History of the United States! Semester-Long World War One Course!
In this 15-week course, students will learn about the First World War from events leading up to the war to the Treaty of Versailles and the formation of the League of Nations
Michael DiMinno, M.A.T.
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What's included
15 live meetings
15 in-class hoursMastery Evaluation
1 hour per week. includedCertificate of Completion
I'd be happy to issue a certificate of completion if requested.Class Experience
US Grade 5 - 8
Beginner Level
Learn all about the First World War from someone who has been teaching it to this age group for 2 decades! There will be fifteen immersive sessions that will cover the lead-up to the conflict to the end of the war, The Treaty of Versailles, and the long-term effects of the war. I teach by using slides, original photographs, video clips, discussions, and more. There will be question/answer periods and both group and individual opportunities to offer answers and opinions about the subject. I encourage participation from the learners, because this will make the course truly fulfilling for all concerned. Some prior knowledge of the First World War helpful, but not a must. I've taught this subject for many years and most students I teach have little to no background knowledge. As the teacher, I will be dressed in a World War I uniform for most sessions.
Learning Goals
Students will analyze and explain the geopolitical, economic, and social factors that contributed to the outbreak of World War I. This includes exploring topics such as imperialism, nationalism, militarism, and the system of alliances in Europe.Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of major events, battles, and campaigns during World War I. This includes the Battle of the Somme, Verdun, Jutland, and Gallipoli.
Syllabus
Curriculum
Follows Teacher-Created Curriculum15 Lessons
over 15 WeeksLesson 1:
Causes of World War One
Industrialization
Imperialism
Colonization
Expansionism
Nationalism
Militarism
Alliances
The spark that set it off in the Balkans - the assassination of Franz Ferdinand 60 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
The Role of Propaganda in World War One
How did they get people to fight?
The aim of propaganda
Definitions
Patriotism
Fear
Rewards 60 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
Weapons and Technology of World War One
Machine guns
Poison gas
Barbed wire
Aircraft
Tanks
Flamethrowers
Submarines 60 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
Trench Warfare
What was it like?
The structure of WWI trenches
Myths surrounding trench warfare 60 mins online live lesson
Other Details
Parental Guidance
I have been teaching military history to elementary students since 2001 and parents have appreciated the approach I use given the age of the students. I try to keep our study away from the more age inappropriate topics, such as The Holocaust, harsh treatment of POW's, etc. It is not that these topics aren't important, it's just that the age range for these lessons (8-14) is a bit on the younger side, so I feel that they are better left to teachers of older grades. When I do get questions about the more disturbing aspects of the war, I might answer along the lines of, "these soldiers went into this country and did not treat the people there well," instead of giving specifics. Having said this, please be aware that these classes are about warfare and military history. One aspect of this is to talk about weapons from the corresponding era, and to discuss advancements in military technology. I don't handle any firearms personally, but we do discuss weapons and technology and I show pictures and videos when appropriate.
If your learner is sensitive to this kind of subject, and may get frightened or upset upon seeing a picture of a rifle, cannon, tank or bullet, then this may not be the class for them. This is a class about military history, and there is no way to avoid this, so please take this into account before signing up.
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Sources
There are many sources that I use for this course. Primary documents such as the Zimmerman Note, period newspaper articles and original war diaries will all be referenced in this course. There are also many books and websites that I use as well, such as YouTube, where I carefully vet age-appropriate videos for the learners. Some examples of books that I will use include:
The First World War by John Keegan
The Guns of August by Barbara Tuchman
Storm of Steel by Ernst Junger
Poilu by Louis Barthas
All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque
Joined April, 2020
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755reviews
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Teacher expertise and credentials
2 Degrees
Master's Degree in Education from Manhattanville College
Bachelor's Degree from State University of New York College at Fredonia
I have been a teacher since 2001 and for most of that time I have been teaching social studies at the elementary or middle school level. Coupled with that, my collection of military uniforms and my living history experience add greatly to my lessons.
Reviews
Live Group Course
$25
weekly or $375 for 15 classes1x per week, 15 weeks
60 min
Live video meetings
Ages: 11-15
5-12 learners per class
Financial Assistance
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