A skeleton essay framework to help students round off the topic of study.
Year: 2009
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?”
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.
The Emancipation of the Serfs: Assessment
A structured writing framework designed to help students consolidate their knowledge and understanding thus far.
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?
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.
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.
The Emancipation of the Serfs: Events
The stages of the Emancipation of the Serfs are covered in this worksheet.
Why does the French Revolution Matter? – Teacher PowerPoint Starter
A presentation designed to generate student interest and establish the relevance of the subject.
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.
Tsar Alexander II: Conclusion
Students are required to produce an obituary – either positive or negative – in this structured task.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
