Here is one of the strategies that we ought to be using in history and social studies classes because it lets us take advantage of a tool that students probably already possess ... namely, the story maps they've been using in English and Language Arts and Literature for years and years. When looking at stories and novels, students are often asked to focus on the "elements" of story: setting, characters, plot, and theme, among others. When we look at historical events, we're interested in the same things: where and when did the event take place? who was involved? what was the problem or goal that set events in motion? what were the key events? how was it resolved? and, for theme, so what? what's the universal truth, the reason this matters?

Students will analyze the impact of colonization on Sudan including regional divisions, independence movements, and conflict. Students will understand the various economic, political, and societal factors that have led to wars in the region. Students will also learn that these conflicts have led to migration out of Sudan, exploring cultural and artistic production of Sudanese people in the diaspora. Students will learn that the effects of decolonization and ethnic conflict have been a push factor for African migration in the new wave of diaspora.Essential/Compelling Question(s)  How has the legacy of colonization and imperialism impacted Sudan?  How has conflict in Sudan affected the country’s politics, economy, and society?  How are human rights affected in times of conflict?

Students will complete an overview of Sumer and then move in to analyzing Hammurabi's Code. They will determine if Hammurabi's Code meets the needs of individuals or society as a whole. 

This article examines the Tang Dynasty of China. Marked by strong and benevolent rule, successful diplomatic relationships, economic expansion, and a cultural efflorescence of cosmopolitan style, Tang China emerged as one of the greatest empires in the medieval world.

In this activity, students collectively construct an illustrated timeline of historic events and people they have studied.

This lesson focuses on the concept of the afterlife and the importance of pleasing the gods and goddesses, the significance of tombs and tomb building, and the burial customs and traditions of the ancient Egyptians. After learning about all of these concepts, students will design a tomb, create a model of it, and complete a short written assignment explaining the design and contents of the tomb.

This lesson focuses on the importance of geographic features and the abundance of natural resources that helped ancient Egypt become the world's first superpower. Students will learn about the geography and resources available to the ancient Egyptians and create a multimedia tour that demonstrates this learning to others.

In this lesson students will understand the foundation of Hinduism. They will consider and examine the ancient texts that defined Hinduism, develop an overarching understanding of the complexity of Hinduism and its early development and review the major deities in Hinduism and their individual roles in the spiritual lives of Hindus.

This article explains how African rulers and merchants established trade relations with the Mediterranean world, western Asia, and the Indian Ocean region.

This article explains how trade played a major role in the cultural, religious, and artistic exchanges that took place between the major centers of civilization in Europe and Asia during antiquity.

This article explains how Islam spread to Africca through trade and its impact on African societies.

This article explains how slaves became the focus of trade between Europe and Africa from the seventeenth century and explores the effects of the transatlantic slave trade.

Students in junior high and high school grade levels can interpret modern trash to learn about people today in the same way archaeologists use ancient garbage as evidence for people's lives in the past.

This resource provides a lesson and activity that tasks learners with analyzing various slides that depict cultural and social representations of the Silk Road civilizations. Students will attempt to create a word map and creative writing samples. Students will have the opportunity to explore culture of and history of China.

Students will summarize the treatment of North African women by both North African men and the colonial powers. Students use primary text and visual sources to evaluate the multiple perspectives of the treatment of North African women. Students will write an essay summarizing the lesson.

The purpose of this lesson is to help students understand the issues that have created two Koreas and have kept them apart for more than 50 years. Students will analyze the issue of reunification and develop their own position paper on how reunification might occur.

In this lesson, students will examine perspectives for and against the U.S. trade embargo on Cuba, investigate the historical background of the embargo, develop a position on the embargo, and articulate viewpoints in a public forum.

Students will watch a short set of videos and respond to questions set provided on the Umayyad and Abbasid Dynasties. 

In this Teaching with the News lesson, students analyze photographs of the 2014 protests in Hong Kong an explore the symbols and messages that protesters use to express their views.

After reading the anchor text “The Unbreakable Code”  and the paired selection “Allies in Action” students will create a MakeyMakey to discuss the changes the US Government felt about the Navajo and African Americans in WW2.