Ancient China for Junior Archaeologists - A Course in World History

Students will recognize how artifacts (written, visual, and practical) help us understand past civilizations.
Students will develop their ability to analyze and discuss sources.
Students will have a firmer understanding of the course of ancient Chinese history and how Chinese culture changed and remained stable throughout its history.

I am a professional teacher, certified in the state of Florida.  My teacher's license covers Social Sciences for grades 6-12, and I have worked hard to earn my gifted endorsement on my license.  I have taught middle school social studies for four years (and interned in college before that), teaching ancient history and civics.  I have also led my school's GeoBee competition and MUN team.

I double-majored in college, studying both social science education and history.  I am so glad I chose that route.  I believe that having both a strong knowledge of pedagogy and a strong background in content has enabled me to succeed in designing classes that are both interesting and intellectually stimulating.

My goal is to create lifelong learners.  Everyone should strive for constant improvement and intellectual growth.  To that end, I myself pursued a Master's in History while working as a teacher, and I am proud to say I earned my Master's in the Spring of 2019.  My focus was primarily on modern Europe, but I studied the modern Middle East as well.  I feel that studying topics of interest leads to growth that benefits us throughout our lives.

Are there homework or extension opportunities?
There is no *required* homework.  Each week after class, students are provided with an extensive amount of written and video links to extend their knowledge.  Students are encouraged to learn more about the week's material with these sources.  I will provide homework for those looking to further extend learning.

I do not assign formal grades for the course (if you are interested in that, message me and we'll come up with a plan).  I will be assessing student understanding primarily through our artifact discussions and responses to questions during our meetings.

50 minutes per week in class, and maybe some time outside of class.

We will refer to a variety of primary sources from ancient China including: writings, statues, architecture, and other relevant material.  Sources will be appropriate for all ages.