Free Reign in Social Studies

[Dorsett Davis]

If you could design a 12-week course for 7th-8th graders on ANYTHING in the social studies subject area, what would it be? I've done Revolutions, Womens Studies, and America in the 1960s so far. Looking for some fresh ideas!

[Rick La Greide]

The results of 20th century collectivist thought; The Soviet Union - Lenin and Stalin, Germany - Hitler, China - Mao, Cambodia - Pol Pot, Cuba - Fidel Castro and the child killer Che. Millions killed by their own government.

[Kimberly Hawks]

I have loved doing a course that focuses on the nation's capitol.  We went through each monument and buildings (like the White House and Capitol building), some of the museums and talked about the historical significance and background of why we have each monument.   I would also love to do a course just on World War II and the Holocaust.  Students are fascinated by it (I think its a little bit of the its so horrific we should look away but we can't) and it opens itself up to looking at other genocides recently too which always surprise students.

[Dorsett Davis]

Great ideas, Rick and Kimberly! I'm intrigued. Another teacher is doing the WWII/Holocaust course, otherwise I'd be all over that. I had thought of doing the history of New York City (except I'm in North Carolina), but D.C. is a good idea too.

[Jeremy Greene]

Big History is about as fresh as it gets:  http://www.ibhanet.org/

Migration is a great topic.

And local history with a focus on student created oral history, like that used by Foxfire (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foxfire_books#Books) would be great.

[Katherine Bolman, PhD]

I would love to add the history of the art of the time your students are studying. Or how about assisting them in researching the artists of the time. At the age of 70 I went back to school to learn web design and then learned iWeb which Apple is discontinuing. I am working to get the site up using wordpress. arthistoryworlds.org is the name and I hope it will be up by the end of the month. I started the site with Prehistoric art which would be an interesting social studies topic if you could work it in. How did they do those cave paintings, what did the society have to have in order for there be enough support for the artists, did you know that these animals lived near these caves, etc. The site is divided into short micro lessons. Each lesson has questions which act as the art history teacher. Please if you use the site have your students do something with the information, make a painting, write a poem or reaction paper. If you do this they will never forget what they saw and learned. I have just gotten to Early Ancient Civilizations around the world. I am taking an around the world so that students can compare the art of different peoples who live in the same time line.

I would love to hear from you.

Katherine Bolman

[e-mail]

[Dorsett Davis]

Katherine,

I would love to check out your website when you get it up and running. I have a very strong background in art history and include art in almost every class I teach. I would love to teach a unit or time almost totally through art, if I could find the right subject/opportunity. Perhaps your website will provide inspiration :)

Thanks,

Dorsett

[Katherine Bolman, PhD]

I am delighted to hear from you. I hope that the site will be up soon. I hope that the site will be up soon and we can talk about it at that time. It is a pleasure for me to hear that you would include arts in almost every class you teach.

If possible, please write me a note at  [e-mail]  because that is the e-mail that I check most frequently, and that way I can get back to you when the site is up. I would enjoy interaction with anybody that might be interested in this project.

Thank you, Katherine Bolman

[Katherine Bolman, PhD]

Doreett, most of arthistoryworlds.org seems to be working so give it a try. Australia is not working so skip that one. Meet Katherine seems to be working.

My one request is that you keep in touch with me.

[e-mail] is the best email at the moment

[Jeremy Greene]

You might have some company.

Check out the Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History:  http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/

And this artist and her site:  http://www.kikworldart.info/

And one more: http://artchive.com/

 

Forgot the 100 Objects site:  http://www.bbc.co.uk/ahistoryoftheworld/

[Mary Fisher]

 What about Crime and Punishment through the ages or medicine, kids love gory stuff, I tell my 8th graders about what happened to William 1 after he died ( his body exploded because the coffin was too small, it was hot and all the gas in his body built up) and the other great story they love is how exactly one is hung drawn and quartered- great fun, gory and they love it!

 

[Ryan Goble]

I'm pretty into the medical idea as well - see Bloody Moments: And Further Highlights from the Astounding History ... and The Poisoner's Handbook: Murder and the Birth of Forensic Medicine ... Plus linking to Jeremy's stuff A History of the World in 100 Objects by Neil MacGregor