I don't know if you've given too much thought to the fact that you all have been "guinea pigs" of a sort for more than a year now. As the first group to go through each year of the "World History" curriculum, you're being exposed to a number of teaching strategies and ideas for the first time. I think some of them have worked real well, others, not so much. Anyway, I wanted to let you know that I welcome feedback and suggestions.
One thing that I've been conscious in doing is trying not to rely much on "direct instruction," or lecturing. Clearly, as different people teach this curriculum, they'll have different areas of expertise. I'm pretty well versed in some of these topics, but others are basically brand new to me as well. My hope is that I'm putting together a number of activities and ideas that others can use and build upon with their own interests and expertise.
Today, however, we'll go back to some "direct instruction." We're at a key time in the world's history in terms of the field of economics. You've been introduced to Smith and Marx, as well as a number of terms used in the field. I think that both the rest of this year and all of next year's United States history will make more sense if we spend some time looking at these people and ideas. We'll do that today.
"Economics for Sophomores" - I'm teaching Economics next quarter to some seniors, but we'll try and give you a quick overview today. Think of this more as a "workshop" than a lecture. I'll get you trying some graphing, etc.
Download a copy of this Economics for Sophomores note guide and have a piece of paper and writing instrument ready...
1889 Paris World Exposition - I probably shouldn't admit this, but the idea for this assignment came from The Magic Tree House book, The Night of the New Magicians. You're going to have to do a little time traveling with me for this one to work, but here's the premise.Â
We're all at the 1889 Paris World Exposition. You each have a person and topic on which to present. (Most of you will be working in pairs.) We'll be focusing on the material from Chapter 26, Section 4, "Nineteenth-Century Progress." Yes, I KNOW some of the things you'll be presenting on were not even invented yet in 1889. Â That's the whole time travel thing.Â
For each of the presentations, I'd like to see the following elements:
- something visual (Powerpoint or video clip or whatever)
- background on the development or invention
- consideration of both the economic and social consequences of the idea/invention
- mention of key developments/impacts since the original idea/invention
Here are the people and ideas/inventions from which you'll choose:
- Thomas Edison - phonograph and light bulb (others?)
- Alexander Graham Bell - telephone
- Guglielmo Marconi - radio
- Henry Ford - automobile
- Wright Brothers - human flight
- Louis Pasteur - germ theory of disease
- Joseph Lister - antiseptics
- Charles Darwin - evolution
- Gregor Mendel - genetics
- Dmitri Mendeleev - periodic table of the elements
- Marie and Pierre Curie - radioactivity
- Sigmund Freud - psychology
- Herbert Spencer - Social Darwinism
We'll hold our version of the 1889 Paris World Exposition on Monday, October 6th. Here's information on the "real" 1889 World's Fair if you are curious.
Continue your reading in Chapter 26, Section 2, "Self-Rule for British Colonies." (pp. 751 - 755) The quiz will be matching.
Just a reminder that your Cartoons: Industrialization and Imperialism assignments are due on Friday, October 10th.
We will be holding our 1889 Paris World Exposition (or "Fair" if you prefer) on Monday, October 6th. You'll each have a short presentation ready for that.
