Fundamentals of Research & Presentation

"Fundamentals of Research & Presentation" is an engaging online course designed for 8th grade students or mature 7th graders. It equips students with essential research and presentation skills using real-world examples. The curriculum involves researching and presenting on the history of students' home states, fostering understanding of diverse locations and building public speaking capabilities. Students work on nine presentation projects throughout the year, dedicating approximately 3 hours per week on research and map work. The course also covers US states and capitals, major geographical landmarks, natural resources, and industries.

The course prepares students for higher-level rhetoric courses and fulfills typical US state history requirements for 7th or 8th grade. It introduces students to identifying and using high-quality internet sources, oral and visual presentation skills, and explores historic figures, American Indian history, explorers, early settlements, and more. The suggested grade level is 8, or mature 7th grade students who are 12 by September 1 of the current year.