Expansion, Trade and Industry

A. Causes of the Industrial Revolution

1.	PowerPoint Introduction / Starter Quiz This Powerpoint presentation oulines why this is such an important subject to study, and provides an overview of the main changes of the period. It also gives an overview about how the topic will be investigated, and there is a worksheet quiz to accompany the presentation.
2.	Venn Diagram / PowerPoint Lesson What does it take to be a successful businessperson? As an introduction, students consider the careers of Bill Gates, Richard Branson and James Dyson (teachers can use this powerpoint as an aid). They compare the three men using a Venn Diagram and then each student considers whether they have what it takes to succeed in business.
3.	Interactive Game Horatio Ramsbottom: Victorian Entrepreneur 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 tasks, this activity provides a thorough overview of the main factors affecting the Industrial Revolution. There is also a paper-based factual test that can be used to test how much students have learned., and a markscheme for the follow-up newspaper report task.
4.	Balloon Debate / Research Task Who was the most important person in the Industrial Revolution? Each student produces a single powerpoint slide (using this template) as a key figure from the industrial revolution period explaining why "they" deserve to be remembered as the most important character overall. The debate which follows is a great way of encouraging students to link and prioritise different types of achievements.
5.	Linking and Prioritising Factors What was the most important cause of the Industrial Revolution? [Part 1 \| Part 2] This lesson follows on well from the studies of individuals. Students consider the big changes - transport, agriculture, smelting and so on - and try to link them together in a meaningful way. Here are some samples produced by my own students: Olivia \| Hanif \| Grace
6.	Extension Activity Flash Jigsaw Exercise: Causes of the Industrial Revolution (based at www.classtools.net interactive whiteboard resources)

B. Effects of the Industrial Revolution

1.	Timeline Task: the Industrial Revolution Students are presented with a detailed timeline of information about the Industrial Revolution and a series of tasks encourages them to categorise and periodise them meaningfully. A good homework / extension acivity.
2.	Crime and Punishment - Decision Making Game You be the Judge! Pass sentence on ten criminals from the nineteenth century, then compare your decisions to those actually made at the time!
3.	Children at Work Careers Advice: Victorian Style! An interactive, self-contained game designed to teach students about some of the worst jobs available to young people in Victorian 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 - a great way of spicing up a unit on the Industrial Revolution!
4.	Social Conditions - Interactive Database The Coalbrookdale Census of 1851 An innovative activity which develops skills of data handling with a simple but powerful interface. Complete with a comprehensive project pack that will keep students engaged for several hours' worth of lessons.