This lesson explores the groups who didn’t benefit from the boom in the 1920s. Students begin by using a video to assess how typical this would be, leading to an image comparison of rich v poor. Students then use an information sheet to rank the different groups in society, explaining who was ‘worst affected’ during the boom years. Students then apply their learning to an 8-mark explain question, self or peer-assessing their answers. A judgement line plenary allows students to assess how far everyone shared in the boom years.

This lesson explores the causes for and events of the Red Scare in the 1920s. A source starter explores the issues of the melting pot and fears of ideological differences, leading to video notes exploring why communism was so feared at this time. Students then explore why communism was feared, linking in the Palmer raids. Using a video and a card sort, students assess how the case of Sacco and Vanzetti showed attitudes towards immigrants at this time. Finally, students link their learning to a source showing fears of anarchists and communism at this time.

This lesson explores how the stock market worked in the 1920s, leading to an assessment of the benefits and dangers of gambling on the stock market. Students begin by using a video to explore some positives and negatives of the market. Using the handout, students create their own diagram of how the stock market works, making their own definitions for the key terms. Students then play a game exploring how the market worked by ‘buying’ their own shares. Students then summarise their learning in written answers, culminating in a discussion plenary of how ordinary people and companies benefited from the stock market boom.

This lesson explores the role played by Henry Ford and mass-production in the economic boom. The lesson begins with a recap of existing knowledge of mass-production, moving on to gathering information about the role played by Ford and his business. Students then use an information handout to explore in depth the role played by Ford and the impact on America’s economy/society. Using a further video students assess the advantages and disadvantages of mass production. Finally, students create an acrostic poem recapping Henry Ford and the economic boom.

The first lesson in the scheme American 1920-73: Opportunity and Inequality, focusing on what American society was like by 1920. The lesson begins with an exploration of existing knowledge of America, moving to exploring the American political system. Students then watch a video on how immigrants came to America through Ellis Island, leading to an assessment of which groups held the most ‘value’ in society at the time. Students then create a spider diagram on why people emigrated to America at this time, linking it to the melting pot idea. Finally, students summarise America society by 1920 with 5 key words or phrases.

This lesson focuses on the anti-war movement and how demands for peace escalated. The lesson starts with a picture starter, leading to a discussion over why opposition to the war increased after 1965. Students then complete a chart examining the different factors causing the growth in the anti-war movement, reaching a judgement. Two songs and their lyrics are then analysed to explore the role that songs played in influencing youth culture. Students then explore which anti-war slogans would have been the most effective at protests, leading a plenary vote on the most significant reason that impacted on the anti-war movement.

This double lesson explores what the My Lai Massacre was and how it influenced public views on the war. The lesson starts with analysis of a quote by Nixon, asking students to explore what the lesson is focused on. Students then use the video to note down why the massacre happened and what happened. A discussion then focuses on why students think the massacre occurred and who is to blame. Students then use a handout to explore how Charlie Company was and was not at fault, leading to an exploration of reactions to the massacre. Students then create a mind map of how the My Lai massacre contributed to US failure in Vietnam. Students then explore who they think was to blame for the massacre. The lesson culminates in planning and answering the following question: Write an account of how the Tet Offensive was a turning point in the Vietnam War (8 marks) - students can then write it up in timed conditions.

This lesson explores the events of the Tet Offensive and why it could be seen as a turning point in the Vietnam War. The lesson begins with a recap on why the US had been unsuccessful in the Vietnam War so far, leading to an introduction to Tet using two videos and students making notes on the events/impact. Students then use the hand out to examine Tet, highlighting Communist/US gains, leading to a completion of a table comparing how it was a Communist/US victory. Students then explore why it could be seen a turning point in the war, leading to a corners plenary.

This lesson explores how both Eisenhower and Kennedy increased US intervention in Vietnam and their similarities/differences. The lesson begins with exploration of existing knowledge of Eisenhower, using a video to make notes, with the same task utilised for Kennedy. Students then use the handout to create a table showing similarities and differences of their policies, leading to a detailed focus on the Strategic Hamlet Programme. Students then list any successes and failures so far for the US in Vietnam, finally assessing how far they agree that the Strategic Hamlet Programme was ultimately a failure for the US.

This lesson explores how the US responded to VC tactics. The lesson starts with a rapid recap to review prior content, leading to a whiteboard discussion of why the US faced issues based on their young, inexperienced soldiers. Students then use the hand out to complete the chart exploring the strengths and weaknesses of various US tactics. The lesson then culminates in students exploring how the US/VC caused the various issues for the American troops.

This lesson focuses on a review of the key content and assessing the impact of the war and the ultimate reasons for US military failure. The lesson begins with a ‘giant post it’ task reviewing knowledge of Vietnam. Students then recap the successes and failures of the four key Presidents linked to Vietnam (Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson and Nixon), asking students to consider the relative success of each. A categorisation task then considers the US failures and VC successes, leading to exploration of the impact using the Oxford AQA textbook and previous knowledge to explore the impact of the Vietnam War. Students then utilise this learning in a ‘perfect paragraph’ task for the 8-mark write an account question. Finally, students use a model answer focusing on why the US lost the war to explore why this would achieve a Level 4 in the 16-mark essay response.

This lesson explores the US withdrawal and eventual fall of Saigon in 1975. The lesson begins with a discussion task on what all sides would want to achieve from the peace settlement, leading to a video and handout summarising the key points agreed. Students then assess who gained the most from the agreement, justifying their choice. Students then use a video to examine how Saigon fell, leading to the creation of a spider diagram and justification of the most significant factors. Finally, students explore interpretations of the fall of Saigon, reaching a judgement on the one they most agree with.

This lesson explores the role of the Domino Theory in causing the US intervention in the Vietnam War. The lesson begins with a retrieval starter, moving on to a video which introduces the fears of the Domino Theory. Students then use an information sheet to synthesise the Domino Theory using only 20 words and imagery. Knowledge is then applied to a 4-mark source question mirroring the exam paper, which can be written up in class and peer/self-assessed. Finally, a judgement plenary explores what Eisenhower was the most worried about in relation to the Domino Theory.

Revision materials allowing for a knowledge review of the Korean War

The final lesson in the sequence on the Korean War assesses how much each side gained/lost and applies knowledge to a 16-mark essay question. The lesson begins with a knowledge recap of the causes, cost and impact of the Korean War. Students then assess how much each nation gained and lost, exploring how far each achieved their aims. Students then apply their knowledge to a 16-mark essay question: ‘The main result of the war in Korea, 1950–1953, was that Communist forces had been removed from South Korea.’ How far do you agree with this statement? - completing the essay plan. A model answer is also included. Finally, students review their learning with a ‘trio’ discussion plenary.

This lesson explores why the Korean War was significant in the short and long term. A bingo plenary allows a recap of the key knowledge of the topic, moving into a video asking students to consider how the government would view the war in contrast to the US public. Students then use the handout to complete the Venn diagram, assessing the impact of the war in terms of human cost, the cold war and weapons build up. A post-it note plenary allows an assessment of what students consider the most signifcant impact of the war.

This lesson explores how the war ended in a stalemate and what factors led to peace. The lesson begins with a recap of the causes, events and ending of the war using a video. Students then explore the factors that led to the war becoming a stalemate. Students then watch a brief video outlining the peace treaty, whilst considering WHY a peace treaty occured in 1953. Students then explore the different factors that led to the treaty, alongside the four main agreements made. As a plenary, students begin to consider which nation gained the most from the Korean War.