Modern History Bridge
Grade level: appropriate for 3rd – 7th grade
Pages: 132
Course type: Study guide (See the Booklist tab for the resources required to complete this course.)
What is Modern History Bridge?
Modern History Bridge is a complete modern history course written for students in grades 3 to 7. It is a compilation of parts from two History Odyssey study guides that were previously offered by Pandia Press: Early Modern Level 1 and Modern Times Level 1. The History Quest series, first published in 2019, replaces the Level 1 History Odyssey series for elementary grades. Early Times and Middle Times are the first two books in the History Quest series. Together they cover human history from pre-history through the start of the early modern period. Modern History Bridge serves to complete the three–year world history cycle covering events from the end of Middle Times through modern history. After completing this course, students will be prepared to move on to History Odyssey, a series for students in grades 6 and up. Modern History Bridge will eventually be replaced by History Quest: Modern Times when it is available.
Modern History Bridge is appropriate for third through seventh grade. We do not recommend using this course for a child younger than third grade without some significant alterations. The historical content is more violent and more disturbing— including several wars, slavery, and assassinations—than early time periods. Also, the writing assignments in this course are more advanced, preparing the student for History Odyssey courses.
Modern History Bridge will eventually be replaced by History Quest: Modern Times when it is available.
The guide includes:
- 20 modern times history blackline maps
- Hands-on activity instructions
- Extensive library lists for each lesson
- Suggested schedule for a 36 week school year
- 36 detailed lessons (each lesson includes one week of assignments) covering:
- Literature and history readings
- Writing activities
- Reading comprehension questions
- Geography
- Timeline work
- Activities
What Resources and Materials Do I Need?
In addition to this study guide, you will need:
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The Story of the World, Volume 4: The Modern Age by Susan Wise Bauer
- Literature from booklist. See the Booklist tab for a complete list of the books needed.
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Access to other reference material via the library or internet
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A detailed world atlas
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Colored pencils for mapwork
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3-ring binder with dividers and lined paper
Below are the books required for this study guide. Options are provided for some titles. (Titles link to Amazon.)
Main Reference Spines
1. Usborne Encyclopedia of World History with Internet Links
2. The Story of the World, Volume 4: The Modern Age by Susan Wise Bauer
Literature
3. Your choice of one of the following adapted novels from the Classic Starts series:
Classic Starts: The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, edited by Chris Sasaki
Classic Starts: Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson, edited by Chris Tait
Classic Starts: Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens, edited by Kathleen Olmstead
4. Your choice of one of the following Thomas Edison biographies:
Great Minds of Science: Thomas Edison by Katherine Krieg
Britannica Beginner Bios: Thomas Alva Edison, Inventor and Entrepreneur by Greg Roza
National Geographic Kids: Thomas Edison by Barbara Kramer