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(X-post) History 1995-present for 8th grader - any quick ideas? (after SOTW-4)


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After SOTW-4, anyone add a little current history (1995-present)?

 

I'd like to add a little bit of current history after the end of SOTW-4. If someone else already has this all planned out, then I'm all for not re-inventing the wheel Besides, if I plan it myself, I'm sure to over-do & make my son groan. I'd like to stick to a SOTW-4 chapter sized summary of the last 15 years, and cover ds's lifetime (he was born in 1995).

 

Julie

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You might like "The World Today" by Henry Brun. I have the 7th edition, which has a 2008 copyright date. Amazon doesn't seem to carry it; see the table of contents (or order it) at Rainbow Resource: http://www.rainbowresource.com/product/World+Today+8ED/008690/1264964761-483829

 

The paperback book is 300 pages, and probably written for grades 8-12. It is organized by area of the world for each of the 4 general "units" or topics (global political survey; search for international security; global economy; facing the future). The 4 general "units" or topics are divided into 1 to 4 chapters, and each chapter is subdivided into about 8 short "articles" (3-6 pages long) on a specific country, focusing on current events (1990s-2000s), but with enough reference to early events in the 20th century so you understand how the current situation came about. It includes political cartoons, lots of maps, and charts/graphs of various statistics to support the text.

 

The book would be extremely easy to use as a school "textbook", as the short article aspect makes it extremely easy to "pick up and put down" at will, or to make assignments -- AND there is also a review at the end of each chapter in the form of a short test (no answer key -- you have to look back into the article to find answers).

 

BEST of luck in finding what works for your family! Warmest regards, Lori D.

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You might like "The World Today" by Henry Brun. I have the 7th edition, which has a 2008 copyright date. Amazon doesn't seem to carry it; see the table of contents (or order it) at Rainbow Resource: http://www.rainbowresource.com/product/World+Today+8ED/008690/1264964761-483829

 

The paperback book is 300 pages, and probably written for grades 8-12. It is organized by area of the world for each of the 4 general "units" or topics (global political survey; search for international security; global economy; facing the future). The 4 general "units" or topics are divided into 1 to 4 chapters, and each chapter is subdivided into about 8 short "articles" (3-6 pages long) on a specific country, focusing on current events (1990s-2000s), but with enough reference to early events in the 20th century so you understand how the current situation came about. It includes political cartoons, lots of maps, and charts/graphs of various statistics to support the text.

 

The book would be extremely easy to use as a school "textbook", as the short article aspect makes it extremely easy to "pick up and put down" at will, or to make assignments -- AND there is also a review at the end of each chapter in the form of a short test (no answer key -- you have to look back into the article to find answers).

 

BEST of luck in finding what works for your family! Warmest regards, Lori D.

 

Lori,

You are always such a great resource. Thanks for looking into that for me.

 

Sadly my library doesn't have anything by that author, and I'm ready to do this within days. I suppose I could wander over to my local bookstore, but that's always dangerous :) Also, I probably won't spend more than a week on it, similar to SOTW increments. I might just put it on my wish list for later & see if we have time for me to glean from that book later this year.

 

My thinking was that some folks on these boards would have personal experience following up SOTW-4 with something & I could pick their brains. But the feeling I'm getting from reading past threads is that not many have gone all the way through modern/current history? I could of course be way off on this...

 

Anyways, SOTW took us through 1994, and my version of MFW includes the second Pres. Bush. For the current pres, we have the MFW flashcard, but not many (quality) books include him yet of course. C-SPAN doesn't have as much on the most current presidents, compared to what we watched on other presidents. We do already cover some current events. We'll probably be fine. I know SWB's postscript in SOTW-4 explains that current events are not really "history," anyways.

 

Thanks again Lori,

Julie

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How about using some free online timelines and then dig into key people/events that interest your family? Below are some timelines to get you started. Best of luck! Warmly, Lori D.

 

Here are several timelines of world events by year, each with a brief sentence about the event:

 

Information Please = http://www.infoplease.com/yearbyyear.html

Earth to the Moon = http://www.earthtothemoon.com/1994_journal.html

Fact Monster: 20th century, by year = http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0001251.html

Fact Monster: 21st century, by year = http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0930923.html

 

Chart of key events:

E History: 20th century = http://ehistory.osu.edu/world/TimeLineDisplay.cfm?Era_id=16

E History: 21st century = http://ehistory.osu.edu/world/TimeLineDisplay.cfm?Era_id=26

Art Gallery: 1961-2009 world events chart = http://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/__data/page/13844/Kaldor_timeline.pdf

 

Key people, events, etc., by continent, almanac listings, technology, etc:

History Central: 20th century: = http://www.historycentral.com/20thCent.html

History Central: 21st century = http://www.historycentral.com/21st/index.html

 

Chart of Major Disasters of the 21st century:

http://www.mapreport.com/subtopics/d.html

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How about using some free online timelines and then dig into key people/events that interest your family? Below are some timelines to get you started. Best of luck! Warmly, Lori D.

 

Here are several timelines of world events by year, each with a brief sentence about the event:

 

Information Please = http://www.infoplease.com/yearbyyear.html

Earth to the Moon = http://www.earthtothemoon.com/1994_journal.html

Fact Monster: 20th century, by year = http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0001251.html

Fact Monster: 21st century, by year = http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0930923.html

 

Chart of key events:

E History: 20th century = http://ehistory.osu.edu/world/TimeLineDisplay.cfm?Era_id=16

E History: 21st century = http://ehistory.osu.edu/world/TimeLineDisplay.cfm?Era_id=26

Art Gallery: 1961-2009 world events chart = http://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/__data/page/13844/Kaldor_timeline.pdf

 

Key people, events, etc., by continent, almanac listings, technology, etc:

History Central: 20th century: = http://www.historycentral.com/20thCent.html

History Central: 21st century = http://www.historycentral.com/21st/index.html

 

Chart of Major Disasters of the 21st century:

http://www.mapreport.com/subtopics/d.html

 

Oh, Lori, :001_wub:

That will be perfect!

Julie

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I had my daughter read a few graphic novels in her study of the 20th century. Here are a couple that might fit the bill for your 8th grader. Do pre-read these for content that might be unsuitable for your family.

 

 

Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood by Marjane Satrapi

 

American Widow by Alissa Torres

 

Here is a list of graphic novels that pertain to 9/11/2001

 

Regards,

Kareni

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You might like "The World Today" by Henry Brun. I have the 7th edition, which has a 2008 copyright date. Amazon doesn't seem to carry it; see the table of contents (or order it) at Rainbow Resource: http://www.rainbowresource.com/product/World+Today+8ED/008690/1264964761-483829

 

 

 

Thanks for all the leads Lori. Bookmarking all for next year :)

I found "The World Today" on FetchBook:

 

 

http://www.fetchbook.info/compare.do?search=9781567656480

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Kareni, Interesting-looking books. I've never introduced ds to graphic novels. I might just give it a try one of these days.

 

Lori, Thanks for the kind words. I'm thankful for message boards where I can chat about mundane things & read about interesting ideas, in between pill counting :)

 

Julie

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