In this 16 week flexible schedule class, each week we will explore the early modern world, discover and discuss what was happening, and then complete a fun art project that goes along with our weekly theme.  

Learners will engage with the stories of the people of the medieval world through videos, discussion questions in the Nearpod classroom and games, including a step by step instructional video for the art project each week 

Each week will be its own theme, and project.  Each week's lesson will include:
1) 10-15 minute video lecture and slideshow
2) Open ended discussion questions
3) Polls and/or quizzes, designed to increase interaction and retention of the lesson
4) Step by step art lesson video.  Each art project will be a person, place of thing from the history lesson.  

Each week will be it’s own theme, and project:
Each week will be it’s own theme, and project:
Week 1: World of Empires - This week takes a look at the growth and power of the western European empires that began colonizing North and South America. We will discuss the negative consequences of colonization, including depriving countries of their own resouces and enslaving Indigenous people.  We will draw a Spanish sailing ship.
Week 2: Mary Queen of Scots - Imprisoned by her own cousin!  We will look at the shaky relationship between Scotland and England, and draw a Marion hanging.
Week 3: Early Jamestown -  In this lesson we will discuss the early settlers in North America, the colony of Jamestown.  We will discuss the reason British settlers came to North America, and the complicated circumstances they created by not adequately being prepared.  We will draw the British ship, the Susan Constant
Week 4: Hideyoshi - We will learn about Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the leader of Japan in the mid 1580's, the system of government he 
implemented and draw a Samuri warrior.
Week 5: Plymouth - We will learn about the Wampanoag people and the impact the settlers had on them.  We will look at representations of various Wampanoag creations. The art project will be making drawing a wood carving inspired by images of Wampanoag wood carvings and techniques
Week 6: The Slave Trade - We will discuss how the Atlantic slave trade changed the nature of slavery causing greater economic impact than ever before, and changed the tragectory of  continental African civilization.  We will draw a map of the triangular  slave trade route travelled between Europe, Africa and the Americas. 
Week 7: The Middle East - Over the course of history many empires have ruled the area we call the middle east.  We will look at the impact each empire had not only on the region, but other areas of the world.  We will create an Ottoman coin design
Week 8: The Thirty Years War - It was one of the most destructive wars in European history.  We will discuss the causes of this war, including including religious, dynastic, territorial, and commercial rivalries.  We will draw a European soldier of this era
Week 9: The Rise of the Manchu - The Qing Dynasty was the final imperial dynasty in China, beginning in 1644 to 1912. It was an era noted for its initial prosperity.  We will discuss the reasons for this prosperity.  We will draw a Chinese paper dragon
Week 10: The Moghul Emperors of India - Founded in 1526 by Babur the Tiger, we will discuss how the Moghul emperors ruled India in prosperiety and also how they had a reputation for ruthlessness. We dill draw and paint the Taj Majal
Week 11: The Sun King of France - The longest reigning king of France.  We will look at how Louis ruled France with strength and 
                 prosperity, and how that impacted the country.  We will draw a portrait of Louis XIV
Week 12: Wars in the Colonies - Many European countries had colonies in North America, and they fought with the Indigenous people  and each other over control of the lands. We will discuss this issue from the viewpoint of both sides.  We will draw a colonist
Week 13: Isaac Newton - The Early Modern era was a time of advancement.  Many scientists were expanding on ideas of the past to improve the future. We will learn about the Enlightenment, and Isaac Newton's role in that period.  We will draw a cartoon 
about gravity
Week 14: Peter the Great  - Czar of Russia, Peter is responsible for connecting Russia to the western world.  We will learn about Peter's travels, and decisions that brought new ideas to Russia.  We will draw a portrait of Peter the Great
Week 15: The English in India - Europeans loved trading with the East. We will learn how English traders created trading posts in India which grew to have a huge impact on the whole country of India.  We will discuss this issue from both sides, reflecting back to week 10, and India's position post-Moghul Empire. We will draw an elephant
Week 16: The Seven Years War - This "war" was fought in both North America and Europe.  We will learn how Britain, France, and 
                Spain fought for territory in North America, while Prussia and Austria fought over land in Europe.  We will draw Fort Pitt

***Participation in the classroom discussion will be required to check for proper understanding and to promote a sense of community among enrolled learners. Participation will include interactive questions , and may include thoughtful posts, uploading photos of your artwork. offering feedback to other learners and/or uploading videos of thoughts or questions.