World History (Grades 5-8)

Required Textbooks: The World’s Story 2 & Teacher’s Guide

Course Description: This course explores the dramatic transformation of Europe and the wider world from the collapse of the Western Roman Empire to the cultural rebirth of the Renaissance. Students will journey through the rise of medieval kingdoms, the growth of Christianity and Islam, the age of knights and castles, the influence of the Church, the impact of the Crusades, and the beginnings of exploration and reform.

Through engaging narrative, primary sources, and interactive activities, learners will examine how faith, leadership, conflict, and innovation shaped the medieval world. By the end of the course, students will understand how the Middle Ages laid the foundation for the modern era and will be able to connect key events, figures, and ideas across this pivotal thousand-year period.

Classroom Work: Group discussion and review questions; Timeline activities; Primary/Secondary source analysis; Group simulations; Period Artist Studies; Reader's Theater and map work, with occasional presentations, quizzes and group projects/crafts.

Homework: One chapter per week, all homework pages are included in the Teacher's Guide. Assignments include: Directed Journaling, Short Answer Questions, Artwork Sketching; Vocabulary, Map Adventures and Copy Work.