How They Survived: History Edition
What's included
1 live meeting
50 mins in-class hours per weekClass Experience
It was a dark and stormy night when the plane was struck by lightning. It was ripped apart, piece by piece, with passengers plummeting through the night sky into the jungle below. A jungle filled with deadly snakes and spiders and far from civilization. This is the beginning of the story of Julianne Koepke and her fight to survive. This class is a story of life, death, and the will to survive. These stories include natural disaster, political intrigue, assassination attempts, cannibalism, accidents, concentration camps and everything in between. Survival stories captivate students’ imaginations tapping into primal instincts and core emotions. These stories will focus on the resilience and resourcefulness exhibited by protagonists in these survival tales. These stories often challenge us to contemplate our own capabilities, pushing the boundaries of our comfort zones as we contemplate what we would do in similar life-threatening situations. Survival stories offer a unique blend of tension, introspection, and inspiration that makes learning history fun and interesting and more importantly, memorable. This class may not be a good fit for all students. You may message and ask for a refund and to skip any class you deem not to be a good fit for your student. They Survived Oct. 2-8 Julianne Koepke October 9-15 George Bush and the Cannibals Oct 16-22 The Tongan 6 23-29 Dieter Dengler Oct 30-Nov 5 RIcky MeGee Nov 6-12 Simone Veil 13-19 USS Indianapolis 20-26 Aron Rolstan No Classes November 23 Nov. 27-Dec. 3 Louis Zamperini Dec 3-10 Nando Parrado and Roberto Canessa Dec 11-17 Jessica Buchanan and Poul Hagen Thisted Dec 18-22 Ernest Shackleton's Endurance Expedition No classes Dec. 23-Jan 1 Jan 2-7 Jose Salvador Alvarenga: Jan 8-14 Lone Survivor - Marcus Luttrell Jan 15-21 Princess Anne and Mark Phillips Jan 22-28 The Nazi Invasion Jan 29-Feb 4 The Molasses Flood Feb 5-11 The Hindenburg Feb 12-18 Chernobyl Feb 19-26 Triangle of Death chemical disaster in Seveso, Italy (1976) Feb 27-March 3 Mount St. Helens eruption (1980) March 4- March 10 Oklahoma City bombing (1995) March 11 - March 17 Great Fire of London (1666) March 18- March 24 Irish Potato Famine (1845-1852) March 25- March 31 London smog (1952) April 1-April 7 Dust Bowl (1930s) April 8-April14 Sinking of MV Doña Paz April 15-April 21 Texas City disaster (1947) April 22- April 28 2017 Las Vegas shooting April 29- May 5 Alcatraz May 6 - May 12 The My Lai Massacre May 13- May 19 Rwandan Genocide May 20 - May 26 Robert Smalls May 27-June 2 Chesley Sullenberger June 3-June 9 Irena Sendler June 10-June 16 Nelson Mandela Summer Break September 2-September 8 Annie Sullivan
Learning Goals
Students will learn about history through the stories of those who have survived it.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
This class may not be a good fit for all students.
We will be talking about war, murder, death, destruction, natural disasters, cannibalism and more. There may be dead bodies shown in class as we use a lot of videos.
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Sources
American Historical Association: The Professional Association for All Historians
Center for History and New Media: Guide to History Departments Around the World
Electronic Texts Collection
EuroDocs: Primary Historical Documents from Western Europe
H-Net - The History Network
Hanover Historical Texts Project
Library of Congress
New York Public Library
Women and Gender Resources on the WWW
Ancient and Medieval History
Online Medieval sources Bibliography
ABZU: Guide to Resources for the Study of the Ancient Near East
Aquinas' Summa Theologica
Byzantine & Medieval Studies Sites
Interpreting Ancient Manuscripts Web
The Labyrinth: A growing site for general medieval studies
Lingua Latina
Middle English Collection: University of Virginia Library electronic text center
The Perseus Digital Library
Teacher expertise and credentials
2 teachers have a Graduate degree
Master's Degree in Education from University of Phoenix
Master's Degree in Education from Moreland University
Welcome to the Academy of Wonder
"Where curiosity and engagement guide every student’s learning experience."
At the Academy of Wonder, we believe that every student is unique and capable of greatness. Our classes are designed for diverse learners, focusing on critical thinking and creativity rather than rote memorization or test prep. We offer courses you won’t find in most traditional schools—engaging, inclusive, and shaped by students’ interests.
Our Classes Feature:
*Content designed for all learners, including those with diverse needs
*Subjects not typically offered elsewhere
*Lessons guided by student interests
*Highly engaging and interactive experiences
*Inclusive environments that value every voice
*Emphasis on critical thinking skills over test-taking
Areas of Focus:
Unique History: History Mysteries, The Red Class, Dark History
Gaming: Minecraft, FNAF
Life Skills: Internet and Gaming Safety, Understanding and Preventing Addiction
Creative Arts: Balloon Twisting
Meet Our Teachers
Nicole P., M.Ed.
I turn history into a captivating story—sometimes spooky, always fascinating—so students become immersed without even realizing they’re learning. With degrees in Sociology, Psychology, Philosophy, Criminal Justice, and a Master’s in Education, I’ve spent decades working in diverse settings, encouraging students to think critically, plan logically, and find their unique voices.
Les P, M.A.
I help students connect with each other, set meaningful goals, and develop strong life skills. Drawing from my background in counseling, I bring humor, adventure, and a knack for making learning practical and fun. Whether it’s balloon twisting or guiding students through decision-making, I focus on building confidence, connection, collaboration, and logical thinking.
Kristi M, M.A. Ed.
I’m a mom, tutor, and intuitive teacher who adapts to each student’s learning style. With a graduate background in child and adolescent development and over a decade of experience, I love helping kids learn through creativity and exploration. I bring the joy of discovery into every lesson, making learning playful and personal.
Katrina “Minty” P
An entertainer from a young age, I blend my passion for gaming, engineering, and creative arts into hands-on classes. A Twitch streamer, college student in engineering and math, and trained youth chaplain, I love teaching Minecraft, Balloons, Anime, art, and basic engineering. My goal is to inspire students to explore their interests and think flexibly.
Talon P
A gaming enthusiast and recent tech grad, I’ve been behind the scenes developing content for our FNAF classes for years. Skilled in programming and internet tech, I’m excited to share gaming strategies, lore, and create new digital experiences.
Join the Academy of Wonder
Step into a world where learning is an adventure. Our teachers are passionate, our classes are engaging, and our community celebrates curiosity and individuality. Let’s learn, grow, and explore—together.
Reviews
Live Group Class
$15
weekly1x per week
50 min
Completed by 4 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 9-13
3-14 learners per class