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KS3 History
Please click on the links below to find out more about each unit.
| Year Long Term Objective: To have young historians who can narrate the past and acknowledge the conflict of interpretations. | ||||||
| Year | Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 | Spring 1 | Spring 2 | Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
| 7 | Historical Sills | The Black Death | Ming Dynasty | Crime and Punishment | Slavery | The Holocaust |
| 8 | Vikings | Battle of Hastings | Spanish Armada | WW1 | WW2 | The Cold War |
| 9 | Guy Fawkes | Jack the Ripper | Suffragettes | British Empire | Russian Revolution | Nazi Germany |
Nazi Germany
Overview
This unit allows students to learn the steps Adolf Hitler took to achieve total power in 1933. Students will be able to evaluate the impact instability can have on a nation.
Example Key Words
Treaty of Versailles
The peace document that was signed and ended WW1
Reichstag
The German parliament building
Reparations
Compensation paid for war damages
Putsch
A putsch is a sudden attempt to get rid of a government by force.
Resources
360 VR experience: Get an idea of what it was like sheltering in an underground station during the London Blitz. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FpQM6FEqWE
The Cold War
Overview
This unit concludes the year’s work on warfare. Students will learn about flashpoints of the Cold War to allow them to judge how far warfare has changed over time.
Example Key Words
Ideological
A collection of economic or political beliefs shared by a group of people
Capitalism
Where everything is privately owned
Communism
Where money is distributed evenly
Democracy
Where everybody has the freedom of speech and vote
Resources
Podcast: Witness History – Cuban Missile Crisis. BBC World Service – Witness History, Cuban Missile Crisis: The Showdown
The Holocaust
Overview
In this unit of study, students follow the narrative of the Holocaust through the eyes of Anne Frank.
Example Key Words
Holocaust
The mass murder led by the Nazis during WW2
Anti-Semitism
Hostility and discrimination against Jewish people
Concentration Camps
These were places where Jews were taken and imprisoned, either to be killed (by gassing) or to work in horrific conditions.
Gestapo
The Nazi’s secret police
Resources
Book: Diary of a Young Girl. Anne Frank.
Russian Revolution
Overview
This scheme of investigate the murder of Rasputin and the wider implications for the downfall of the old regime.
Example Key Words
Communism
Where money is distributed evenly
Tsar
Russian King
Hemophilia
A disease where your blood does not clot when the skin is broken.
Abdication
To step down from being king or queen
Resources
Podcast: BBC Witness History. The Russian Revolution of 1917. Witness History – The First Russian Revolution of 1917 – BBC Sounds
WW2
Overview
This unit investigates what life was like living on the Homefront in Britain during WW2, as well as the contributions of the Commonwealth to allow debate on how far World War 2 was a global conflict.
Example Key Words
Armistice
An agreement to stop fighting
Commonwealth
Countries which previously belonged to the British Empire
Allied Forces
Countries fighting against Nazi Germany, e.g. UK, France, USA, USSR
Blitzkrieg
A lightening war. An intense military campaign to bring about victory.
Resources
360 VR experience: Get an idea of what it was like sheltering in an underground station during the London Blitz. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FpQM6FEqWE
Slavery
Overview
This unit challenges students to design a statue to remember the transatlantic slave trade following the toppling of the Edward Colston statue in 2020.
Example Key Words
Philanthropist
A person who supports others with generous donations of money
Transatlantic
Crossing the Atlantic Ocean. E.g. UK to USA
Plantation
Crops usually growing coffee, sugar and tobacco
Abolitionist
A person who campaign to get rid of something
Resources
Book: Black and British. A Short Essential History. David Olusoga. Well written and very accessible.
British Empire
Overview
This unit of study will investigate how an innocent cup of tea can reveal stories of drunkenness, mass production, empire, slaver and state sponsored drug dealing on an industrial scale.
Example Key Words
Empire
A group of countries ruled or owned by one country
Trafficking
To illegally transport something or someone
Patented
A law which something being copied
Arrogant
To believe you are better than others
Resources
Video: Short excerpt from Jeremy Paxman’s series Empire – Why does the Empire Matter? BBC Two – Empire – Learning Zone, Why does the British Empire matter?
WW1
Overview
This unit allows students an opportunity to study a topic of History over time. Students will investigate the changes and continuities of both crimes and punishments over time, and explain the reasons why.
Example Key Words
Alliance
An agreement/union between two or more countries to support each other
Nationalism
When people living in a country want to be independent and are strong supporters of their countries rights.
Militarism
When countries compete to have the largest military
No-Man’s land
Unowned land that both sides are fighting to gain
Resources
Video: TV Biography of Field Marshall Haig by Major Gordon Cunningham (22 mins) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTA2Z2WqQrA.
Crime and Punishment
Overview
This unit allows students an opportunity to study a topic of History over time. Students will investigate the changes and continuities of both crimes and punishments over time, and explain the reasons why.
Example Key Words
Poaching
Illegally hunting animals
The Pillory
A wooden frame with holes for the head and hands
Capital Punishment
The Death penalty.
Bloody Code
Crimes in England in the 18th and early 19th centuries that were punished with death.
Resources
BBC Teach Video: The Bloody Code and the Waltham Black Act The Bloody Code | History – The Strange Case of the Law – YouTube (4 minutes)
Suffragettes
Overview
This unit explores the key events in the women's suffrage movement
Example Key Words
Suffragette
A violent group of women campaigning for the vote
Martyr
A person who is killed because of their religious or other beliefs
Militant
Activists
A person who campaigns to bring about political or social change.
Resources
Film: Suffragette
Spanish Armada
Overview
This unit investigates why the Spanish Armada failed, while comparing how battle tactics have changed over time.
Example Key Words
Protestant
A Christian
Catholic
A Christian who follows the Pope
Armada
Galleon
A ship with 3 masts, used by the Spanish
Resources
Video: BBC documentary by Dan Snow – excerpt on Spanish Armada. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlDA8cquOcU
Ming Dynasty
Overview
This unit introduces students to World History, we explore how great the medieval Ming Empire in China was. Students will have the opportunity to draw parallels and comparisons to their previous study of Medieval England here.
Example Key Words
Dynasty
A line of rulers from a country
Filial Piety
Devotion and service to parents
The Shi
The Nong
The Chinese farmers
Resources
Interactive short virtual tour: The Great Wall of China (Ming Dynasty) Virtual Tours (thechinaguide.com)
Jack the Ripper
Overview
This unit allows students an experience a hands on approach to investigating the Jack the Ripper murders using primary sources.
Example Key Words
Industrial
A place with lots of factories, and factory workers
Workhouse
A building for poor people to live or work in
Serial Killer
Social Reformer
Someone who tries to improve the way people live
Resources
Website: Have a look at some of the resources and activities to prepare you for the module – you can even vote for your favoured suspect! Jack the Ripper – History, Victims, Letters, Suspects. (jack-the-ripper.org)
Battle of Hastings
Overview
This unit teaches students about the iconic year of 1066.
Example Key Words
Claimant
Someone who could be on the throne
Witan
The King’s chief advisors
Fyrd
Oath
A serious promise, often made in the name of God.
Resources
Website: Have a look at some of the resources and activities to prepare you for the module – you can even vote for your favoured suspect! Jack the Ripper – History, Victims, Letters, Suspects. (jack-the-ripper.org)
Guy Fawkes
Overview
This unit takes students through the turbulent Stuart era studying the gunpowder plot, execution of the king and witchcraft.
Example Key Words
Divine Right of Kings
The idea that a King is not responsible for his actions, as he is chosen and directed by God.
Treason
To go against the King or Government
Puritan
Enlightenment
A time in History when people became more educated with science.
Resources
Interactive Video: introducing the National Archives in Kew, how to look at documents and introducing the story of Guy Fawkes. History Hook: Gunpowder Plot – YouTube. First in a series of online lessons. Gunpowder Plot – The National Archives
Vikings
Overview
This unit we explore Viking expansion, we will study the trade and commerce, expansionism, religious and cultural change to determine: “were the Vikings just bloodthirsty warriors, or were they actually more significant than this?”
Example Key Words
Berserkers
An angry and brave warrior
Danelaw
Viking laws and routines.
Volga Vikings
Norse
Scandinavia or its peoples or way of life (culture).
Resources
Virtual museum activities: Jorvik Viking Centre. Discover from Home | JORVIK Viking Centre. Have a look at the activities and listen to Thor’s duel with Hrungnir or have a go at the Viking themed puzzles.
Historical Sills
Overview
This unit introduces students to the historical skills required in History. These skills are taught through a series of local historical sites.
Example Key Words
Chronology
To put dates in order of when they happened
Primary Source
Historical information that was produced at the time of the event
Long Term
PEE
Point, Evidence, And Explain. This is how we should construct our responses in History
Resources
Interactive website of SeaCity Museum: Learn about the Titanic, download the activity pack or take the Titanic Quiz. Learning Deck at SeaCity Museum | SeaCity Museum
The Black Death
Overview
This unit allows students to understand everyday Medieval life, and the impact and transformation that the Black Death had on this period.
Example Key Words
Pneumonic
A serious lung disease caused by bacteria or a virus
Pestilence
A deadly disease or plague
Buboes
Flagellant
To whip yourself to gain God’s forgiveness
Resources
Video: Short video Timelines TV on the impact of the Black Death (20 mins). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhsPPBGtquo