Twentieth Century History

This elective, slated for 8th graders with mature themes and complex reading, serves as a sequel to the Grammar School Story of History series. It immerses students in the 20th century, exploring key events from World War I to the turn of the century. Through biographies, historical fiction, and narrative histories, students encounter heroes, villains, and pivotal moments. They analyze how ideologies like Marxism, communism, and capitalism shaped nations, and understand global events such as the Space Race, the fall of the Berlin Wall, and 9/11. The course fosters study skills like attentive listening, close reading, map reading, and timeline building, preparing students for advanced history courses. Topics include U.S. presidents, major wars, cultural revolutions, civil rights, and world leaders. Students dedicate approximately 2 hours weekly to reading and a discussion board post.