Middle School World History: Hands-On Learning & Exploration

Does your learner think history is just a collection of facts and dates? Or maybe they’re curious but struggle to connect with the past? This class changes all that.

Through immersive simulations and hands-on activities, learners will embark on a time-traveling journey to explore the pivotal moments that shaped our world. This course is designed to ignite curiosity, foster critical thinking, and make history come alive.

Starting with prehistoric settlements, learners will simulate hunting mammoths and building early civilizations. In the ancient world, they’ll dive into Mesopotamia, Ancient Egypt, and Greece, where they’ll uncover the secrets of pyramids, myths, and early democratic ideas. The classical age takes them to the Roman Empire and Asia’s rich cultures, exploring empires’ rise and their lasting legacies.

The journey continues into the medieval world, where learners will step into the shoes of knights, debate the Crusades, and explore the bustling trade routes that connected continents. They’ll discover the art, innovation, and daring voyages of the Renaissance and examine the transformative effects of the Reformation and global exploration during the early modern period.

Each session includes hands-on activities like reenacting historical events, solving challenges, and analyzing primary sources. Learners will simulate the challenges of building medieval societies, strategize as Renaissance explorers, and even debate political dynamics in the age of empires.

This course is more than history—it’s an adventure that connects the past to the present. With stand-alone lessons and no prior knowledge required, learners can join at any time and explore topics at their own pace. Materials and handouts are provided, ensuring every learner is prepared to dive into the past.

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Additional Class Expectations:

Active Participation: In this class, active participation is key to meaningful engagement and learning. Learners are strongly encouraged to contribute to discussions, share their perspectives, and ask questions. To promote critical thinking and effective in-class interactions, the chat feature should be used sparingly. While quick questions or clarifications are welcome, longer answers or discussions are best reserved for face-to-face interactions during class time.

Punctuality: It’s essential for learners to arrive on time for this class. While late arrivals are welcome to join and participate from the moment they arrive, we won’t be able to restart simulations or catch up on missed activities due to time constraints. To ensure the best experience for everyone, punctuality is strongly encouraged.

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***10am Central Thursday Tentative Schedule***

Prehistoric Societies & Ancient Civilizations
Feb 20: Paleolithic Societies: Early Humans 
Feb 27: Neolithic Societies: Villages to City-States 
Mar 6: Mesopotamian Civilizations: City-States to Civilizations 
Mar 13: Ancient Egypt, Nile River & Geography
Mar 20: Ancient Egypt & Mythology
Mar 27: Ancient Egypt, Nubia & Kush
April 3: Indus Valley Civilizations 
April 10: Indus Valley Civilizations
April 17: Ancient China 
April 24: Ancient China 
May 7: Mediterranean Civilizations: Ancient Israel & Phoenicia  
May 15: Mediterranean Civilizations: Minoans & Mycenaeans 
May 22: Mediterranean Civilizations: Minoans & Mycenaeans