of worksheets to accompany some of the most important sites to visit on a WW1 Battlefields Trip.
Beaumont Hamel
Beaumont Hamel: Site of the Newfoundland Memorial and the Highlanders’ Memorial Part of the new suite of worksheets to accompany some of the most important sites to visit on a WW1 Battlefields Trip.
WW1 – Essential Context
Essential Context: Providing an essential narrative overview of the war on the Western Front, with specific mention of many of the sites listed below for context. Part of the new suite of worksheets to accompany some of the most important sites to visit on a WW1 Battlefields Trip.
The Worst Jobs in History!
In these simulations, you will be asked to rank NINE historical jobs from least to most horrible. At the end of the activity, you will be matched to your ideal “Worst job in History” based on your answers. The games come complete with structured worksheets.
Understanding Addiction (PSHE)
I’ve put together some new materials for PSHE on the subject of addiction, which can be found on my website www.pshe-lessons.com: Understanding addiction
The Silk Roads: Measure them to scale using your school!
The Silk Roads: Measure them to scale using your school! At this stage, I get my students to determine which parts of the school site would represent different places along the Silk Roads, and how many kilometres would be represented by each footstep. It’s a nice way of getting the students out of the classroom…
Henry VIII: Video and accompanying worksheet
Henry VIII: Video and accompanying worksheet This framework document instructs students to take minute-by-minute notes on an accessible video documentary, to choose images to accompany the various ‘chapters’ in the story of Henry’s life, and to decide which elements suggest he was a ‘hero’ and which a ‘villain’. Part of the Henry VIII scheme of…
The Wild West: New Simulation Game!
The Wild West: Cowboys and Indians, Outlaws and Sheriffs! At the start of the 1800s, the USA was just thirteen British colonies on the East Coast of North America. But for the rest of the century, these settlers headed Westwards to take over the entire continent in a process of “Westward Expansion”, and the dangers…
The Wild West: Timeline Analysis
The Wild West: Cowboys and Indians, Outlaws and Sheriffs! At the start of the 1800s, the USA was just thirteen British colonies on the East Coast of North America. But for the rest of the century, these settlers headed Westwards to take over the entire continent in a process of “Westward Expansion”, and the dangers…
The Wild West: Introduction and Overview
The Wild West: Cowboys and Indians, Outlaws and Sheriffs! At the start of the 1800s, the USA was just thirteen British colonies on the East Coast of North America. But for the rest of the century, these settlers headed Westwards to take over the entire continent in a process of “Westward Expansion”, and the dangers…
THE ORIGINS OF WORLD WAR TWO: CONCLUSIONS AND REVISION
THE ORIGINS OF WORLD WAR TWO: CONCLUSIONS AND REVISION A dozen interactive quizzes, worksheets and lesson plans to draw together knowledge and understanding of this central topic.
*NEW* “Wheel of Life” Online Template
*NEW* “Wheel of Life” Online Template – try it out and let me know what you think! The Wheel of Life template provides up to 8 editable category titles, each rated 1-10. You can label each section with the most important ways of assessing yourself or another character (fictional, historical or current). You can then…
Origins of the Cold War: Debate and Essay Planning
Debate and Essay Writing PhaseStudents debate three central issues about the Cold War (Where did it start? When? and Who bears most responsibility?”). The notes from these debates are then used as the basis of an essay on one of three possible questions taken from past examination papers. Part of the “ORIGINS OF THE COLD…
FREE CALENDAR FOR EDUCATORS, 2021-2022
FREE CALENDAR FOR EDUCATORS, 2021-2022 The following project developed from my “History in the News” facility which I also recommend you look at. 1. Here is a FREE printable calendar providing notable anniversaries (multiples of 50 years only) for research, discussion, assemblies and personal projects. Ideas for student tasks: Choose one event to research further and deliver…
Japan in the Tokugawa Period – A Time of Peace
Japan in the Tokugawa Period – A Time of Peace By the end of the century, unity had been gradually restored through the efforts of three warlords known as the “Great Unifiers”: Oda Nobunaga (1534 – 1582), Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1536 – 1598), and Tokugawa Ieyasu (1543 – 1616). Each of these obtained the prized title…
Card Game – Who were the Greatest Samurai
Card Game – Who were the Greatest Samurai? In this card game, students compete with each other to learn the most about thirty of the most legendary Samurai, and the clans to which they belonged. At the end of the game, they discuss how to categorise the Samurai and their clan symbols in a meaningful…
Do you have what it takes to be a Samurai Warrior?
Do you have what it takes to be a Samurai Warrior? The year is 1554. You are a group of European explorers who have been shipwrecked in Japan. You have been brought before Oda Nobunaga, Daimyo of Noguya Castle. He is preparing for war against his neighbours as part of his bid for total control…
Japan in the Sungoku Period – A Time of War
Japan in the Sungoku Period – A Time of War Through this worksheet, students learn that the16th century is known in Japan as the Sungoku (“warring states”) period. Although Japan had an emperor, he was largely powerless in the capital city, Kyoto. Instead, powerful warlords known as Daimyo fought one another for control of the country. One way of…
Japan and Europe: Mapwork
Japan and Europe: Mapwork For Medieval Europeans, the main trade route was the Silk Roads between Italy and China. The link between Europe and Asia was Constantinople, the Eastern capital of the Roman Empire. However, the seizure of Constantinople by the Muslim Ottoman Empire in 1453 cut off Europe’s overland access to the Far East….
Who killed King Rufus?
A simple standalone interactive exercise that can be used as a homework task.
Classtools Citation Generator
I have just finished recoding and relaunching this Citation Generator at www.classtools.net.
New Simulation: The League of Nations in the 1920s
In this new multimedia simulation students will take on the role of an ambitious civil servant, working for the British government. They will offer advice about how ministers should try to improve international stability. A structured worksheet guides students through 12 key issues: 4 relating to border disputes, 4 relating to social affairs, and 4…
PSHE – Smoking
I’m currently working on uploading all my PSHCE resources to a new website, www.pshe-lessons.com. This new study unit on the dangers of smoking is one new example that you might find useful if you are a form tutor.
ActiveHistory has been upgraded to a brand new server!
It’s been quite a mammoth task, but ActiveHistory (and ClassTools) have been moved to a brand-new, state-of-the-art dedicated server. It’s been a complicated and expensive process, but this should ensure that the sites are faster and more stable than ever to cope with the demands created by distance learning especially during the current pandemic!
The Battle for the throne: 1066 [Interactive simulation / Fling the Teacher Quiz]
The Battle for the throne: 1066 [Interactive simulation] [printable worksheet | online worksheet] A decision-making simulation as King Harold – will you survive the challenges to your throne? This is a major activity that should keep students busy for at least a couple of lessons (they are even given a certificate with a score at the end that…
Blind Date, 1066!
Blind Date, 1066! A roleplay exercise enabling students to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the various contenders for the English throne in 1066. As a homework, students produce a propaganda poster for the candidate of their choice. There are teacher notes available along with a presentation and a sample poster.
History posters for the COVID classroom!
I’ve updated some existing posters here to make them a little more topical in the current pandemic….!
A History of Face Masks
Since the COVID pandemic, face masks have become familiar to all of us. In this new unit of study, students will learn how face masks have been used throughout history, all over the world, for all sorts of weird and wonderful reasons. They will research one mask each, then share their findings as a group…
Cloze (“Fill the Gaps”) Quiz Generator
I have launched a new quiz generator at www.classtools.net which allows you to quickly create “fill the gaps” quizzes for your students.
Factual Test: Changes in the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s
25-question factual test This test (complete with teacher answer sheet) can be used to confirm that students have taken detailed and effective notes on the topic. Part of the scheme of work: In what ways, for what reasons, and with what results, did the Civil Rights movement become more radical after 1964?
Caesar Cypher Generator
As part of the Escape Room resources, I’ve designed a simple Caesar Cypher Generator.
ActiveHistory is now FLASH FREE!
After updating the Battle of Hastings Simulation, and following on from the update to Fling the Teacher, I think(!) that there are now no Flash features left on the website. This is in response to the fact that as from next year no major browsers will continue to support Flash for security reasons. If you…
Bringing Codes and Codebreaking into the History Classroom
Overview When studying topics involving intrigue, secrets or subterfuge, present students with the essence of the story in the form of a coded message familiar at the time. Challenge them to decode the message to engage them effectively from the outset. Case Studies Lady Jane Grey (Caesar Cipher) The famous “nine days’ queen” is Lady…
Calendar of Historical Anniversaries, 2019-2020
Calendar for Educators, 2019-2020 The following project developed from my “History in the News” facility which I also recommend you look at. 1. Here is a FREE printable calendar providing notable anniversaries (multiples of 50 years only) for research, discussion, assemblies and personal projects. Ideas for student tasks: Choose one event to research further and…
Renaissance Florence Simulation – updated, relaunched
The “Time Machine Journey to Renaissance Florence” simulation has been updated with video clips, a ‘save game’ feature so that they can play over several lessons and the ability for students to print off a personalised certificate of achievement when (and if!) they finish the mission successfully.
What is history all about? The who, when and why!
What is history all about? The who, when and why! A teacher-led online presentation, based around three central themes and leading neatly into the ‘time machine’ activity which follows: 1. When (Periods): Historians are Time Travellers! 2. Who (People): Historians are Friendly Time Travellers! 3. What (Evidence): Historians are Friendly Time Travelling Detectives! Part of the…
Who is your historical hero?
I have updated this popular project with some several more illustrative examples and a link to the Amazon store where you can purchase cardboard cubes to allow your students to make more professional “History Cubes”!
Turbo-Timeline Generator!
I have developed a brand-new timeline generator over at ActiveHistory’s sister site, ClassTools.net. All you have to do is COPY and PASTE a timeline from a website or word document, click a button and you get an animated timeline you can navigate through. Here is an example on the Life and Career of Cromwell, and…
New Interactive Timeline Generator!
Create an interactive classroom newsfeed using this simple interface! Simply provide a list of points you wish to share with your students. ClassTools will then turn it into an ‘race against the clock’ newsfeed for your students to take notes from as efficiently as possible! Here’s a sample, but you can easily create your own!
IB Extended Essay: Marksheet and Guidance
Marksheet and Guidance A student-friendly version of the IB mark scheme, combining the generic guidance from the IB as well as its subject-specific criteria for History.
IB Extended Essay – Completing the “Reflections on Planning and Progress” Form
Completing the “Reflections on Planning and Progress” Form A suggested timetable for students to help them complete this important part of the study in a timely fashion.
Style Guide: Formatting your Extended Essay
Style Guide: Formatting your Extended Essay A simple summary sheet providing a useful checklist to help students format their final study appropriately.
Six Steps for Writing your Extended Essay in IB History
Six Steps for Writing your Extended Essay in IB History A one-sided sheet provided step-by-step guidance for students on how to go about producing their Extended Essay.
Historiography: Historians on the Rise of Hitler
Historiography: Historians on the Rise of Hitler A series of quotes and extracts designed to be cut out and added into the hexagons diagrams outlined on the main topic page.
Recommended Films for the History Classroom
Recommended History VIDEO | (see also podcasts and books) I have updated this searchable directory of useful films for the history classroom with 50 new entries based on some of the most recent feature films released in the past couple of years.
Spotify Jukebox – Songs for the History Classroom
Spotify Jukebox for the History Classroom I have updated this resources with several new playlists and lots of new songs. If you already have Spotify, open it up before trying to play tracks. If you don’t have Spotify you will be prompted to install it on your system. See also: Blogpost – 50+ Essential Songs for the…
Defining weasel terms: Guerrilla, interstate, civil wars; populist v. military dictators; and much more besides
Defining weasel terms: Guerrilla, interstate, civil wars; populist v. military dictators; and much more besides “If you are called upon to use case studies of such things as guerrilla warfare, civil wars, interstate wars, crises and conflicts, it is vitally important that you justify your chosen example(s) in the introduction of your essay. If you…
One sentence summaries: conclusions on the Presidents
These resources are a great way to tie together a study of History of Americas. They specifically cover the period 1945-1980 but the approaches used are easily adaptable for other time periods and regions. One sentence summaries: conclusions on the Presidents At the end of the debate outline above, each member of the class at…
Classroom debate: Which President achieved the most success outside of the Americas?
These resources are a great way to tie together a study of History of Americas. They specifically cover the period 1945-1980 but the approaches used are easily adaptable for other time periods and regions. Who was the best US President on the World Stage? Classroom debate: Which President achieved the most success outside of the…
Post-War American Presidents to 1980: Detailed summary sheet for revision
These resources are a great way to tie together a study of History of Americas. They specifically cover the period 1945-1980 but the approaches used are easily adaptable for other time periods and regions. Detailed summary sheet for revision This comprehensive printout provides a thorough breakdown of the domestic and Latin American policy achievements and…
Classroom debate: Which President achieved the most for the USA and for Latin America?
These resources are a great way to tie together a study of History of Americas. They specifically cover the period 1945-1980 but the approaches used are easily adaptable for other time periods and regions. Who was the best US President for the Americas? Classroom debate: Which President achieved the most for the USA and for…
Comprehensive Summary Sheet for Revision: The Civil Rights Movement to 1965
Comprehensive Summary Sheet for Revision: The Civil Rights Movement to 1965 A thorough and essential revision aid over several pages. Suggested tasks: People: Decide upon the most important individuals in the civil rights movement (highlighted in yellow). Divide these between the class to research further, then conduct a classroom balloon debate to determine the overall…
Revision Summary Sheet: anti-apartheid resistance groups
Revision Summary Sheet: anti-apartheid resistance groups An illustrated summary sheet of the aims and objectives of various resistance groups – an ideal revision aid. The IB Paper 1 (sourcework) option “Rights and Protest” requires students to cover two case studies: Case study 1: Civil rights movement in the United States (1954-1965) Case study 2: Apartheid…
Using drinking straws to study competition, co-operation and the arms race
Overview This short, simple but effective exercise (requiring nothing more than some drinking straws) helps students understand about the limits of co-operation, the dangers of unbridled rivalry and the importance of co-operation. In this sense it can be used in a variety of contexts but I personally use it to provoke a discussion about the…
Design “Tubular Timeline Towers” for chronological understanding
Overview As a ‘choose your own homework‘ option, suggest to students that they consolidate their chronological understanding by constructing a “Tubular Timeline Tower”. Case Study In the February holidays, I give an open homework task to students who will be taking public exams in May. I ask them to choose any topic that they are…
Develop persuasive vocabulary with a ‘biased words knockout challenge’
Overview One important literacy skill is for students to use (and, increasingly, to spot) writing which is designed to persuade rather than merely inform. To do this, get students to produce a list of biased adjectives and then set up quick-fire competition: each member of the class has to take it in turns to contribute…
“History in your pocket”: Coins as sources
Overview This great idea was developed from an idea shared by @histHartford. This photo comes from Mr. Atkinson (@AtkoHistory) and was shared to the #historyteacher hashtag on Twitter by @EllenWicks: Taking it further Students should be encouraged to bring in coins and banknotes from their foreign travels at the start of the Autumn term. This…
Student bookmark: Key vocabulary for essay writing
Overview I have designed the following bookmark in order to help students use a richer range of vocabulary to express their ideas more clearly in essays: Sets of these bookmarks can be printed off, laminated, cut out, and then shared with students to keep in their planners or textbooks. Download Student bookmark: vocabulary for essay writing
Use “EyeSay!” to give visual feedback on student essays
“EyeSay!” is a new tool I have coded at www.classtools.net to help students and teachers get a useful visualisation of essay style and structure. Students simply copy and paste their essay from a word processor, and then the web application colour-codes its central stylistic features. For students, it helps them develop their writing – They…
Medieval Realms: Revision quiz
A new interactive quiz to test chronological understanding.
Nazi Germany: “Play your dates right!” quiz
A new interactive quiz to test chronological understanding.
World War One: Interactive revision quiz
A new interactive quiz to test chronological understanding.
Modern World History 1870-1939: “Play Your Dates Right!” interactive quiz
A new interactive quiz to develop chronological understanding.
Rights and Protest Sourcework Sample: The Rivonia Trial
The following materials are designed to provide teachers and students with practice sourework exercises for the “Rights and Protest” topic in the IB History examination. The Rivonia Trial: Did Mandela’s decision to abandon nonviolence do more harm than good? Complete sourcework exercise in the style of IB, with model answers provided.
