Exploring World Cultures (Ages 7 - 11) - The Ancient Age

In this class, we will explore different places and cultures around the world. There are no prerequisites for this class.

This class has been designed differently than its ongoing sister class, but since I am changing the format to include multiple students, this 16 class section will be used for the ancient world. A second enrollment/section will be used for the medieval age, a third for the age of discovery, and a final re-enrollment for the modern age. I spend the time needed so the students can fully appreciate and grasp the concepts.  I am fully committed to teaching this class based on the individual student’s needs, and also because some cultures take longer to learn about – they have a more thoroughly documented history than some of the others.  

We talk a lot in my classes. I believe that education is a conversation, and children learn and retain more information if they are part of the discussion! It is a lecture-based class, but I use slides, games, video clips, and sound files (for the music and language). It is highly interactive, but I also understand that some students are more introverted than others and I take that into consideration.

We will look at: 

* North America: regions (US + Canada + Caribbean + Latin America), sovereign countries (23) and (17, not including Greenland) dependent territories

* South America: 12 countries + 3 territories (France/UK)

* Europe: 50 countries, 5 independent states, 8 territories

* Africa: 54 recognized sovereign states, 2 independent (unrecognized), 12 non-sovereign territories

* Asia: West (N East, Middle East) 25; Central (5); South (8); North (Ural/Siberia/Far East Russia); East (8); SE (11)

* Oceania (4 regions: Australia, Melanesia, Micronesia, Polynesia)



Within each region, we will discuss the following:
* Geography
	Climate, landmarks, cultural sites, flora/fauna, agriculture
* Humanity
	People and animals, food, traditions, housing, travel, languages, music, art, clothing
* History
	Civilizations, advancements, technology, governments, economies, legacies, and 
        modern standing



Important to note: Any mention of religion within these cultures will be completely from an unbiased, historical, and academic viewpoint. Every topic - whether natural disasters, conflicts, or any potentially sensitive event  - will be handled delicately and appropriately (or omitted) because of the age of the students. No insensitive or inaccurate images or videos of any culture will be included. The purpose of this course is to introduce young learners to the diversity in our world, not to perpetrate stereotypes or the inaccurate historical biases.