SOTW Modern World History and Geography
This is a modern world history (1920-1994) and geography class. The texts that will be used are: The Story of the World: Volume 4, The Modern Age; by Susan Wise Bauer and Merriman-Webster’s Notebook Atlas. It is intended for 6th through 9th grade students.
What is communism? What was the Dust Bowl? How did Gandhi lead a revolution without weapons? Why were the Germans so unhappy with the Peace of Versailles and how did that lead to WWII? Who were the Nazis? How could a man like Hitler become a world leader? What was the Holocaust? Who was Mao Zedong and how did he change China? Why did the U.S. fight wars in Korea and Vietnam? Why is the Civil Rights movement so important to the way we live now?
Classroom work will include hands-on globe searching and cross referencing with the world atlas. All historical events (and occasionally current events as well) will be pointed out on the world map. Students will learn map reading skills and understand why geography is important to all informed citizens.
There will be homework EVERY WEEK. This will include reading a chapter prior to class and being prepared to participate in lively discussions. Students will be taught how to use outlining as a method to understand and to study history. After students understand the process of outlining, this will be part of the homework assignment. (This will be done instead of weekly tests.) Detailed map work will be done as homework and reviewed in class. Everyone will maintain a timeline in their notebook and this will also be reviewed in class. Occasionally, there will be games, crafts, experiments and special guests to enhance students’ understanding of the lesson.
Students will have two projects. The fall project will be a tri-fold board project that will be presented to the class and guests and will be shown at Palaestra’s Open House in December. The spring project will be in PowerPoint format and also presented to the class and guests. There will be a Final Review at the end of the school year, covering all the material that has been studied.
This is a yearlong class, you will be automatically re-enrolled in the winter semester. The class fee includes the cost of the atlas and binder. If you do not already own The Story of the World: Volume 4, The Modern Age; by Susan Wise Bauer you will need to purchase it BEFORE class begins.
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