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Mystery Task | Story | Categorisation | Letter Writing | Comprehension | Quiz | Exit Card

This immersive and flexible lesson pack brings the terrifying world of the Black Death to life through mystery, storytelling, and historical empathy. Designed for KS3 (Years 7-8), it supports students in exploring Medieval beliefs, treatments, and emotional responses to the 1348 plague - perfect for engaging whole-class teaching or adaptable independent learning.

What’s Included?

Mystery Starter Task

• “Why did Agnesia get the lot in the summer of 1348?”
• Use as a classic card sort, discussion activity, or categorisation task (no cutting required).
• Sparks curiosity, inference and collaborative thinking.

Agnesia’s Story (Reading Comprehension)

• A powerful narrative introducing real people facing the plague.
• Illustrated and supported with comprehension questions and vocabulary.

Categorisation Table Task

• Students classify parchment-style statements into 5 clear categories:
• Causes | Treatments | Prevention | Reaction | Background
• Great for retrieval, organisation, or use before extended writing.

Letter from Agnesia (Main Task)

• Students write in-role as Agnesia to a cousin in Florence.
• Uses discovered “parchment scraps” for historical content and empathy.
• Includes scaffolds, writing frames and extension challenge.

Comprehension Quiz

• 10-question recall and understanding quiz based on Medieval medicine and the Black Death.
• Ideal for AfL or revision.

Exit Card Activity

• Students reflect on what they’ve learned about beliefs, treatments and how it affected people like Agnesia.

Also Includes:

• High-quality oil-style visuals
• Editable format for customisation
• Suitable for specialist and non-specialist teachers
• Easily adaptable for homework, catch-up or cover

Keywords:
Black Death, KS3 History, Medieval Medicine, Bubonic Plague, Agnesia Mystery, Roleplay Task, Card Sort, Categorisation, History Worksheets, History of Medicine, Letter Writing Task, Retrieval Practice, Comprehension