A unique look at US History from 1900-2010. Spending time in each decade, we’ll learn about world events using music, primary sources, photography, and art of the era. This approach helps history come alive in a way that a typical textbook struggles. Most decades will take three weeks of study to complete.

We work on making connections between events and the how the journey through history helped lead us to the current day.

This class will average 2.5 hours of homework a week, with a mix of graphic novels, selected readings, and videos to complete at home. Class time will maximize group learning and projects. Supply costs include a student sketchbook, shared class art supplies, and graphic novels to be used in the class.

Students will be assigned a year end project which is figured into the homework average.

Some of our in class projects include :

* Analyzing child labor at the turn of the century and working on the problem as a class as we learn more about urbanization and industrialism

* Building our own WWI battlefield showing the trench warfare and technology of the time.

* 1930’s era murals in the style of the WPA as we learn about the Great Depression and New Deal

Some of our homework assignments include :

* Individual analysis of studied events and our opinions on the outcome

* Writing a letter to the editor about our feelings about the Women’s Suffrage Movement.

* Designing a Victory Garden as we learn about the US Homefront in WWII

* Maps showing population changes from decade to decade

* A group newspaper highlighting important events of the 1960s.

Required:

· Students must have computer access, able to research and write on historical subjects.

· Students must have Microsoft Word/ MS Word or some common word-processing program mainly for creating documents, such as handouts and students' homework assignments

· Students must have the ability to email papers to the teacher.

· Students must come to class on time, be seated, and be prepared to begin class

· Students must turn in assigned homework.

· While this is not a traditional history class, this is not a remedial class. Students will be expected to turn in high school-level work.

· Students must actively participate in class discussions and presentations.

Required text & supplies:

* Loose-leaf paper- brought to class

* 2” - 3" ring binder - to collect readings and primary sources

* A spiral notebook - to keep a world timeline