The Learning Zone

This section allows you to access original documents cared for by the Record Office. For each unit, images and descriptions of the documents are provided which can be used alone as examples to illustrate various topics. In addition, there are suggested activities and notes to assist teachers to apply them to National Curriculum themes.

We will gradually add to The Learning Zone. Units currently available are:

	The Story of 'Jimmy Durham' - Jimmy's story provides resources for Key Stage 3 History, QCA Unit 14, The British Empire, and Key Stage 3 Citizenship, QCA Unit 4, Britain - a diverse society? It can also be used for Key Skills, Literacy, PSHE, Geography and ICT. Children from other Key Stages can use the appropriate activities, or teachers can use the documents in their own way. We welcome feedback and ideas.
	Surviving Belsen - Eye witness accounts provide excellent resources for Key Stage 3 History, QCA Unit 19 How and why did the Holocaust happen? The documents can also be used for KS3 Citizenship, QCA Unit 3 Human rights and QCA Unit 16 Celebrating human rights – citizenship activities for the whole school and for KS4 Citizenship QCA Unit 1 Human rights. Other curriculum links include Literacy and creative writing, Key Skills and ICT, particularly KS3 ICT QCA Unit 3 Processing text and images and QCA Unit 8 Public information systems.

How and why did Crook develop in the period between 1851 and 1901? - This local history project presents maps, census returns, trade directories and photographs to support Key Stage 3 History: Britain 1750 – 1900, how expansion and industry affected the local area and the wider community. It also supports Key Stage 4: GCSE British Social and Economic History Syllabus B, D1 changes in health and population from the mid 18th to the late 19th centuries. The sources can also be used as an exemplar for Key Stages 1 and 2 local history work. Please note this unit is hosted by Durham University Library. To return to this page please use your browser 'Back' button.

Life and Death as a Soldier in World War One - Letters, diaries, maps and photographs all contribute to our understanding of what life and death was like for a soldier in World War One. These sources support KS3 History; QCA Unit 18 Hot War, Cold War. Why did the major conflicts of the 20th century affect so many people?; and Unit 22 The role of the individual for good or ill. Students studying war poetry in English will also find valuable background detail here.

What was Durham Market Place like in the past? - This local history project uses maps, trade directories, census returns, parish records and photographs to support Key Stage 2 History, QCA Unit 18: What was it like to live here in the past? and Unit 12: How did life change in our locality in Victorian times? The sources can also be used by children from other Key Stages, or teachers can use the documents to develop and build on their own ideas. For example, the documents can be used to complement Key Stage 3 History: Britain 1750 – 1900, how expansion and industry affected the local area and the wider community. Please note this unit is hosted by Durham University Library. To return to this page please use your browser 'Back' button.

To find additional documents relevant to your topic, Search the DRO Database.