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 sample poster.
2.
The
Battle for the throne: 1066 [Interactive]
A decision-making simulation as King Harold - will you survive the challenges to your throne? Students should complete this worksheet that accompanies the game. 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 could be recorded in a markbook). As an extension activity, students should complete the Key word list by playing the game a second time; this can later be used as the basis for a factual test or a Fling the Teacher challenge (the first few people to finish the quiz successfully get rewards!).
Mapwork: The Events of 1066
This is an optional worksheet which can be used as an extension activity. Students plot the main events and battles onto an outline map with brief explanations.
Essay Task: Why did William the Conqueror win the Battle of Hastings?
Working with the same points as last lesson, students now categorise these factors to decide whether William's victory was down to luck, his skill, or Harold's mistakes. They then turn this into their first history essay.
7.
What sort of a man was William the Conqueror? [Interactive]
A Head2Head interview with the Norman hero! Complete with a range of worksheets and lesson plans and a teacher sheet. You can ask William any question you like, and he answers by means of artificial intelligence calling upon a massive database of answers. A completely original way of learning about the Norman Conquest!
8.
Key word list Students should complete this list either as they progress through the unit, or at the end as preparation for one of the following tests.
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).
2.
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.
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.
End of Unit Test: Structured Question
Students are presented with a variety of possible test questions to revise from. The teacher then chooses one of these questions at random in a subsequent lesson as a timed exercise.
