Course Description
This bundle option is designed for middle school students who want to take both courses, the literature-based history class, Modern World History thru Literature, that meets on Thursdays at 1:00–2:00 p.m. ET, and the English Through World History course that meets on Wednesdays at 1:00–2:00 p.m. ET.
View History Syllabus View English Syllabus
Modern World History
This course begins with the Age of Exploration and Scientific Revolution (1400s) and cover modern world history with much focus on the 20th century. It will pick up where Mrs. G’s Ancient and Medieval World History course ended. Students will be challenged to see common themes in history.
Students will:
- Study the following topics in history: scientific revolution, great voyages of discovery, and systems of trade; ideas of enlightenment and new views on government; the age of revolution; the Industrial Revolution; nationalism and colonial empires; World Wars; the rise and fall of communism; the space race; wars in the Middle East and terrorism; a polluted planet; the computer revolution; and current events.
- Learn new words in context related to history and geography.
- Compare/contrast historical events and nations.
- Identify countries’ border changes throughout modern times and other map work.
Course Structure
Students will have readings in the text and activities posted in Canvas each week to review the material, including a review “quiz” at the end of each week. During class, review games will reinforce the material studied and students will teach mini-lessons as well. Other live class activities include readers’ theater plays.
Course Assignments will include:
- Readings in the text including review questions; history reviews in Canvas.
- Various worksheet type activities posted in Canvas.
- Read historical fiction or biographies related to the topics being studied, sharing new facts learned with classmates.
- Research mini-topics, sharing facts with classmates.
- Two major projects, one each semester.
English Through World History
This class follows a two-year rotation, so students can take it twice (in consecutive years) as the writing assignments and grammar exercises will vary. The 2023-24 school year will be Year B (see the Year B syllabus and book list).
Course Structure
Students will have compositions, poems, literature projects, and grammar exercises assigned in Canvas with teaching on all topics covered in the live class first. As time allows, students can work in pairs to help revise/edit each other’s compositions.
Course Goals
Students will
- Improve formal writing with a focus on how to revise and edit.
- Demonstrate an understanding of English grammar including: parts of speech, sentence structure, punctuation, and common sentence errors.
- Identify the elements of fiction through novels read as well as common techniques of literature such as irony, symbolism, flashback, and figurative language.
- Read poetry related to people, places, and events studied and write poems.
Course Assignments
- Read at least 8 books (historical fiction or biography)
- Write six multi-paragraph essays (persuasive, narrative, literary, and three expository essays)
- Informative or persuasive speech
- Research paper (Year A) or Creative story (Year B)
- Poems
- Projects related to the elements of fiction
- Grammar exercises
Who should enroll?
This class is for 7th – 8th graders, others by permission from the instructor.
Technology Requirements
- High speed, broadband Internet
- Headset and microphone (for live sessions)
- Streaming video capabilities to watch recorded lectures
- Microsoft Word and Power Point are very helpful. If a different word processing program is used, students will need to save or export documents to a pdf.
Evaluation and Feedback
All exercises in Canvas will be graded and averaged for a final grade. Optional tests will be assigned. Projects will receive additional feedback so that improvements can be made along the way.
Communication
Parents are welcome to contact me with any questions before registering their student. Once I know a student has registered, the family will receive a welcome packet with additional information about the course. I will contact parents if there is a concern with students not keeping up with the work or frequently turning in late assignments.
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