A selection of quizzes and activities designed to help Year 8 History students revise the year’s work prior to their summer exams. Share this:
Medieval Realms Revision Activities
In this exercise students organise slips of information into appropriate categories, reduce them down to just 15, and use them to answer the question “Was Life Good or Bad in the Middle Ages?”. They work in teams of two or three, and at various points during the exercise the teacher will test each team with…
Songs for the History Classroom: British Empire, Slavery and Civil Rights
I’m just having a play with Grooveshark.com to see if I can create some playlists for use in the classroom…! Share this:
The Execution of King Charles I, 1649
The Execution of King Charles I: Film and Primary Source Analysis How accurately has the event been depicted in films such as Cromwell (1970) and To Kill a King (2002)? The video clips are accessible at YouTube: [Cromwell (1970)] [To Kill a King (2002)] Share this:
Year 9 History Revision
A selection of quizzes and activities designed to help Year 9 History students revise the year’s work prior to their summer exams. Share this:
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! Share this:
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! Share this:
Interactive Newsfeed: The Events of the Spanish Civil War
Students complete this worksheet using the interactive newsfeed activity, and then categorise the information thematically to begin analysing the causes for Franco’s victory. Share this:
Introduction to the Spanish Civil War
“Introduction: The Outcome of the Spanish Civil War was by no means a foregone conclusion” This worksheet will later be used as the basis for the introduction to the main essay “Why did Franco win the Spanish Civil War?” Share this:
The Trial of King Charles I: Film Analysis
How accurately has the event been depicted in films such as Cromwell (1970) and To Kill a King (2002)? The lesson can be accompanied by the second part of the Prezi Presentation.The video clips are embedded within it, but they are also accessible at YouTube: [Cromwell (1970)] [To Kill a King (2002)]. This resource can…
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…
The Events of the English Civil War
An overview of the main events of the English Civil War is provided, and a discussion takes place as to whether the King should be put on trial. The lesson can be accompanied by the first part of a Prezi Presentation. This resource can be found within this complete Key Stage 3 History Study Unit…
King Charles I: Venn Diagram
A thematic analysis of the problems leading up to the outbreak of the English Civil War. This resource can be found within this complete Key Stage 3 History Study Unit on the English Civil War. Share this:
King Charles I: Timeline Analysis
A chronological analysis of the problems leading up to the outbreak of the English Civil War. This resource can be found within this complete Key Stage 3 History Study Unit on the English Civil War. Share this:
Medieval Images of Hell – Video
A short video I put together for my Year 7 students as a “starter” to their studies of views of Hell in the Middle Ages. Share this:
King Charles I: Overview Decision Making Game
Students play as King Charles I and try to avoid taking the country into a Civil War. Comes complete with a worksheet and follow-up activities. This resource can be found within this complete Key Stage 3 History Study Unit on the English Civil War. Share this:
Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot
An in-depth investigation into the Gunpowder plot making use of primary source materials to help students decide whether the Catholics were “framed”. There is a PowerPoint Slide could be used as a starter to the lesson, and there a Fling the Teacher Quiz which can be used as a factual test. This resource can be…
King James I: An Overview
Students consider the personality and policies of King James I as a long-term explanation for the outbreak of the Civil War. This resource can be found within this complete Key Stage 3 History Study Unit on the English Civil War. Share this:
Causes of the English Civil War: Powerpoint lesson starter
A series of images and short textual points designed to generate student interest. What was the Civil War? Why is it important to study? This resource can be found within this complete Key Stage 3 History Study Unit on the English Civil War. Share this:
Why did Germany and her Allies Lose the First World War?
Essay Project: Linking and prioritising, writing up the essay Students then use this worksheet to spot connections between the major themes rather than simply discuss each one in isolation. Share this:
Who Killed King William Rufus?
Analyse and categorise the evidence to solve this medieval mystery! Share this:
End of Topic Debate: Was William the Conqueror a Hero or a Villain?
The class is divided into two groups to debate the key question in the format of a courtroom trial. Share this:
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. Share this:
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. Share this:
History Classroom Posters
Was the Black Death a blessing in disguise? Was Victoria’s Empire racist? – 15 key questions, with illustrations, to put up around the classroom. A full set of poster resources can be found on this page. Share this:
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?” Share this:
Famous History Graduates
An image of 27 well-known History graduates. The appropriate point at which to watch this video is made clear in the PowerPoint presentation above. Get the class into teams. Each team will take it in turns to name a different face. Teams are “knocked out†when they run out of ideas. The winning team will…
GCSE Modern World History – Google Earth Tour
After watching the film, students should watch this Google Earth Tour and list the 10 key personalities shown in it based on what they learned from the film. As the tour progresses, give some clues / anecdotes about each character to maintain interest. Award merits to the best scoring students in the class. A full…
GCSE Modern World History – Video!
A three-minute video I put together to give students an overview of some of the main events and personalities of the 20th Century. The appropriate point at which to watch this video is made clear in the PowerPoint presentation above. Before students watch the film, warn them that there will be a quick factual test…
Choosing History at GCSE: PowerPoint
A comprehensive PowerPoint presentation which forms the basis of the lesson. Packed with loads of useful information about famous history graduates, skills and content covered by the GCSE Modern World History Course. Activities and discussion points are sprinkled throughout to maintain interest and engagement. Full materials for Year 9 options can be found here. Share…
Why did Germany and her Allies Lose World War One?
Essay Project: Gathering the Information [interactive] Students begin by using interactive running dictation exercise to complete this worksheet. This will enable them to get a thorough grounding in the political, military, cultural and economic reasons why Germany and her allies lost World War One. It will also get them to consider whether Allied strengths, or…
Origins of the British Empire
An example of how Xtranormal can be used as a learning tool: this project was produced as a homework project by one of my Year 9 students. Share this:
Year 8 Civil War Projects
As part of their studies of the Causes of the English Civil War, Year 8 historians produced a project in the format of their choice. Here is Mark’s outstanding effort, which earned him a commendation. Here are some other examples of great projects in the form of “Chatshow Debates” created using Xtranormal: Warren | Lucy…
The Wall Street Crash Simulation
A completely overhauled version of the simulation game about the Wall Street Crash. Students are presented with historically accurate details about the events of the 1920s and decide whether to buy or shares at each stage. A great way of analysing the causes and events of the crash; complete with a worksheet. Share this:
Hitler’s Foreign Policy: Simulation
A new decision-making simulation about Hitler’s Foreign Policy and the Origins of World War Two. By playing this game you will learn about how Hitler’s policies led to World War Two, and consider whether this war could have been prevented. There are three worksheets to go with this activity, which easily fills a full one-hour…
My ICT Memories….!
Recently posted on Andrew Field’s site – oh, the nostalgia! Share this:
Year 9 History – Expansion, Trade and Industry
A new workpack to accompany the Coalbrookdale Interactive Census. This completely stand-alone workpack provides 5-6 hours worth of lessons and is a great way to develop sourcework analysis skills. Share this:
Turning Page Generator
A new template designed for ActiveHistory’s sister website, www.classtools.net. Share this:
Venn Diagram Template
Newly updated: create 2-circle as well as 3-circle venn diagrams at www.classtools.net Share this:
Using Facebook in the Classroom
I’m always keen to make use of technologies which students are obsessed with – and one of the most popular is Facebook. I had the idea that the “newsfeed” feature offered fantastic opportunities to produce timelines of topic-based events in an engaging way. Take a look at this “Causes of the Russian Revolution” Facebook Newsfeed….
Flashcard Generator
A new Flashcard Generator template designed for www.classtools.net. Share this:
League of Nations – End of Unit Essay Task
A new League of Nations worksheet for IGCSE to accompany the new decision making game. Share this:
Agreements Reached Outside the League of Nations
A new League of Nations worksheet for IGCSE to accompany the new decision making game. Share this:
League of Nations – Disarmament
A new League of Nations worksheet for IGCSE to accompany the new decision making game. Share this:
Prezi: A Quickstart Guide for teachers and students
I am a big fan of Prezi – the web2.0 application that blows PowerPoint clean out of the water in terms of functionality. I’ve been trying it out in class over the past couple of weeks and I’ve been very impressed with it. I’ve put together a Quickstart Guide to Prezi which you can share…
League of Nations – Social Problems
A new League of Nations worksheet for IGCSE to accompany the new decision making game. Share this:
League of Nations – Border Disputes – Extension Task
A new League of Nations worksheet for IGCSE to accompany the new decision making game. Share this:
The League of Nations – Border Disputes
A new League of Nations worksheet for IGCSE to accompany the new decision making game. Share this:
League of Nations – Structural Problems
A new League of Nations worksheet for IGCSE to accompany the new decision making game. Share this:
Membership Problems – Extension Task
A new League of Nations worksheet for IGCSE to accompany the new decision making game. Share this:
League of Nations – Membership Problems
A new worksheet for IGCSE to accompany the new decision making game. Share this:
Aims and Strengths of the League of Nations
A new worksheet for IGCSE to accompany the new decision making game. Share this:
Build your own Castle!
A completely updated version of the popular Medieval Realms Castles Game, in which students design their own castle and by so doing learn all about the key features of castle design. New additions to this game include factual questions as the story proceeds, so that the students are given two scores at the end: one…
Culture of the Weimar Republic
A new Fling the Teacher Quiz with 30 randomised questions for GCSE History. Share this:
The Black Death – Simulation / Self-Marking Assessment
A brand new simulation – A self-marking assessment testing both factual knowledge and sourcework skills. Students can play the game for as long as they wish, then at the end they are presented with two scores in the form of a certificate, both of which can be handed to the teacher to put into the…
A Twitter / Delicious Mashup Solution
If you use Delicious for social bookmarking, and Twitter for microblogging, it is frequently the case that you wish to send a link to both services. It is rather tedious to have to do both tasks separately: fortunately it is also unnecessary. To send a link to your Delicious and Twitter accounts simultaneously: 1. Bookmark…
The Domesday Book [2]: How useful is it?
This second worksheet encourages students to start thinking about “usefulness” as a sourcework concept by comparing the strengths and weaknesses of this source to that of the Bayeux Tapestry and (if they have studied it) the Luttrell Psalter. Share this:
The Domesday Book [1]: What was it?
An introductory worksheet to the Domesday Book – what it was, what it asked, why it was produced. Share this:
The Feudal System
Students have to construct their own diagram of the feudal system based on examples in this powerpoint presentation. A sample piece of work from a former student is available here. Share this:
Hereward the Wake Cut ‘n’ Paste Activity
Use Word, Publisher and the net to reconstruct the story of this Saxon resistance fighter and produce their own report (c.1 hour in classroom, can be split into 2 sessions). Share this:
Arcade Game Generator
This interface allows you to create 5 Flash quizzes with just one set of questions, completely free of charge! Share this:
Causes for Germany’s Defeat in World War One: Quiz
30 possible questions in this quiz based on the information in the worksheets within this unit. Share this:
Sourcework Project: Why did Germany and her Allies Lose World War One?
A sourcework exercise in the style of the International Baccalaureate. There is also a generic markscheme and suggestions on how to structure each answer. Share this:
Interactive Cartoon Analysis: German involvement in the Spanish Civil War
Five cartoons, 10 questions: students provide their own answers using the writing framework provided, then they can compare their answers alongside model answers which I have written to help them revise. A great way to develop sourcework skills. Share this:
German involvement in the Spanish Civil War – Sourcework
A new sourcework exercise complete with markscheme, to accompany the complete scheme of work designed to accompany the IGCSE compulsory sourcework paper for summer 2009. Share this:
Social and Economic Impact of the First World War
In this worksheet, students consider the types of questions that come up in the exam, and use the wikis produced by each other to plan and then write an answer. Share this:
Economic and Social Impact of World War One
Wiki Project: In this worksheet, students are allocated different research projects about World War One upon which to produce a wiki page [samples available here]. Share this:
Napoleon Bonaparte: Hero or Villain?
Students conduct a “round robin” exercise, gathering information from their classmates after each student is given just one piece of information from this list. They then have to categorise their points and put them into a diagram using classtools.net. Share this:
1066 Quiz
A new end-of-unit quiz for Year 7 students. Share this:
The Trial and Execution of King Louis XVI
Primary sources and discussion points relating to the events leading to the death of King Louis XVI (and of Marie-Antoinette). Share this:
Tsar Alexander II Essay Planning Task: “To what extent does he deserve his title of the ‘Tsar Liberator’?”
A skeleton essay framework to help students round off the topic of study. Share this:
The Flight to Varennes [interactive]
A worksheet to run alongside this innovative activity designed to bring the drama of King Louis XVI’s desperate gamble alive Share this:
The Tennis Court Oath
A role-play lesson. Students consider how they would have voted on each of the key issues discussed at the Tennis Court, then compare these to what was actually decided. Share this:
The Growth of Political Opposition in the Reign of Alexander II
A detailed handout outlining the growth of political opposition in the reign of Alexander. Students are encouraged to turn this into an illustrated mindmap. Share this:
Causes of the French Revolution: Assessment
Students are provided with a list of possible questions for a GCSE-style test. In a subsequent lesson, the teacher should pick one question at random and the students write their answers in a timed exercise. Share this:
Tsar Alexander II’s Other Reforms: Introduction
Students get into role as government advisors and consider the merits and drawbacks of various possible reforms. They take a class vote and they can then compare these ideas to what was ultimately decided to reach a deeper judgement on the value of Alexander’s reforms. Share this:
Short Term Causes of the French Revolution: Marie-Antoinette
The teacher should start by showing students this PowerPoint Presentation of stills from the Kirsten Dunst film to decide what impression is being created. They then use the worksheet to decide how accurate the interpretation actually is. Share this:
The Emancipation of the Serfs: Essay-Planning Task
A skeleton essay framework to help students answer the question “For what reasons, and with what results, did Alexander II Emancipate the Serfs in 1861?” Share this:
Short-Term Causes of the French Revolution: King Louis XVI
A good King? A good man? both? neither?! Students reach their verdict after looking at a variety of primary sources. Share this:
The Emancipation of the Serfs: Assessment
A structured writing framework designed to help students consolidate their knowledge and understanding thus far. Share this:
Mid-Term Causes of the French Revolution: War, Economy, Philosophers
Which of these three were the most important? And what nasty “dirt” can we find out on each of these philosophers to minimise the damage to the King? Share this:
The Edict of Emancipation: Sourcework Analysis
Students read through the Edict of Emancipation of 1861 and use it to consider the motives and methods of Tsar Alexander II. In addition, students are asked to consider how he seeks to allay the fears of the nobility. Share this:
The Fall of the Bastille: Running Dictation Exercise [interactive]
An innovative activity designed to help students learn about the opening stages of the Revolution. There is a worksheet that can be used to accompany the activity. Share this:
The Emancipation of the Serfs: Events
The stages of the Emancipation of the Serfs are covered in this worksheet. Share this:
Why does the French Revolution Matter? – Teacher PowerPoint Starter
A presentation designed to generate student interest and establish the relevance of the subject. Share this:
The Emancipation of the Serfs: Dangers
The benefits of Emancipation are obvious – so why did it take so long for the Tsars to carry out the programme, and why did the prospect generate so much opposition? This worksheet gets students in role to consider the possible drawbacks of various courses of action. Share this:
Tsar Alexander II: Conclusion
Students are required to produce an obituary – either positive or negative – in this structured task. Share this:
The Emancipation of the Serfs: Causes
Students consider the main problems facing Imperial Russia when Alexander became Tsar, and how each of these could be improved by the Emancipation of the Serfs. A good way of providing an overview of the situation, and of encouraging students to link factors. Share this:
Alexander II: An Introduction
Students consider accounts about the assassination of Tsar Alexander II to start considering why he was a figure who divides historical opinion. Share this:
Worst Jobs in History
A totally updated version of this interactive, self-contained game designed to teach students about some of the worst jobs available to young people in Victorian, Tudor and Middle Ages Britain. Simply answer a series of questions about your personality and preferences, and get a full description of your perfect working-class job. A workheet is provided…
Create a Map of Imperial Russia
In this worksheet, students are given a list of cities, regions and natural features in Imperial Russia, a knowledge of which is essential for an understanding of the topic. They then have to produce a labelled, colour-coded map which they will be able to refer back to throoughout their studies. Share this:
World War One Simulation: Life in the Trenches
A brand new release of this popular decision-making game for GCSE History. In this game you will be a British soldier who joins the army in 1914 to fight the Germans. You will have to make decisions in tough circumstances. At the end you will be given a score. By playing this game you will…
Political Quiz: Am I Labour, Conservative, Liberal Democract?
A new version of the comprehensive decision making exercise, with a facility for class results to be emailed as a batch to the teacher at the end of the session. Share this:
Castles Game
An updated version of the “Attack the Castle!” game for Year 7 Medieval Realms. A game of strategy: Spend your budget on your choice of features, then read a story of how your castle fares when faced with attack! In this new version, students are asked factual knowledge questions as they progress, and then their…
Year 7 Medieval Realms: Was Life Good or Bad in the Middle Ages?
A new lesson plan to accompany the popular Time Machine Journey to the Middle Ages. Students are divided into two groups. The “Good” group approach their argument by producing a tourist brochure highlighting all of the great jobs, places and people in the town and the village. The “Bad” group instead write an angry letter…
Growth of the British Empire: The Triangular Slave Trade
The Trade Triangle is explained and then students produce a “living graph” of the experience on board the ships using www.classtools.net. Share this:
NEW GAME: How would you have run the League of Nations?
Be in role as an ambitious civil servant on the make! Complete with two worksheets, this game forms the basis of the topic and thoroughly covers all of the important issues for GCSCE History. Share this:
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. Share this:
Sourcework Exercise: The Causes of the Spanish Civil War
A selection of sources and questions designed to round off the unit on the Causes of the Spanish Civil War. Share this:
Causes of the Spanish Civil War: Introduction and Overview Worksheet
This worksheet helps students understand the significance of the Spanish Civil War. It should be used in conjunction with this PowerPoint Presentation. Share this:
