*Invokes curiosity and wonder to engage all pupils through arresting source material, thought-provoking enquiry and clear, vibrant pates. *Supports development of thinking skills through progressive steps in each enquiry, which gradually build understanding and support individuals' thinking. *Supports development of thinking skills thorough progressive steps in each enquiry, which gradually build understanding and support individuals' thinking. *Explicit and meaningful support for assessment for learning; including systematic attention to learning objectives and sharing these with pupils. *Encourages and challenges pupils of al abilities through differentiated steps based on key questions of historical significance. 'Extra access' and 'extra challenge' support ideas are provided in the Teacher's Books. *Effectively aids the teaching of literacy across the curriculum through a rich range of texts.

2000-09-23 Good fun and great education

A superb, innovative textbook. The authors have shown a refreshing understanding of students' interests and their varying abilities. Any year 7 pupil will enjoy the full-colour photos and humourous cartoon-like illustrations, as well as the gory details - William the Conqueror sending Harold's head to Harold's mother, for example. This pleasure certainly aids the students' concentration and commitment. But Medieval Minds, whilst clearly written post-Horrible Histories, is far more than entertainment. Each chapter is centred around a historical enquiry, which requires certain intermediate 'steps' to be followed before producing a piece of extended writing to answer it. Students are helped to see how they must explain and 'back up' their ideas, and how they need to link these ideas together. Use of additional, precise questions helps to challenge the most able. History lessons will (hopefully) never be the same again once you have mined the delights of this book.