King John : a depth study in medieval monarchy for Key Stage 3: Pupil's book

"This is History!" is the Schools History Project's radical new Key Stage 3 scheme of work for National Curriculum history.

Through a combination of depth and development studies it offers: a varied, relevant and challenging diet for the whole Key Stage 3 history programme of study - a history-based approach to teaching citizenship - practical classroom-trialled techniques for developing pupils' literacy - a thinking skills approach to deepening and assessing historical understanding.

This is a study of King John, designed for Key Stage 3 history pupils.

It seeks to combine literacy, citizenship and an engaging Schools History Project approach to historical enquiry.

Unit One explores King John's reputation as 'a bad king'.

As pupils investigate how this interpretation was formed and perpetuated, they should also develop the skill of writing a balanced and reasoned essay using the analogy of a Grand Prix race track.

Unit Two is a shorter citizenship/political literacy-driven exploration of the dynamics of medieval monarchy.

King John himself guides the students towards an understanding of how medieval politics was different from today, and most importantly, why that matters.A Teacher's Resource Book is also available.