This on-going course will cover an introduction to why and how both World War I & World War II began.  Even though this class’s content builds each week, we do a lot of review of previous lessons. Reviewing is very important for history classes because there are so many names, dates and places to remember. Due to this, all new learners are welcome to join this class at any point during the year. 

This class is for students who have little to no prior knowledge about either of the world wars and what countries were involved. Students will also connect how consequences of WWI led to WWII as well as how technological advances affected WWI.

NOTE: due to this class being a beginning elementary level class for both World Wars, there will be no in-depth discussions on sensitive topics such as racism, forced labor, slavery, or sexual orientation.  For WWII when Adolf Hitler is taught we will focus on how he was a man who rose to power wanting to make Germany a strong powerful nation twenty-one years after WWI. The focus will be on his desire to rule Europe and eventually the World - gaining more land and power - thinking that anyone who was not German was inferior. This discussion will happen in a general, other’s thinker way - why it’s important to treat people who are different than us with kindness. 

I use songs, books, video clips and hands-on activities to create an interactive learning environment to help students stay engaged. The concepts under social studies can be harder concepts for learners to grasp - it’s not as cut and dry as a science topic. Due to this, there will be a lot of hands-on learning. 

WORLD WARS I & II STANDARDS TO BE COVERED:

World War I:
1.  Allied Powers
2.  Central Powers
3.  Treaty of Versailles
4.  Reasons for WWI and its aftermath
5.  Dates WWI began and ended
6.  United States' role in WWI

World War II:
1.  How did WWI affect WWII?
2.  What countries aligned with the Allies?
3.  What countries aligned with the Axis?
4.  What does it mean to be neutral?
5.  What did the United States do to help end the war?
6.  People in History:  Who was Anne Frank?
7.  What was a positive result of the war?
8.  What is the purpose of the United Nations?

SCHEDULE:
Week of June 16:  What is a World War?  
                                How did WWI begin? 
                                WWI Allied vs Central Powers
Week of June 23:  Map out Allied & Central Powers
Week of June 30:  Causes of WWI Overview via Map of Europe
Week of July 7:  Trench Warfare
Week of July 14:  Trench Warfare + New WWI Technology Sheet
Week of July 21:  Main Battles
Week of July 28: Treaty of Versailles 
Week of August 4:  TBD
Week of August 11:  TBD
Week of August 18:  TBD
Week of August 25:  TBD