**US History: The World Wars and Interwar Period: (1920-1945)
What's included
12 pre-recorded lessons
12 weeks
of teacher support1 year access
to the contentAssignments
4+ hours per week. 3-6 per weekProjects
7 or more throughout the classAssessment
1 after class completionLetter Grade
7 or more throughout the classClass Experience
US Grade 8 - 12
Beginner - Advanced Level
In this 12-week class, students will learn the US history from 1775-1783. This is Part 5 of a series on US history. The series do not have to be completed in order; however, completing the series in order can be very beneficial to the students and the comprehension retention of what occurred and when. Students will write a summary paragraph after class about what they learned in class. This course is designed to learn some key facts about the birth of a new nation in US history. After class, each student will write a minimum of a five-sentence paragraph about the day's topic. This will help the students to practice their summary writing. Students will read one non-fiction and one fiction book throughout the course. Students will have a list of books to choose from. At the end of the class, students will write a summary report on their chosen books. Here is the list of books to choose from: Non-Fiction Books: "DK Eyewitness Books: World War II" by Simon Adams This visually rich book provides an excellent overview of World War II, covering major events, key figures, and the impact of the war on different countries. It's filled with photographs, maps, and illustrations that make the information accessible to middle school readers. "The Boy on the Wooden Box: How the Impossible Became Possible... on Schindler's List" by Leon Leyson This memoir, written by the youngest survivor on Schindler's List, offers a personal account of the Holocaust that's appropriate for younger readers. It provides insight into life in Poland before and during World War II. "Bomb: The Race to Build—and Steal—the World's Most Dangerous Weapon" by Steve Sheinkin This award-winning book tells the story of the creation of the atomic bomb during World War II. It's written in a narrative style that engages middle school readers while covering complex scientific and historical concepts. "Hitler Youth: Growing Up in Hitler's Shadow" by Susan Campbell Bartoletti This book explores the experiences of young people in Nazi Germany, providing insight into how the Nazi regime influenced and manipulated youth. It's a thought-provoking read that encourages critical thinking about propaganda and conformity. "What Was the Roaring Twenties?" by Michele Mortlock Part of the popular "What Was?" series, this book offers an accessible introduction to the 1920s, covering topics like prohibition, flappers, and the economic boom that preceded the Great Depression. Fiction Books: "Number the Stars" by Lois Lowry Set in Denmark during World War II, this Newbery Medal-winning novel follows a young girl helping her Jewish friend escape Nazi occupation. It's a compelling introduction to the Holocaust for middle grade readers. "The War That Saved My Life" by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley This historical fiction novel, set during World War II in England, tells the story of a young disabled girl who is evacuated to the countryside during the Blitz. It offers a unique perspective on the home front experience during the war. "Code Talker: A Novel About the Navajo Marines of World War Two" by Joseph Bruchac This novel provides insight into the crucial role played by Navajo code talkers during World War II, offering both a compelling story and an often-overlooked aspect of the war. "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" by John Boyne While this book deals with heavy themes, it's often used in middle schools to introduce students to the Holocaust. It tells the story of a friendship between a German boy and a Jewish boy in a concentration camp. "Echo" by Pam Muñoz Ryan This unique novel weaves together multiple stories set before and during World War II, connected by a magical harmonica. It covers diverse experiences including the rise of the Nazis in Germany and the internment of Japanese Americans. These books offer a range of perspectives and experiences from the World Wars and Interwar Period, providing middle school students with engaging ways to learn about this critical era in history. They cover various aspects including the home front, the Holocaust, technological advancements, and the global nature of the conflicts, helping students develop a comprehensive understanding of the period. In addition, the students will be creating their own timeline throughout the course. After each class, the student will create that week's topic to be added to their final FlipBook project. For example, the week we learn about “US Constitution” the students will create this on their final project through whatever art supplies or other types of supplies they have on hand. During our 12th week, all students will present their final projects under the assignment tab or, at the very least, within one week of the conclusion of the class and will receive a certificate of completion after the final project has been turned in. We will use different methods of interaction between the student and the teachers. These methods will include the classroom, Canva, Google Docs, MagicSchoolAI, and other relatable resources that would be beneficial each week. For example, students will be able to upload their weekly writing with Google Docs and the teacher can help with revisions, ideas, grammar, spelling, comments, etc.
Learning Goals
Historical Knowledge and Chronology:
*Identify and explain key events, figures, and developments in U.S. history from 1920
to 1945.
*Demonstrate understanding of the chronological sequence of major historical events
Cause and Effect Analysis:
*Analyze the causes and consequences of significant historical events
*Evaluate the long-term impacts of key policies
Syllabus
Curriculum
Follows Teacher-Created CurriculumStandards
Aligned with National Curriculum Standards for Social Studies (NCSS)12 Lessons
over 12 WeeksLesson 1:
The Roaring Twenties: Culture and Society
Swing into the Jazz Age, where flappers dance the Charleston, movies start talking, and America parties like there's no tomorrow!
Lesson 2:
Prohibition and Organized Crime
Sneak into speakeasies and dodge gangsters in a wild era when outlawing booze turned ordinary citizens into criminals and crooks into celebrities!
Lesson 3:
The Great Migration and the Harlem Renaissance
Groove to the rhythm of the Harlem Renaissance as African Americans move north, sparking a cultural explosion that changed art, music, and literature forever!
Lesson 4:
The Stock Market Crash and the onset of the Great Depression
Watch in awe as the roaring '20s screech to a halt when the stock market crashes, plunging America into the biggest economic rollercoaster ride in history!
Other Details
Parental Guidance
This class can and will involve topics of land thefts, assaults, genocide, killings, and wars. This class is not meant to be scary, but to be a true account of American history. There will be stories about people who have died. There will be stories about people who have been killed. There will be stories about the people doing the killing. There are stories where people are assaulted, sometimes sexually.
This class may not be for every student.
Supply List
A notebook or binder and paper, along with minimal art supplies. Students will read one non-fiction and one fiction book throughout the course. These books may be obtained for free at the local library or, for example, Amazon from $2.00 to $16.00. Students will have a list of books to choose from. At the end of the class, students will write a summary report on their chosen books. Here is the list of books to choose from: Non-Fiction Books: "DK Eyewitness Books: World War II" by Simon Adams This visually rich book provides an excellent overview of World War II, covering major events, key figures, and the impact of the war on different countries. It's filled with photographs, maps, and illustrations that make the information accessible to middle school readers. "The Boy on the Wooden Box: How the Impossible Became Possible... on Schindler's List" by Leon Leyson This memoir, written by the youngest survivor on Schindler's List, offers a personal account of the Holocaust that's appropriate for younger readers. It provides insight into life in Poland before and during World War II. "Bomb: The Race to Build—and Steal—the World's Most Dangerous Weapon" by Steve Sheinkin This award-winning book tells the story of the creation of the atomic bomb during World War II. It's written in a narrative style that engages middle school readers while covering complex scientific and historical concepts. "Hitler Youth: Growing Up in Hitler's Shadow" by Susan Campbell Bartoletti This book explores the experiences of young people in Nazi Germany, providing insight into how the Nazi regime influenced and manipulated youth. It's a thought-provoking read that encourages critical thinking about propaganda and conformity. "What Was the Roaring Twenties?" by Michele Mortlock Part of the popular "What Was?" series, this book offers an accessible introduction to the 1920s, covering topics like prohibition, flappers, and the economic boom that preceded the Great Depression. Fiction Books: "Number the Stars" by Lois Lowry Set in Denmark during World War II, this Newbery Medal-winning novel follows a young girl helping her Jewish friend escape Nazi occupation. It's a compelling introduction to the Holocaust for middle grade readers. "The War That Saved My Life" by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley This historical fiction novel, set during World War II in England, tells the story of a young disabled girl who is evacuated to the countryside during the Blitz. It offers a unique perspective on the home front experience during the war. "Code Talker: A Novel About the Navajo Marines of World War Two" by Joseph Bruchac This novel provides insight into the crucial role played by Navajo code talkers during World War II, offering both a compelling story and an often-overlooked aspect of the war. "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" by John Boyne While this book deals with heavy themes, it's often used in middle schools to introduce students to the Holocaust. It tells the story of a friendship between a German boy and a Jewish boy in a concentration camp. "Echo" by Pam Muñoz Ryan This unique novel weaves together multiple stories set before and during World War II, connected by a magical harmonica. It covers diverse experiences including the rise of the Nazis in Germany and the internment of Japanese Americans. These books offer a range of perspectives and experiences from the World Wars and Interwar Period, providing middle school students with engaging ways to learn about this critical era in history. They cover various aspects including the home front, the Holocaust, technological advancements, and the global nature of the conflicts, helping students develop a comprehensive understanding of the period.
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Teacher expertise and credentials
2 Degrees
Master's Degree from Western Governor's University
Bachelor's Degree in Education from Central Methodist university
Through a partnership and collaboration with the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and as an administrative teacher of public educational programs for more than ten years, I have taught English and social studies classes, among other subjects, to middle and high school students. Our curriculum met the Missouri Learning Standards and prepared high school students for college.
In addition, I have received over:
* 75 hours of professional development, specifically in English language arts writing courses
* 50 hours of professional development, specifically in history
* 12 hours of professional development teaching facts about people without personal viewpoints
* 75 hours of professional development in diversity from all over the world and how to teach diversity
Reviews
Self-Paced Course
$28
weekly or $335 for all content12 pre-recorded lessons
12 weeks of teacher support
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1 year of access to the content
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Ages: 14-18