This lesson takes as its focus the fascinating story of Civil War-era spy Elizabeth Alkin. Elizabeth supported the Parliamentarian cause by ‘spying’ on Royalist sympathisers. She then reported them back to the Parliamentarian authorities. It is a great opportunity to add some diversity to your early modern period lessons. You[…]
This lesson follows on from the previous lesson. It picks up events around the time of the Restoration of the Monarchy in 1660. Causation is at the heart of the lesson. Students are tasked with working out whether the Restoration of the Monarchy can be attributed to anger with the[…]
This lesson is centred on some interpretations work. It gives the students an opportunity to develop their ability to critique the viewpoint of an established historian. Students are presented with the views of historian Steven Shapin. Shapin argues – quite controversially – that there was ‘no such thing as[…]
This enquiry takes as its inspiration the growing field of ‘emotion history’. Proponents of which study everyday objects, as a way of finding out more about the people of the past. In the lesson, students work in groups to dissect four early modern objects: a snuff-box a stone monument a[…]
Download this free substantive knowledge test for this unit on ‘revolutionary’ England. It fits perfectly into the diverse year 8 curriculum – just sign up as basic member. It tests your students’ core knowledge from this 7 lesson enquiry. The second page shows you the teacher answers. Use it alongside[…]
This written diverse assessment gives your year 8 classes the chance to consider how the changes in this period affected ordinary people. This fits with good assessment practice at KS3. First, students are reminded of the work of Eamon Duffy who wrote about how the villagers of Morebath experienced the[…]
Written by Elena Stevens, this knowledge-rich wider world unit focuses on the history of Africa between circa 1000-1900. 7 of the enquiries take The Kingdom of Benin as a case study. They explore its history through a combination of primary evidence, a keen focus on interesting historical interpretations and other[…]
This enquiry shows students how historical interpretations can be examined, critiqued and challenged. Taking the interpretation of writer Amie Jane Leavitt – who suggests that Benin’s ‘golden age’ was initiated by Oba Ewuare in the 15th century – students are encouraged to consider the use of criteria in reaching judgements.[…]
This enquiry focuses on challenging the typical view of the Obas of Benin: they were only able to be successful by ruling through fear and superstition. Students are encouraged to tackle this view by analysing a number of important clues. Next, a close examination of accounts written at the time[…]
This lesson adopts the classic enquiry approach. You drip-feeding clues and encourage students to refine their hypotheses as they go along. The initial question is set up at the beginning of the lesson: why was it that, after centuries of essentially refusing to be part of the international slave trade,[…]
This enquiry uses a ‘cultural history’ approach to help students gain a deeper understanding of slaves’ experiences in the 19th century. Mahommah Gardo Baquaqua was captured from the Kingdom of Benin and transported to America to work as a slave. Although in some ways his experiences were echoed by thousands[…]
The first ‘Opium War’ unlocks some dark secrets about our past, making for great causation and interpretations work. This lesson provides a good assessment opportunity with clear mark-scheme.
Does John D Clare get it right about the Indian Mutiny? This one-off lesson is intended to give students a snapshot of empire, focusing on India while it was still under the control of the East India Company. It could lead to an investigation as to whether life for Indians[…]
This one-off lesson is intended to give students a snapshot of empire, focusing on India while it was still under the control of the East India Company. It could lead to an investigation as to whether life for Indians really improved under the Raj. Or it could be used to[…]
This enquiry offers an engaging way of developing students’ understanding of the horrors of the Benin Massacre of 1897. Students are tasked with putting Sir Harry Rawson on trial for his role in the massacre, gathering evidence to prosecute Rawson. Sir Harry Rawson was the leader of the British forces[…]
This enquiry takes the form of a debate. Students are equipped with the evidence needed to participate in a debate about the Benin Bronzes, arguing either for the returning of the Bronzes to Nigeria or for their continued display at the British Museum. Students are guided through the process of[…]
Zulu! Just how accurate is it? Why did an elderly lady storm out of its premier? Your class will debunk an interpretation before considering the tension between reel history and real history.
This enquiry deals with a particularly controversial misconception. Namely, that Africa before colonisation was simply a story of ‘barbarous tribes in irrelevant corners of the globe’ (as Hugh Trevor-Roper put it), and as such was unworthy of study. It’s important that students encounter such interpretations and are equipped with the[…]
This enquiry is a great way of encouraging students to practise judging historical significance. Students are introduced to the interpretation of Professor Olupona, who argues that the presence of Islam in Africa ‘completely changed’ Africa and African lifestyles. Then, students apply Ian Dawson’s criteria for historical significance to work out[…]
This enquiry is a really great way to end a unit on the study of Africa. If you studied the other enquiries in this unit, your students will bring to the lesson a wealth of knowledge about the diversity of African history, people and cultures. They will realise straight away how[…]
We simply love teaching the French Revolution! Take the stress out of planning by downloading our course. It has been refined over years and years of teaching it.
Kick off your course with this action packed overview lesson. Can your students date the image? They will learn about the legacy and events of the revolution too.
Here we use a strong personally story from the past as a vehicle for finding out about crime prevention by 1700. What does the story of Mary Jones reveal to us about crime prevention at the end of the Early Modern Period? Start by asking your class whether they can[…]
This is the first part in a series of lessons on the causes of the Revolution. It is kinaesthetic and gets across the unfairness of the Estate System.
This enquiry uses the modern financial crisis to look at the situation in France in the 1780s. Are the kids as smart as a King’s Minister? Difficult decisions need to be taken!
Acting as art historians, students assess whether Louis was accurately painted. They present their expert view for a TV documentary and see his role in causing the revolution!
Here your class will classify, link and prioritise information. They answer an assessed question.The bespoke mark-scheme will help pinpoint where each student is.
Higher order causation work: can you students decide when Louis’s number was up? They’ll have some unexpected assistance – Dr Who steps in to help them.
Story telling of a brutal murder leads your students to unlock the messages of David’s masterpiece. You’ll find this lesson is simply brilliant.
Can you students look at the message of this famous painting, then use the available evidence to work out how truthful it was?
