History

Year 8

8A

I have contacted the Townsend-Warner History Prize people in case we are unable to get to school on Monday 11th January and can reassure everyone that contingency plans have been made. Just keep on expanding your historical general knowledge!

Please continue with the work I set you over the Christmas holiday period. Read as much as you can, watch history programmes. ‘History of Now: the Story of the Noughties.’ BBC 2. looks interesting. Also; ‘By the People: the Election of Barrack Obama.’ BBC 2 Sat 9/1/2010. ‘The Real War Horse.’ History channel. Sun 10/1/2010. (Michael Morpurgo discusses the role played by horses during WWI)

8A1, 8JYB, 8IBD

Medieval Realms

REVISION! REVISION! REVISION!
An essay writing plan is now available to download (link). This is a very useful resource. I suggest you use it to practice answering past essay questions. (I have provided you with a booklet of past CE questions collated into specific topic headings for easy reference – these past CE questions are also on the School website in: PARENTS / Downloads / Curriculum / History Resources.)
Even if you have not taken you history file/textbook home with you over the Christmas break, you should have the independent study reference book I gave you at home.

Year 7

Medieval Realms

(1). Complete exercises 2.3 and 2.6 (page 30/31) from your history textbook.

IF YOU DO NOT HAVE YOUR HISTORY TEXTBOOK AT HOME THEN PLEASE TRY TO COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING ASSIGNMENT WHICH IS ALSO IMPORTANT COMMON ENTRANCE RELATED WORK.

Research a specific castle from the internet or any guide books you might have at home from a visit made by members of your family. For example, Warwick, Tower of London, Rochester – the list is endless (there are some fabulous concentric castles in Wales).
Your castle MUST have been around in some form during the medieval period.
You should provide a brief history of your castle.

Answer these key questions:
1. Who had the original castle built at the site?
2. Why was the site chosen?
3. What defences does the castle have?
4. What was life inside your castle like?
5. What changes, if any, have been made over the centuries? Were there any changes to its design during the medieval period? If so, why do you think these changes were made?
6. Is it now a ruin, and if so, when did this happen and why? What do you think was the most important reason for the decline of your castle and why?
7. What is the castle used for today?
8. Add any other facts about the castle that you think are particularly interesting.
9. Pictures would be a lovely added bonus!

Here are some examples of useful Castle websites:
www.castles-of-britain.com
www.schoolshistory.org.uk/motteandbaileycastles.htm
www.castlewales.com/motte.html
www.historylearningsite.co.uk/motte_and_bailey_castles.htm
You can usually find a specific website for your chosen castle.

Year 6

Roman invasion of Britain

(1). Answer the question about the names of towns that might have Roman origins on the worksheet that is available to download (link).

(2). Write a short paragraph about each of the following members of the Roman Army:
1. A centurion
2. A legionary
3. An auxiliary

You could use any books you have at home or research information from the internet.
The BBC website has some very good information on it. There is also a good Usbourne site which is linked to their reference book about the Romans.

Year 5

World War II

(1). ‘Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.’ Winston Churchill.
Try to answer the questions about this famous quote on the worksheet that is available to download (link).

(2). Imagine that you are a school child during the Blitz in 1940. Write a story about what happens to you and your family from the time the air raid siren sounds until you hear the All Clear. What items did you make sure you took with you to the air raid shelter? (Remember you only have a few minutes to decide before you have to leave your house.)
How did you feel while you were waiting in the air raid shelter? What did your family do to keep their spirits up?
What did you see when you came out of the air raid shelter?
Note: BBC Children of World War II website is a very useful resource.