| Global
Classroom
Global
Studies Curriculum (geared to WA Social Studies CBAs)
We
at the Global Classroom program are interested in supporting high
school teachers who are implementing the social studies Washington
State Classroom-Based Assessments (CBAs). To that end, we have begun
adding CBA sections to the resource packets that we distribute at
our professional development programs.
While
these packets are aligned with the Washington State CBAs, they are
also valuable resources for anyone teaching about world politics,
history, geography and economics.
For
more information on CBAs, instructions, and rubrics see the Washington
State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction webpage: http://www.k12.wa.us/assessment/WASL/SocialStudies/default.aspx
2007-2008 Topics:
- China
- Russia
- Nigeria
- Japan
- Venezuela
- Turkey
- Global
Health
- U.S.
Foreign Aid
"China
Matters: Exploring This Multidimensional Land and People" (Introduction
to China - Middle School Curriculum Unit, including a bridging document
for the Why History? CBA) 8/1/08 Slideshow
This
unit features a vivid slide show with 100 images of China, divided
into categories. Captions are provided for teachers. Students will
examine their preconceptions about China and learn about China's
diversity. The unit also includes a targeted resource list and a
bridging document to help students get started with the “Why
History?” CBA.
"China's
Environmental Challenge" (Humans and the Environment - High
School CBA) 4/24/08
With its intense economic growth, huge population, and rising energy
consumption, China now faces many serious environmental problems.
In this curriculum unit, students will learn about China's current
environmental situation and explore the complex challenges facing
the leadership and the peoples of this diverse land. This unit includes
an environmental quiz and extensive fact sheets. In a role-playing
exercise, students will use primary sources to explore multiple
perspectives and points of view.
"China:
Factory of the World" (Technology through the Ages - High School
CBA) 3/12/08
Shortly
after Mao Zedong’s death in 1976, Deng Xiaoping and other
reformers moved to grow China’s economy instituting new “reform
and opening” policies. After three decades of spectacular
economic growth, China has emerged as the manufacturing factory
of the world. These lesson plans, activities, and resources will
help students begin to examine China's current industrial revolution
and explore the benefits and costs of its spectacular growth. Since
this is huge issue, the unit is designed to help students break
the topic down and focus on one aspect to research and present on.
"Russia's
Sakhalin Island: When Oil, Nature, and Politics Collide" (Causes
of Conflict - High School CBA) 8/1/08
In this unit,
students will examine the development of gas and oil fields on Russia's
Sakhalin Island within the context of the Russian government's complex
relations with the various stakeholders involved. From environmental
issues to economic issues, from the multinational oil companies
to the local island population, this is a rich topic that touches
on a variety of important social studies concepts. Includes vocabulary
terms and links to terrific online resources.
"Return
of a Super Power: How History Can Help Us Understand the Role of
Energy in Russian Foreign Policy Today" (Why History? - Middle
School CBA) 8/1/08
Over the past
ten years, changes in the Russian economy have come at an astounding
pace. Recently, Russia has been called a “petro-bully,”
and some Europeans have become concerned about relying on Russia
for their energy supply. Through the resources and activities in
this unit students will explore the role of oil and natural gas
in Russia's economic rise and in Russian relations with other countries.
"The U.S.
and Russia: Missile Defense Plans" (U.S. Foreign Policy - High School
CBA) 11/07/07
These
lesson plans, activities, and resources will
help students who wish to examine current U.S. policy toward Russia.
The focus is on current relations between the U.S. and Russia, and
how this relationship is shaped by the history of the Cold War.
As a specific example, it looks at the current tensions around U.S.
plans to place missile defense installations in the Czech Republic
and Poland.
"Analyzing
Nigeria's Past with Hope for the Future" (Causes of Conflict
- Middle School CBA) 8/1/08
Slideshow
Nigeria is one of the world's leading oil producers.
Yet, a majority of the population live in poverty. In this lesson,
students will uncover and analyze the causes of conflict in Nigeria,
with specific emphasis on oil and the Niger Delta region. Students
will develop an understanding of the challenges Nigerians face and
then be able to clearly articulate in a paper or presentation the
reasons behind these challenges. This unit includes a slide show
that illustrates living conditions in the Niger Delta region, a
mapping activity, and links to plenty of targeted online resources.
"Choices
and Consequences for the Niger Delta" (Humans and the Environment
- High School CBA) 8/1/08
Slideshow
In this unit, students will analyze the choices people
have made with respect to oil production in Nigeria and think critically
about the consequences of these decisions. Students will evaluate,
from multiple points of view, the connection between oil and the
health and welfare of local citizens in the Niger Delta. Utilizing
maps, photographs, articles, and participating in a variety of activities,
students will develop a critical understanding of Nigeria’s
natural resource dilemma.
"U.S.
and Japanese Transportation Innovations in the 1950s and 1960s"
(Meeting Needs and Wants - Middle School CBA) 5/1/08
During
World War II Japan's economy was destroyed by military attacks,
use of scarce resources for military purposes, and severed trade
relations. Transport was nearly impossible, and urban industrial
production halted. During the 50s and 60s the government rapidly
expanded investment in Japan's infrastructure: building highways,
high-speed railways, subways, airports, port facilities, and dams.
Students will explore not only Japan's transportation innovations
during the middle of the 20th century but also look at the U.S.
expansion of its highway system and the opportunity cost (trade-offs)
of commuting. This unit will introduce students to U.S. and Japanese
geography and population density. Students will also explore who
"won" and "lost" as a result of transportation
developments.
Curriculum
Units on Venezuela: I.) The U.S. and Venezuela: Comparing and Contrasting
National Priorities; II.) Spinning Hugo: Contradictory Assessments;
III.) Energy Choices Town Meeting (Causes of Conflict – High
School CBA) 6/1/08
Engage your students with this timely exploration of Venezuela.
This unit includes three lesson plans that can stand-alone or be
used together. Students will be encouraged to look at issues facing
Venezuela from Venezuelan perspectives; discuss media literary by
distinguishing between fact and opinion; and discuss the advantages
and disadvantages of three distinct approaches to out nation’s
energy crisis.
"The
Golden Age of the Ottoman Empire" (Dig Deep - Middle School CBA)
1/29/08
These lesson plans, activities, and resources
will help students begin to examine the Golden Age of the Ottoman
Empire under Suleiman the Magnificent (1520-1566). The Dig
Deep CBA asks students to select and describe a time period using
specific primary sources. Students’ historical interpretations may
take the form of an essay, a letter to or from a historical character,
a journal entry, or a newspaper article.
"Climate
Change & Global Health" (Humans and the Environment - High School
CBA) 01/15/08
These
lesson plans, activities, and resources
will help students understand how humans interact with the environment.
This lesson requires students to either propose a solution to a
current environmental issue that will improve the health of the
system or analyze a historical situation in terms of the environment
and propose a reasonable alternative that would have improved the
health of the system.
"U.S. Foreign Aid in
Nigeria and Elsewhere" (U.S. Foreign Policy - High School CBA)
10/16/07
These
lesson plans, activities, and resources
will help students who wish to examine U.S. policy in distributing
foreign aid. Topics addressed include the new "tough-love"
policy for foreign aid; President Bush's "new compact for global
development" and the Millennium Challenge Corporation; the
Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, which established USAID; and foreign
aid to Nigeria. Students can use these resources to focus on foreign
aid in general, U.S. aid to Nigeria, or U.S. aid to a different
country or region.
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