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. Share this:

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. Share this:

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. Share this:

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. Share this:

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. Share this:

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. Share this:

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. Share this:

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. Share this:

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. Share this:

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. Share this:

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. Share this:

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. Share this:

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. Share this:

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. Share this:

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. Share this:

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. Share this:

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. Share this:

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. Share this:

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. Share this:

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. Share this:

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. Share this:

*NEW* Simulation – Worst Georgian Jobs in History

I’ve just launched another brand new simulation on ActiveHistory – “The Worst Georgian Jobs in History”. Designed to run as a self-contained activity, students answer a series of questions to get matched to their ideal “worst job”. Complete with a worksheet and tests of factual knowledge. Share this:

World War One Trenches Simulation

I have made some major improvements to the popular “Can you survive the trenches of World War One?” simulation, in particular adding more multimedia clips and decision points. Share this:

The Mid-Tudor Crisis under Edward VI: New Simulation

A new ActiveHistory simulation. It is 1547. King Henry VIII is dead, and his young son, Edward VI, has become King. Ruling on his behalf is the Privy Council, led by Protector Somerset (the boy’s uncle). Your task is to stay alive for the duration of the reign by keeping the country on an even…

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. Share this:

Who were the greatest characters of the Wild West?

Who were the greatest characters of the Wild West? I use this as an extension activity for students who complete the simulation within the three hours which I allocate to it. Students have to research various characters and then choose one “Cowboy”, one “Cowgirl” and one Native American who will be included in their film…

The Red Scare: Classroom simulation!

In this educational simulation, students each research a different character secretly. One of them was a genuine communist, the rest were innocent of the charges. Then, after each one is interrogated (HUAC style!) by the teacher, students have to organise themselves over several rounds into different groups in an attempt to identify the communist within…

Podcast Worksheet: Mandela, an Audio History

Podcast Worksheet: Mandela, an Audio History Students provide answers to the following questions using the first 24 minutes of this podcast from the BBC, which covers Mandela’s life up to his imprisonment in 1964. Share this:

War in Ukraine: Worksheet / Lesson Plan

In February 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine, an independent sovereign nation. The international community overwhelmingly condemned this act of aggression.  What are Russia’s motives for acting in this way?  And what is the best way forward to bring lasting peace and stability back to Europe?  I developed these lesson materials to help my students learn about…

Rise of Pinochet: Diplomatic Causes

Diplomatic causes: To what extent was President Nixon responsible for the overthrow of democracy in Chile? | Primary sources pack | Completed teacher version In this second part of the study, students investigate whether the USA was responsible for engineering both Allende’s failures and Pinochet’s coup. Part of the complete scheme of work on the rise and rule of…

Rise of Pinochet: Domestic Causes

Domestic causes: How popular was Allende with his own people at the time of his overthrow? | Completed teacher version In this task, students consider how far the Chilean coup can be explained in terms of domestic factors – in particular, whether it is accurate to say that Allende precipitated his own overthrow with divisive and unpopular…

1066: Battle of Hastings Simulation

I have completely recoded and relaunched this popular simulation, adding a variety of multimedia clips and interactive graphics. Share this:

Spanish Civil War: Video Worksheets

Video Worksheet: Causes of the Spanish Civil War – Part 1, 1931-1935 | Completed Teacher Version A structured worksheet based around a classic video documentary about the Spanish Civil War, which is available online. Video Worksheet: Causes of the Spanish Civil War – Part 2, 1936 | Completed Teacher Version A structured worksheet based around a classic video documentary…

Spanish Civil War: Detailed Analysis and Video Documentary Clips

Detailed Analysis and Video Documentary Clips In this activity, students consider not only the role of the Republic, the Nationalists and Foreign powers in the conflict, but also the role played by political, socio-economic and military factors. They begin by using ideas from their timeline (previous activity) and the move on to watch a series…

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 Share this:

Design a Film Poster / Trailer about the Aztecs and the Conquistadors

Design a Film Poster / Trailer about the Aztecs and the Conquistadors “You are a Hollywood director producing a film about the Conquest of the Aztec Empire by Cortes. You will produce a poster advertising your film, including:– A dramatic title for the film– 4 “Screenshots” from the film depicting the key events of the story– Captions under each screenshot…

In Defence of Apartheid

In Defence of Apartheid Students listen to three short video interview clips with contemporary witnesses justifying the policy of apartheid, and make notes on each. Part of the Apartheid South Africa scheme of work at ActiveHistory. Share this:

Flashpoint: Berlin – Events 1948-1960

Flashpoint: Berlin – Events 1948-1960 This lesson provides an overview of the Berlin Blockade, structured questions around a video documentary covering the period, and a cartoon sourcework question. Part of the scheme of work on Soviet Control of Eastern Europe at ActiveHistory. Share this:

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…

Essay Keywords Checker: Castro’s Rule of Cuba

Essay Keywords Checker: Castro’s Rule of Cuba This tool provided a list of key terms relating to Castro’s rule of Cuba and can be used to help students identify any obvious gaps in their analysis. Part of the new scheme of work on Castro’s Rule. Share this:

Castro’s Rule: Past IB Paper 2 / Paper 3 Essay Questions

Past IB Paper 2 / Paper 3 Essay Questions Students can highlight different themes in different colours and highlight dates in red and use these to discuss the most common themes and perspectives focused on by the examiner. Part of the new scheme of work on the Rule of Castro. Share this:

Castro Essay Planning Exercises | Matrix Grids – Blogpost | Sample Student Slides

Essay Planning Exercises | Matrix Grids – Blogpost | Sample Student Slides In this phase, students use their research to consider how they could use it to answer two possible questions:Was Castro’s use of propaganda more important than his use of force as a means of maintaining power?How Authoritarian was Castro’s Cuba? Part of the new scheme of work…

Castro’s Rule: Classroom Debate and Arbitration Exercise

Classroom Debate and Arbitration Exercise In this stage, students work with the same student(s) that looked at the same policy, from the same perspective, as themselves. Together, they produce a joint presentation to the rest of the class designed to persuade them that in your policy area Castro was a success or a failure as…

Castro’s Objectives, Policies, and Research Focus Points

Castro’s Objectives, Policies, and Research Focus Points | Teacher Notes Each student should focus on a different policy area, and identify elements of success OR failure in preparation for a debate.. Students first consider how rulers measure their success in terms of economics, politics and so on. If you have IB Geography students willing to do so,…

Measuring Castro’s success on his own terms: Populism, Nationalism, Socialism

Measuring Castro’s success on his own terms: Populism, Nationalism, Socialism This short presentation, which closes with a 5-minute video clip providing a recap on Castro’s rise, sets up the unit by stressing the importance to students of measuring Castro on his own terms, and providing definitions of three criteria by which to do so. Part…

“Image Revealer”

I have completely recoded and relaunched this “image revealer” template so that you can now save your image / tile configuration ad get a unique URL to embed in your website! Share this:

An Introduction to Theory of Knowledge in History

An Introduction to Theory of Knowledge in History [online multimedia lecture] In this 20-slide presentation, students are introduced to the concept that “Knowledge” in History consists not only of the selection of facts from an incomplete historical record, but the interpretation of those facts and of the gaps in that record by historians. There is…

Hitler’s Foreign Policy 1938-39

Uniting all Germans: Anschluss and the Sudetenland | Teacher Slideshow Complete with structured questions and sourcework, students are guided through the main events through a decision-making exercise. Invading Foreign Territory: Czechoslovakia and Poland | Teacher Slideshow Students examine a series of sources and watch video clips to build up their knowledge. Share this:

Germany, Italy and the Spanish Civil War | Teacher Slideshow

Germany, Italy and the Spanish Civil War | Teacher Slideshow A detailed workpack broken into three key sections, with structured questions and sourcework tasks:What was the Spanish Civil War?Why did Germany get involved in the Spanish Civil War?What did Germany Contribute to the Spanish Civil War? Share this:

Causes of World War Two: New Resources

I have uploaded a lot of new materials for my studies of the Origins of World War Two in the 1930s, meaning that I have now created several dedicated sections of the website to keep the topic manageable: The Great Depression Manchuria / Abyssinia Hitler’s Foreign Policy Appeasement Appeasement: Depth Study Share this:

Appeasement: Sourcework Questions and Model Answers

Sourcework Questions and Model Answers 1. Study Sources A and B. How far do these two sources agree? Explain your answer using the sources.2. Study Sources B and C. How far does Source C make Chamberlain’s attitude in Source B surprising? Share this:

Silent Discussion: Was the policy of appeasement “Spineless”, “Stupid”, “Cunning” or “Honourable”?

Silent Discussion: Was the policy of appeasement “Spineless”, “Stupid”, “Cunning” or “Honourable”? | Sources | Completed Teacher Version The teacher now presents the class with a series of sources in the form of a “silent debate”. For each one, decide which interpretation (honorable, cunning, stupid or cowardly) it substantiates, and then summarise its argument. Finally, take a vote on…

Was Hitler a Gambler, or a Planner, in Foreign Affairs?

The Historiography of World War Two: Was Hitler a Gambler, or a Planner, in Foreign Affairs? The AJP Taylor debate is explained here clearly, with discussion points attached and reference made to other historians who have contributed to the debate. Share this:

Five Key Sources: Was Hitler a Gambler, or a Planner?

Five Key Sources: Was Hitler a Gambler, or a Planner? To investigate further this key question, students examine five central sources: Mein Kampf, The Four Year Plan, the Hossbach Memorandum, Code Green, and Goering’s testimony at the Nuremberg War Trials. Share this:

Roleplay: The Manchurian Crisis

Roleplay: The Manchurian Crisis | Rolecards This roleplay exercise is a great way to get students thinking about the possible courses of action open to the League. Students are given an essential briefing about the Manchurian Dispute, and are then organised into five groups representing different countries. Each country is given a role card outlining what course…

How similar were the Manchurian and Abyssinian Crises?

Conclusions: How similar were the Manchurian and Abyssinian Crises? | Teacher Model Answers Students are provided with a writing frame which helps them compare and contrast the causes, course and consequences of the two crises. Share this:

Visual Essay-Writing Exercise: The Manchurian and Abyssinian Crises

Visual Essay-Writing Exercise: The Manchurian and Abyssinian Crises | Manchuria Cartoons | Abyssinia Cartoons Break the class into two groups. One will focus on the first crisis, one on the second. They should then construct an essay about the causes, course and consequences of their allocated crisis using the cartoons about Manchuria or Abyssinia as appropriate. Share this:

Codemaker Worksheet Generator

Codemaker: a great way to help students learn essential factual points! This simple interface will convert a narrative account into a secret code using a substitution cypher. When you click ‘Submit’ it will beturned into a worksheet for your class which you can print out or copy and paste into a word processor for further…

*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…

New Simulation: Hitler’s Foreign Policy in the 1930s

This new simulation is designed to help students form an opinion as to whether Hitler was a gambler or a planner in foreign affairs, and how far his foreign policy objectives could be justified. It comes complete with work pack, media clips, and a ‘save game’ feature. Part of the International Relations in the 1930s…

The Roman Empire: PowerPoint Introduction

This simulation is designed to provide students with an engaging, enjoyable and rigorous introduction to Imperial Rome. As they journey around the virtual landscape, they will learn about the main personalities and chornology of the Empire through the “Emperors” worksheet, and learn about the main achievements and inventions of Rome through the “Roman Holiday” worksheet. Ideally, students should…

Conclusions and Essay Planning: Cold War Crises and Leaders to 1964

Conclusions and Essay Planning: Cold War Crises and Leaders to 1964 Students are provided with eight possible essay questions from past examination papers, along with indicative content. These should be shared among the members of the class to tackle. Part of the scheme of work on JFK’s Foreign Policy at ActiveHistory. Share this:

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…

Horatio Ramsbottom: Victorian Entrepreneur

Horatio Ramsbottom: Victorian Entrepreneur In this newly relaunched version of the popular simulation, students take a series of decisions about how to run their new business. How should the workers be treated? What transport system should be used? Should they invest in the triangular trade and the Great Exhibition? Complete with a worksheet and follow-up…

Video / Worksheet: Carcassonne, Medieval Fortress

Video / Worksheet: Carcassonne, Medieval Fortress A worksheet to accompany an 18-minute video, with a link to an online version of the documentary. Ideal as a homework or an extension activity (or as a quiet lesson for the teacher!). Share this:

Design your ultimate music festival!

Teen music fashions since the 1960s: can you design your ultimate festival line-up? | Sample poster | More sample posters In this activity you will learn about some of the most important music genres that developed from the 1960s onwards. You will use what you learn to produce your own personal music festival with the very best bands, and…

US withdrawal from Afghanistan – FREE topical lessons

US withdrawal from Afghanistan – FREE topical lessons I’ve put together a couple of activities to help students understand what’s been going on in Afghanistan recently and how the West should now rethink its policy there. They’re primarily designed for my 15-16 year old form group rather than my IB Historians but they could be…

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…

Online Dice Roller

Online Dice Roller Add up to six dice to roll for classroom games and activities. Let me know if you have any feature requests! Share this:

Tarsia Puzzle Generator

*NEW* Tarsia Puzzle Generator! I’ve been working on a new template at ClassTools.net which allows you to quickly create Tarsia jigsaw puzzles for your classes. Hope you find it useful – let me know if you have any suggestions for improvements and I’ll see what I can do! Share this:

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….

Interactive Simulation: Who was the Greatest Mughal Emperor?

Interactive Simulation: Who was the Greatest Mughal Emperor? | Student Worksheet | Teacher Answers This simulation provides a detailed overview of the lives and careers of the first six Mughal Emperors. Students give their opinion on how they hope the emperors will react in various circumstances, and form their own judgement on which emperors deserve to be regarded as…

What do portraits of the emperors tell us about the Mughals?

What do portraits of the emperors tell us about the Mughals? | Accompanying Images | Captions and Descriptions A number of portraits are chopped up and spread around the room. Students are placed in groups to reconstruct these in various stages, with a number of stimulating tasks to complete as they do so. Once the process is finished and…

Which emperor’s name do you think is the greatest?

Which emperor’s name do you think is the greatest? | Teacher answers Each emperor adopted a special name upon coming to power (Jehangir’s real name, for example, was Nur-ud-din Muhammad Salim!). “Rank the following names from your most favourite to your least favourite. As for the maps, give these scores of 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 and…

Who do the maps suggest was the greatest Emperor?

Who do the maps suggest was the greatest Emperor? | Animated Map Working alone or with a partner, students decide – based on the information from a series of maps – which of the emperors deserves to be regarded as the greatest, and why. They then rank the emperors from 5 points (best) to 0 points (worst)….

How did the Mughal Empire compare to others of the time?

How did the Mughal Empire compare to others of the time? | Teacher answers Students complete a gap-fill exercise providing an overview of the Mughal Empire, and then examine different maps comparing the Mughal Empire to other Islamic Empires of the period. Part of the new scheme of work on the Mughal Empire. Share this:

How do the Mughals still affect the shape of the region?

How do the Mughals still affect the shape of the region? This worksheet should be provided to students to fill in as the teacher delivers the introductory presentation. Part of the new scheme of work on the Mughal Empire. Share this: