Student-friendly Sourcework Rubric This rubric provides a student-friendly mark scheme and tips for structuring each of the answers for the IB Sourcework Paper. For example: [Sourcework Rubric]
Author: Russel Tarr
The life of Martin Luther – Design a film trailer!
The life of Martin Luther – Design a film trailer! It’s a great story – and in this activity, students use a timeline to produce a Hollywood Film Poster (complete with suggested merchandise, reviews and screenshots) advertising a new blockbuster about the life of the Reformation giant. Focusing on the cast list, the film title…
Model Essay: Assess the view that “After initial failures, Kennedy’s handling of foreign policy grew increasingly successful as time went on”
Model Essay: Assess the view that “After initial failures, Kennedy’s handling of foreign policy grew increasingly successful as time went on” A model essay written in timed conditions by RJ Tarr. Set the question to students too, then use this to compare alongside them in a feedback session.
“Advisor to the Kaiser!” – A new online simulation!
I have completely rewritten and relaunched the Origins of World War One online simulation (available on this page), which now has a detailed work pack, multimedia video clips, a leaderboard, a ‘save game’ feature so that students can return to it as a homework exercise if they don’t complete it in class, and much else besides….
The Rise of Hitler – Images
The Rise of Hitler – Images This double-sided sheet of selected images relating to the rise of Hitler can be used to develop the hexagons display piece still further, or as the basis for a visual essay writing exercise.
President Johnson – An Introduction to “LBJ”
LBJ: An Introduction In this engaging task, students are given an overview of LBJ and his famous ‘treatment’, along with video clip links and an extract from an acclaimed biography of the President. From this they are encouraged to identify five key aspects of the “Johnson Treatment” and substantiate each with an extract from the…
The Mystery of Pompeii: stand-alone lesson
The Mystery of Pompeii | information slips | online slideshow presentation “Before giving you this worksheet, your teacher will have shown you this image on the screen and asked you to formulate four questions. After class discussion, record these in the table below and note down possible answers (some of you may even KNOW some…
Historiography: Historians on the Rise of Hitler
Historiography: Historians on the Rise of Hitler A series of quotes and extracts designed to be cut out and added into the hexagons diagrams outlined on the main topic page.
ClassTools.net Arcade Games: “Kennedy’s Foreign Policy”
ClassTools.net Arcade Games: “Kennedy’s Foreign Policy” A whole range of interactive arcade games to accompany the detailed study unit available at ActiveHistory.
Factual test – Kennedy’s Foreign Policy
Factual test – Kennedy’s Foreign Policy In the ‘how certain are you?’ format, this test determines not just what students know, but also how confident they are in their knowledge.
Classroom debate – How successful was Kennedy’s foreign policy?
Classroom debate – How successful was Kennedy’s foreign policy? The class is divided into teams to prepare questions on different policies from either a prosecution or a defence perspective.
Escape the Room! – Mission Havana, 1959
Escape the Room! – Mission Havana, 1959 “You are American business people from the United Fruit Company, placed under house arrest by the new Castro regime due to your close ties to Batista. You have managed to ply the guard with rum and he has passed out. But you have only one hour to find…
Escape Room: “Mission: Galileo 1610”
1. Escape Room: “Mission: Galileo 1610” “It is 1610. the Renaissance (‘Rebirth’) of arts and sciences has transformed Europe. You are students of the great scientist galileo in Padua, Italy. You have all been put in jail by the church for insisting that the earth goes round the sun! You will all taken away to…
Printable Calendar of Historical Anniversaries 2017-2018
Printable Calendar of Historical Anniversaries 2017-2018! I’ve now finished work on my classroom calendar of notable anniversaries for the forthcoming school year, which you can download by following the link. I’ve also added a facility so you can search for your own alternative events too.
Recommended Films for the History Classroom
Recommended History VIDEO | (see also podcasts and books) I have updated this searchable directory of useful films for the history classroom with 50 new entries based on some of the most recent feature films released in the past couple of years.
Rise and rule of authoritarian states: IB History Paper 2 sample question generator
Rise and rule of authoritarian states: IB History Paper 2 sample question generator This tool is designed to help teachers and students prepare for the IB Paper 2 exam by generating possible questions to practice and discuss. It is based on the command terms and syllabus bullet points provided in the IB syllabus. Use this…
Spotify Jukebox – Songs for the History Classroom
Spotify Jukebox for the History Classroom I have updated this resources with several new playlists and lots of new songs. If you already have Spotify, open it up before trying to play tracks. If you don’t have Spotify you will be prompted to install it on your system. See also: Blogpost – 50+ Essential Songs for the…
Cold War – Random Essay Question Generator!
Cold War – Random Essay Question Generator! This tool is desiged to help teachers and students prepare for the IB Paper 2 exam by generating possible questions to practice and discuss. It is based on the command terms and syllabus bullet points provided in the IB syllabus. Use this tool to generate a random question…
Defining weasel terms: Guerrilla, interstate, civil wars; populist v. military dictators; and much more besides
Defining weasel terms: Guerrilla, interstate, civil wars; populist v. military dictators; and much more besides “If you are called upon to use case studies of such things as guerrilla warfare, civil wars, interstate wars, crises and conflicts, it is vitally important that you justify your chosen example(s) in the introduction of your essay. If you…
One sentence summaries: conclusions on the Presidents
These resources are a great way to tie together a study of History of Americas. They specifically cover the period 1945-1980 but the approaches used are easily adaptable for other time periods and regions. One sentence summaries: conclusions on the Presidents At the end of the debate outline above, each member of the class at…
Classroom debate: Which President achieved the most success outside of the Americas?
These resources are a great way to tie together a study of History of Americas. They specifically cover the period 1945-1980 but the approaches used are easily adaptable for other time periods and regions. Who was the best US President on the World Stage? Classroom debate: Which President achieved the most success outside of the…
Post-War American Presidents to 1980: Detailed summary sheet for revision
These resources are a great way to tie together a study of History of Americas. They specifically cover the period 1945-1980 but the approaches used are easily adaptable for other time periods and regions. Detailed summary sheet for revision This comprehensive printout provides a thorough breakdown of the domestic and Latin American policy achievements and…
Classroom debate: Which President achieved the most for the USA and for Latin America?
These resources are a great way to tie together a study of History of Americas. They specifically cover the period 1945-1980 but the approaches used are easily adaptable for other time periods and regions. Who was the best US President for the Americas? Classroom debate: Which President achieved the most for the USA and for…
Comprehensive Summary Sheet for Revision: The Civil Rights Movement to 1965
Comprehensive Summary Sheet for Revision: The Civil Rights Movement to 1965 A thorough and essential revision aid over several pages. Suggested tasks: People: Decide upon the most important individuals in the civil rights movement (highlighted in yellow). Divide these between the class to research further, then conduct a classroom balloon debate to determine the overall…
Revision Summary Sheet: anti-apartheid resistance groups
Revision Summary Sheet: anti-apartheid resistance groups An illustrated summary sheet of the aims and objectives of various resistance groups – an ideal revision aid. The IB Paper 1 (sourcework) option “Rights and Protest” requires students to cover two case studies: Case study 1: Civil rights movement in the United States (1954-1965) Case study 2: Apartheid…
Using drinking straws to study competition, co-operation and the arms race
Overview This short, simple but effective exercise (requiring nothing more than some drinking straws) helps students understand about the limits of co-operation, the dangers of unbridled rivalry and the importance of co-operation. In this sense it can be used in a variety of contexts but I personally use it to provoke a discussion about the…
Design “Tubular Timeline Towers” for chronological understanding
Overview As a ‘choose your own homework‘ option, suggest to students that they consolidate their chronological understanding by constructing a “Tubular Timeline Tower”. Case Study In the February holidays, I give an open homework task to students who will be taking public exams in May. I ask them to choose any topic that they are…
Develop persuasive vocabulary with a ‘biased words knockout challenge’
Overview One important literacy skill is for students to use (and, increasingly, to spot) writing which is designed to persuade rather than merely inform. To do this, get students to produce a list of biased adjectives and then set up quick-fire competition: each member of the class has to take it in turns to contribute…
“History in your pocket”: Coins as sources
Overview This great idea was developed from an idea shared by @histHartford. This photo comes from Mr. Atkinson (@AtkoHistory) and was shared to the #historyteacher hashtag on Twitter by @EllenWicks: Taking it further Students should be encouraged to bring in coins and banknotes from their foreign travels at the start of the Autumn term. This…
Student bookmark: Key vocabulary for essay writing
Overview I have designed the following bookmark in order to help students use a richer range of vocabulary to express their ideas more clearly in essays: Sets of these bookmarks can be printed off, laminated, cut out, and then shared with students to keep in their planners or textbooks. Download Student bookmark: vocabulary for essay writing
Use “EyeSay!” to give visual feedback on student essays
“EyeSay!” is a new tool I have coded at www.classtools.net to help students and teachers get a useful visualisation of essay style and structure. Students simply copy and paste their essay from a word processor, and then the web application colour-codes its central stylistic features. For students, it helps them develop their writing – They…
Medieval Realms: Revision quiz
A new interactive quiz to test chronological understanding.
Nazi Germany: “Play your dates right!” quiz
A new interactive quiz to test chronological understanding.
World War One: Interactive revision quiz
A new interactive quiz to test chronological understanding.
The Treaty of Sevres [1]: The Middle East
The Treaty of Sevres [1]: The Middle East | teacher answer sheet Students learn about the conflicting promises made by the British in the Middle East during World War One, and then tackle this: “It is now 1919. You are Prime Minister David Lloyd George, about to head off for the Paris Peace Conference. Complete this official…
Modern World History 1870-1939: “Play Your Dates Right!” interactive quiz
A new interactive quiz to develop chronological understanding.
SIMULATION – The Treaties of Sevres and Lausanne: How successfully did Lloyd George handle Turkey?
The Treaties of Sevres and Lausanne [2]: The Near East – How successfully did Lloyd George handle Turkey after World War One? [interactive] “In this simulation you will take on the role of an advisor to the British Prime Minister, David Lloyd George. You will be asked how you think he should handle the Ottoman Empire…
How important was the role of women in the Civil Rights movement? – source work
A new source work assignment, complete with model answers, for the following questions. 1a. According to Source A, why was the success of the Little Rock Campaign still not assured? [3 marks] 1b. What is the message conveyed by Source B? [2 marks] 2. With reference to its origin, purpose and content, analyse the value…
IGCSE History Revision 2017
Completely updated and relaunched, this section of the website provides comprehensive revision materials for Cambridge IGCSE Modern World History.
Rights and Protest Sourcework Sample: The Rivonia Trial
The following materials are designed to provide teachers and students with practice sourework exercises for the “Rights and Protest” topic in the IB History examination. The Rivonia Trial: Did Mandela’s decision to abandon nonviolence do more harm than good? Complete sourcework exercise in the style of IB, with model answers provided.
Model Essay: “Analyse the successes and failures of Nixon’s domestic policies”
Model Essay: “Analyse the successes and failures of Nixon’s domestic policies” A timed essay that I wrote in exam conditions to share with students for revision and discussion. Part of the Nixon’s Administration scheme of work.
Nixon’s Domestic Policy: Student research task
“Higher level students will write a timed essay on the key question outlined above. You will self-study this topic in your own time. When it comes to revision time we will compare and contrast Nixon and Johnson’s achievements. Your task will be to use a variety of sources to decide for yourself what the main…
IB Sourcework: Rights and Protest – sample source work papers and model answers
IB Sourcework: Rights and Protest – sample source work papers and model answers These materials are designed to provide teachers and students with practice sourework exercises for the “Rights and Protest” topic in the IB History examination. More will follow in due course.
Model Essay: “Assess the successes and failures of Nixon’s foreign policy”
Model Essay: “Assess the successes and failures of Nixon’s foreign policy” [teacher password required] Students should close this unit by tackling one of the essay questions outlined above in timed conditions. The essay provided here was written by me in timed conditions whilst my own students tacked a similar question. Part of the new scheme of…
Nixon’s foreign policy: the second administration
Nixon’s second administration (1972-1974) “Nixon’s second administration was mired in the Watergate Scandal, but no less controversial is is handling of foreign affairs in this period. In this part of the investigation you will reach your own judgement on whether Vietnam, Chile, Israel and the Middle East, or South Africa deserves to be regarded as…
Nixon’s foreign policy: The 1972 Presidential Election
The 1972 Presidential Election | Teacher notes “Imagine it’s 1972 election year, with inauguration day due to take place in January 1973. You are deciding how to vote, and Gallup (the public opinion pollsters) have asked for your approval rating of Nixon in the realm of foreign affairs. Using your existing knowledge, discuss with a partner what…
Sourcework Exercise: To what extent was Martin Luther King responsible for the success of the Montgomery Bus Boycott?
Paper 1 Sourcework Exercise: To what extent was Martin Luther King responsible for the success of the Montgomery Bus Boycott? A one-hour sourcework paper in the style of the IBO. 1. a) According to Source A, why did Rosa Parks refuse to give up her bus seat? [3 marks] 1. b) What message is conveyed…
Nixon’s foreign policy: the first administration (1969-72)
Nixon’s first administration (1969-1972) | Teacher notes Students complete a gap-fill exercise providing them with an essential overview of Nixon’s foreign policy. They then conduct extra research and reading to answer such questions as: What were the essential features of the Nixon Doctrine? Use quotes from Nixon himself as appropriate. / Complete the following table to provide an…
Nixon’s Foreign Policy: New study unit
A study of Nixon’s foreign policy makes a great deal of sense if students have already studied the Vietnam War and / or the 1973 Chilean Coup (each of which provides a major area of overlap with Nixon). In this compact study unit, students revisit these topics and broaden out to consider not just Nixon’s policies with the USSR…
Was life good or bad in Victorian Britain? – A study through paintings
Was life good or bad in Victorian Britain? – A study through paintings This new stand-alone study unit is delivered over 7-8 hours. Inspired by the excellent Jeremy Paxman series on “The Victorians”, it is designed to develop skills of visual literacy as well as essay writing. Students draw deductions from a range of Victorian…
Anarchism: Bakunin’s Catechism of a Revolutionary
Anarchism: Bakunin’s Catechism of a Revolutionary This text should be copied into a shared Google Doc. It will then be divided between the members of the class (e.g. the first student is responsible for points 1-3, the second for points 4-6 and so on). Each student should delete all but one of the points, keeping…
Summary Sheet: Hegel, Marx and Lenin – compared and contrasted
Summary Sheet: Hegel, Marx and Lenin – compared and contrasted A detailed knowledge organiser that serves as a useful consolidation and revision aid. Part of the new Political Ideologies scheme of work.
Factual Test on the issues covered so far (20 questions)
Factual Test on the issues covered so far (20 questions) | Teacher answers This test makes use of the “How certain are you?” format. For each question, play for 1, 2 or 3 points to reflect your confidence. If you’re correct, you win those points. If not, you lose them down to a minimum of zero points. Part…
To what extent was Franco’s victory in the Spanish Civil War due to the involvement of foreign powers?
To what extent was Franco’s victory in the Spanish Civil War due to the involvement of foreign powers? A model essay by RJ Tarr.
Teacher-led online lecture [2]: A brief history of political ideology from the Enlightenment to the modern day!
Teacher-led online lecture [2]: A brief history of political ideology from the Enlightenment to the modern day! Complete with handouts and teacher notes, this is the second part of the teacher lecture. together an online lecture which runs through the development of political ideology. This on starts with the Enlightenment and covers such themes as…
Model Essay: Analyse the successes and failures of President Kennedy’s foreign policies towards Latin America between 1961 and 1963.
Analyse the successes and failures of President Kennedy’s foreign policies towards Latin America between 1961 and 1963. A model essay by RJ Tarr.
Enlightenment Philosophy: Philosophers, Revolutionaries and the Declaration of the Rights of Man
Enlightenment Philosophy: Philosophers, Revolutionaries and the Declaration of the Rights of Man In this exercise we will clarify what the spirit of the French Revolution actually was. It will then be possible, if and when you study the French Revolution in more depth, to decide: How far the early revolutionaries delivered on their promises, whether…
Teacher-led online lecture [1]: A brief history of political ideology from the Middle Ages to the Enlightenment!
Teacher-led online lecture [1]: A brief history of political ideology from the Middle Ages to the Enlightenment! Complete with handouts and teacher notes, I have put together an online lecture which runs through the development of political ideology. This first presentation brings students up to the Enlightenment and covers such themes as the Great Chain…
Left-wing and Right Wing: Which are you?
Left-wing and Right Wing: Which are you? [online simulation] Students complete the computer questionnaire, which will provide them with some initial suggestions about whether they are Left- or Right-Wing. This can be completed in class, or set as a homework activity. Students are then asked to complete a Triangle Nine Template by completing the following steps: “Step 1:…
Model Essay: Compare and Contrast the Rise of Pinochet and Franco
Model Essay: Compare and Contrast the Rise of Pinochet and Franco Students first have a brainstorm about what are the most frequent causes for the rise of single party state rulers. They then analyse the key methods and conditions which led to the rise of particular individual dictators, then compare and contrast them. In this…
What is Politics? Why are so many people not interested in it and why is this worrying?
Teacher Presentation: What is Politics? Why are so many people not interested in it and why is this worrying? This presentation is given to the entire group and is designed to get them thinking about why politics is so important. It outlines how the study unit will focus on helping students determine whether they are…
Communism and Fascism: What’s the difference?
Communism and Fascism: What’s the difference? Building on directly from the “Left and Right Wing” simulation earlier, students complete a questionnaire about key policy areas to help them identify the essential features of dictatorship and democracy, communism and fascism. They then use what they have learned to outline the differences between (a) Fascism and Communism;…
Design your ‘ideal state’
Design your ‘ideal state’ In this lesson, students take the ideas and principles they are now familiar with and use these to design an ‘ideal state’ by considering such things as the ideal age for voting, the benefits and disadvantages of having a monarchy, and so on. Plenty of room here for group work and…
The Potsdam Conference: When and why did the US policy move from one of co-operation to confrontation?
The Potsdam Conference: When and why did the US policy move from one of co-operation to confrontation? Students consider the extent to which the Potsdam conference was characterised more by conflict that by co-operation. Part of the comprehensive unit on Cold War Origins to 1949.
LBJ and the “Great Society”
A new teaching unit on LBJ and the Great Society. After the 1964 election, the Democrats held two-thirds majorities in both houses of Congress. This gave Johnson the mandate to realize his vision of a “Great Society”. Emboldened by his election by more votes than any president in history, Johnson prepared to inundate the 89th…
Hexagons Activity: Impact of the Industrial Revolution
Hexagons Activity: Impact of the Industrial Revolution This activity is approached through a ‘Hexagons’ approach which is outlined in detail here. Students cut up the hexagons and organise them in logical groups, with adjacent sides of hexagons indicating connections that are then explained around the diagram. The hexagons were created using the ClassTools.net Hexagons Generator.
Sourcework Exercise: The Sharpeville Massacre – Teacher model answers
Sourcework Exercise: The Sharpeville Massacre | Teacher answers 1) a. According to Source A, why was the campaign in Sharpeville so badly coordinated? [3 marks] 1) b. What is the message conveyed by Source B? [2 marks] 2) With reference to its origin, purpose and content, analyse the value and limitations of Source C for…
50 Essential Songs for the History Classroom
I am a big fan of music in the history classroom and I have created a number of Spotify Playlists for this purpose. Often this is merely to help create a calm and purposeful working atmosphere, when a bit of Chopin or Debussy sets the tone perfectly. Occasionally it’s even possible to have calming instrumental music directly…
Sourcework Exercise: The Sharpeville Massacre
Sourcework Exercise: The Sharpeville Massacre 1) a. According to Source A, why was the campaign in Sharpeville so badly coordinated? [3 marks] 1) b. What is the message conveyed by Source B? [2 marks] 2) With reference to its origin, purpose and content, analyse the value and limitations of Source C for a historian studying…
Model answers for sourcework exercise on rise of Apartheid
IB-style source work exercise: Why was apartheid introduced into South Africa in 1948? | Model Answers by RJ Tarr A one-hour source work exercise in the style of the IBDP History Paper 1, complete with model answers to share with students afterwards.
Slave Trade Simulation: Updated and improved
To tie in more closely with “The Apprentice” roleplay which forms the main part of this study unit, the popular “Slave Trade Simulation” has been updated with a new activity worksheet. This worksheet is the default way of working through the simulation. It provides a detailed introduction to the topic, explains how it will feed…
Model Essay – Compare and contrast the role of ideology in causing two 20th-century wars, each chosen from a different region
Compare and contrast the role of ideology in causing two 20th-century wars, each chosen from a different region “Although at face value very different conflicts, the Spanish Civil War and the Vietnam War were strikingly similar in a number of important ways: not least the central role played by ideology in precipitating the outbreak of…
Model Essay – What were the most frequent causes of 20th-century wars?
What were the most frequent causes of 20th-century wars? (model essay) “The 20th Century was defined by two World Wars which brought havoc upon civilization unprecedented in human history, and in the continued instability of the 21st century a study of their causes – and how to avoid them – is an essential method of working…
Vietnam veteran John Kerry’s statement at the Senate hearings of 1971
Vietnam veteran John Kerry’s statement at the Senate hearings of 1971 The class will be divided into pairs, representing 18-year-old US citizens in 1971. Imagine that you and your partner are good friends who have just been drafted into the US army. You are both well educated and have strong opinions about the war: one…
Why, and with what degree of justification, did Nixon refuse to immediately withdraw from Vietnam?
Why, and with what degree of justification, did Nixon refuse to immediately withdraw from Vietnam? A primary source analysis activity. Students use the ‘Silent Majority’ speech to answer the following questions: 1. What is the current situation in Vietnam, and why did America get involved in the first place? 2. Why is Nixon refusing to…
Compare and contrast the policy of Johnson and Nixon with regard to Vietnam
Compare and contrast the policy of Johnson and Nixon with regard to Vietnam Students are provided with a detailed timeline of events covering the Nixon administration and conduct further research of their own. They then consider carefully their completed research to provide an essay plan to the past exam question “Compare and contrast the Vietnam…
Could LBJ have handled the Vietnam War more effectively?
Could LBJ have handled the Vietnam War more effectively? In this decision-making exericse, students imagine they are advisors to President Johnson. As the crisis in Vietnam deepens, their job is to advise him on the best course of action to preserve his administration (How should LBJ respond to accusations that he is being insufficiently honest…
Using Knowledge Cubes for hands on discussions
Overview When students conduct research on key individuals, get them to write up their findings on a cardboard cube, with each of the six faces covering a different theme. After the class has exchanged its findings in the form of a balloon debate or similar, collect the cubes in and, as an extension activity, invite pairs of students to…
Design a logo reflecting the aims and methods of individuals or organisations
Overview After studying individuals, parties or organisations, challenge students to design a logo which summarises their essential aims, methods, successes and failures. This is a task I regularly use as part of group work exercises based on The Apprentice, but lends itself equally well to the study of a wide range of other examples. Examples After a…
Civil Rights Campaign 1964, Freedom Summer
Campaign 1964: Freedom Summer | Teacher notes “The 1964 Freedom Summer was a 10-week campaign in Mississippi designed to increase the amount of black people registered to vote…Listen to (or read) Fanie Lou Hamer’s “I Question America” speech and make notes on the sorts of injustices she and her people have suffered already and which she uses…
The Civil Rights Act of 1964
Legislation 1964: The Civil Rights Act The Civil Rights Act of 1964 is significant because it made the protection of civil rights the responsibility of the federal government, and removed the rights of individual states to make their own exceptions to these…Watch the video clip and make detailed notes on the main provisions of the…
Sourcework Assignment with model answers, The Civil Rights Act of 1964
Sourcework Assignment with model answers: The Civil Rights Act of 1964 [Teacher password required] A complete sourcework paper in the style of the new IB Syllabus, complete with model answers by the author of this website. Part of the complete scheme of work on the civil rights movement 1954-1965 at ActiveHistory
Selma Marches 1965, Online Simulation
Campaign 1965: Selma – The Simulation [interactive] “In this simulation you will learn about key figures involved in the struggle as events unfold step-by-step. For each character you will be invited to step inside their shoes and consider how you should react to the situation you face if your objective is to attract favourable media attention…
The Voting Rights Act of 1965
Legislation 1965: The Voting Rights Act “The Voting Rights Act has recently been undermined by the case of Shelby County v. Holder (2013). Conduct some research into this case (including the article from The Guardian entitled ‘Selma leaders lament voting rights losses at congressional award ceremony’) to answer the question “To what extent has the…
Undercover in Ancient Rome – new worksheets for the simulation
I have added some new activities to the “Undercover in Ancient Rome” simulation. Mapping the key places and people In this task, you will use the interactive adventure to complete a schematic map which quickly allows you to identify the main sites and Emperors in Ancient Rome according to the simulation. Once this is finished,…
Add a ‘how certain are you?’ element to spice up factual tests
Overview To spice up factual tests, require students not merely to provide an answer, but to choose how many points to play for to reflect their confidence. If they’re correct, they win that amount of points, if not they lose the same amount. Example Here is the start of a factual test on the Civil Rights Movement. Students…
Simulate a conference
Overview When studying how successfully different countries achieved their objectives in an international conference, conduct a simple re-enactment where students score points for achieving their national objectives. Then study the terms of the real agreement reached to determine who gained the most and how creatively they solved the problems they faced. The example I give here…
New Book from ActiveHistory: “A History Teaching Toolbox”
A History Teaching Toolbox is the perfect handbook for busy classroom teachers eager to try out some new strategies with their students. More than 60 tried and tested activities and approaches are organised into helpful categories and explained with step-by-step instructions and topic-specific examples to illustrate how they can be immediately employed. A History Teaching…
Protest placards: design, anticipate, react
Overview When studying an issue, event or personality which is open to different interpretations, get students to design a placard summarising their personal viewpoint. Alternatively, ask students to suggest how particular historians or observers would summarise their viewpoint in just a few words, or even anticipate what the actual slogans were in photographs of genuine protest marches. Example 1…
Using limericks as a revision tool
Overview As part of a ‘choose your own homework‘ menu, give students the option to produce a set of limericks to help them memorise some key events, dates or individuals. Case Study Here’s an example produced by one of my students when the homework was simply ‘choose a topic from our GCSE studies that you are…
Counterfactuals in History
Overview To help students decide how important a factor was in causing a particular event, ask them to consider whether events would have turned out differently without it. To have validity, this ‘counterfactual’ approach should not descend into mere speculation. Instead, students should be prepared and trained to substantiate their assertions with evidence to help…
Who is your Historical Hero?
I have updated the “Who is your historical hero?” study unit to make use of the ‘Knowledge Cubes’ approach which I outline in more detail at Tarr’s Toolbox.
Knowledge Cubes – originally posted on Tarr’s Toolbox
Overview When students conduct research on key individuals, get them to write up their findings on a cardboard cube, with each of the six faces covering a different theme. After the class has exchanged its findings in the form of a balloon debate or similar, collect the cubes in and, as an extension activity, invite pairs of students to…
Compare and Contrasting the Rise of Dictators in Different Regions
Which 20th Century Dictator are YOU? A simulation to compare and contrast the methods and conditions through which dictators rose to power. Complete with self-study workpack enabling students to turn their findings into a rigorous essay. There is also a class leaderboard where teachers can monitor student performance in the factual test questions. You might also try…
JFK and the Diem Coup: To what extent was Kennedy responsible?
JFK and the Diem Coup: To what extent was Kennedy responsible? In this activity students consider a range of primary source documents to determine how far Kennedy was responsible for coup against President Diem.
Roleplay Exercise – Kennedy and the Berlin Crisis of 1961
Roleplay Exercise – Kennedy and the Berlin Crisis of 1961 | Multimedia teacher-led presentation | Briefing Sheets In this exercise students will take the role of an advisor to President Kennedy. By discussing different courses of action and then comparing them to what Kennedy did, they will form a balanced judgement on his handling of…
Kennedy and Latin America: The Alliance for Progress
Kennedy and Latin America: The Alliance for Progress This worksheet and activity covers Kennedy’s “Alliance for Progress”, which was in essence a Marshall Plan for Latin America. As its name suggests, it proposed a partnership between the USA and Latin American countries keen to engage in political and socio-economic reforms. Signed in Uruguay’s Punta Del…
The 1960 Election Campaign: The TV Debates and the Inaugural Address
The 1960 Election Campaign: The TV Debates and the Inaugural Address The TV Debates: In election year 1960, Senator John F. Kennedy and Vice President Richard Nixon took part in the first televised presidential debate, hosted by legendary newsman Walter Cronkite. This was the beginning of modern media-driven politics: JFK came across as suave, confident…
JFK: Introduction and Overview
JFK: Introduction and Overview Students are provided with a teacher-led lecture based around the following image and make notes in this worksheet. Part of the new study unit on The Foreign Policy of President Kennedy
SOLO Hexagons: The Rise of Hitler
SOLO Hexagons: The Rise of Hitler 40+ factors are provided to students to organise into meaningful and connected categories as part of the essay-planning process. Full details of the hexagons approach can be found at Tarr’s Toolbox.
