Take a few minutes to examine and think about the graphic, below. Based on the history curriculum guide for your grade level, please write a paragraph describing your first thoughts on how you might integrate one or more of these themes in your yearly plan...
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In my US History class we do a brief review of the American Revolution. The American Revolution (past history) can be compared to the revolutions in Egypt and Libya (current events and global issues), as well as any local issue that people are working to change. Students can also come up with any issue that they see as unfair at school and would like to see changed. Another thing I also do to relate the American Revolution to students is I read a "break up note" that I "found" in the hall. The students get very excited (and some are embarrassed that maybe the note might be theirs?) and I reveal at the end that this break up note is fake and compare it to the Declaration of Independence. I found this idea on the internet and it turned out to be a hit in the classroom since it really pulls the students in.
With these topics we can discuss the following themes: individual and group security, impact of science and technology, governance and group decision-making, and a few more! We can compare and contrast the American Revolution to the revolutions in Africa by examining the demands of those in rebellion as well as how technology impacts revolution.
Human-environment interactions-native Americans pre-Europeans; English colonists
Impact of science and technology- European Exploration (caravel, astrolabes, etc), westward expansion period (cotton gin, telegraph, steam engine, etc.)
Governance and Group decision making-creating US Constitution; puritan society
I work frequently with my language arts teacher and one of her themes for 8th grade is "finding my place in the world." I think it would be interesting to examine the theme of the individual and group security throughout history. We could look at this theme as it relates to the French & Indian War, the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. We could also examine the theme as it relates to Civics and the Constitution. During the 2010-2011 school year, our team did a debate unit and one of the topics was "Are the TSA searches and body scanners an acceptable invasion of privacy?" It would be interesting to address that debate topic with more historical knowledge.
This is a great framework for our 3/4 planning team when creating or reflecting on our theme studies. It is visually too much for intermediate kiddos to process themselves.
Pam
The themes are good for helping us as elementary educators focus a unit and develop questions. But the structure of the model needs to be adapted for younger students. It will serve us as teachers for planning purposes.