A comprehensive 8th-grade history unit examining the economic structures, human experience, and global impact of the Transatlantic Slave Trade, centering on primary sources and the resilience of enslaved people.
An intensive investigative unit on Franz Kafka's *The Metamorphosis* following the North Star/Uncommon Schools instructional model. The unit focuses on the thematic intersection of labor, identity, and dehumanization. Students analyze Gregor's alienation from his family and society through a structured rigorous framework including vocabulary acquisition, character identification, and thematic synthesis.
A comprehensive 5-day mini-unit exploring the Declaration of Independence through the lens of its 250th anniversary, focusing on grievances, the signers, global impact, and the ongoing struggle for civil rights.
A multi-day project sequence where students design their own nation, exploring concepts of geography, governance, economics, and civil rights.
A comprehensive exploration of the Theseus and Minotaur myth, covering historical origins, narrative structure, and character archetypes.
An analytical deep-dive into the collapse of the Western Roman Empire, treating history as a forensic investigation into why great powers fail.
A case study of four famous ancient leaders (Julius Caesar, Alexander the Great, Hatshepsut, and Empress Wu) focusing on the complexities of power, leadership, and moral ambiguity for 6th-grade students.
An in-depth exploration of the Reconstruction era, focusing on the promises made to formerly enslaved people and how those promises were ultimately broken. students will analyze primary sources and complete a research project on land ownership and the quest for economic independence.
A multi-day exploration of Philadelphia's cultural history through the lens of the film Rocky, covering the late 1970s, the Bicentennial, and the real-life inspirations behind the character.