The Year at a Glance!!!!

First Nine Weeks

PWCS Code of Behavior  
Time: 1-2 Weeks
Students will review county policies and regulations
ALL PWC students will take the Code of Behavior Test

Early Development of Humankind
Time: 2 - 2 1/2 Weeks
Students will examine how archaeologists use and interpret prehistoric discoveries to shed light on our understanding of the earliest hominid species including: homo habilis, homo erectus, homo sapiens and moderns - homo sapiens sapiens.

Ancient River Valley Civilizations
Time: 3 Weeks
Students will examine the Neolithic or agricultural revolution in which man stops following food and domesticates animals and learns to grow crops in the fertile river valleys of the Eastern Hemisphere.  The Nile River Valley civilization of Egypt, The Tigris and Euphrates River Valley civilization of Mesopotamia, and early civilizations of the Indus River Valley in India and the Huang He (Yellow) River Valley in China will all be studied. 

Ancient Civilizations of the Eastern Hemishphere
Time: 3 - 3 1/2 Weeks
Students will examine other ancient civilizations of the Eastern Hemisphere and note the accomplishments and achievements of the Persia, India, and China as well as the Phoenician, Hebrew and Kush civilizations.
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Second Nine Weeks

Greece
Time: 3 1/2 Weeks
Students will examine the impact of the civilization of Greece on the development of the Western Hemisphere.  Specifically, students will focus on mythology, religion, economy, the development of Greek city-states, the Persian and Peloponnesian Wars, the cultural achievements during the Golden Age of Pericles and the Rule of Alexander the Great.  Students will also learn about the development of democracy and examine Athens and Sparta to learn about government and the role of citizens in an advanced society.

Rome
Time: 4 Weeks
Students will examine the impact of the Roman civilization of the development of the Western Hemisphere.  An in-depth look at the civilization will enable students to learn about Roman development, the rise and fall of the Roman Republic, the rise and fall of the Roman Empire, Mythology and Christianity, the impact of the Caesars, and the cultural achievements of Rome 

Mid-Term Exam Review and Testing
Time: 1 Week
Students will review the material from the first semester.  ALL World History Students in Prince William County take the standardized mid-term examination.

Third Nine Weeks

The Byzantine Empire
Time: 2 1/2 Weeks
As the Roman Empire divides, and the Western portion centered in Rome declines, students will explore the rise of a powerful civilization in the East centered at Constantinople. We will discuss the rule of the emperor Justinian, the accomplishments of the Byzantines and the Schism in the Christian church that leads to the development of the Greek Orthodox Church

Early Islamic Civilization and African Kingdoms
Time: 2 1/2 Weeks
Students will explore the rise of a new religion called ISLAM on the Arabian Peninsula. We will trace the development of this religion from its roots at Mecca with the Prophet Muhammad's earliest revelations to the rise of a political civilization at Medina. We will discuss the Five Pillars of Islam, the Quran, Islamic achievements and the eventual spread of Islam into African kingdoms through cultural diffusion.

China, India and Japan
Time: 2 1/2 Weeks
Students will explore further development of the great Chinese and Indian civilizations with a focus on Buddhism, Hinduism, Shinto and Confucianism. We will discuss the life and teachings of Siddhartha Gotama (Buddha) and the Indian Caste System.  

Major Western Civilizations
Time: 1 1/2 Weeks
Through a study of the political and economic systems as well as the religious beliefs of the Aztecs, Mayans and Incas, students will explore three major civilizations in the Western Hemisphere.  
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Fourth Nine Weeks

Early Middle Ages
Time: 2 1/2 Weeks
Students will discuss the influence of the Catholic Church in Europe, the invading Germanic Tribes, the age of Charlemagne, and the development of a new system of survival and self-sufficiency: the Manorial System and Feudalism

Late Middle Ages
Time: 2 1/2 Weeks
The rise of Nation States (England, France, Spain and Russia) bring an end to Feudal society and a gradual reclaiming of lands by powerful rulers.  Christianity remains a stronghold in Europe as the Crusades are undertaken to liberate the Holy Land from the expanding Muslim Empire.  Europe is faced with a disastrous plague that decimates the population!

Rise of the Renaissance
Time: 2 1/2 Weeks
The importance of trade that developed as a result of the Crusades leads to the rise of the Italian Renaissance.  Students will explore the works of Machiavelli, Leonardo DaVinci and Michaelangelo!

Final Exam Review and Testing
Time: 1 Week
Students will review the material from the second semester.  ALL World History Students in Prince William County take the standardized final (second-term) examination.

** All times referred to in this year at a glance are an approximate estimation of the time needed to complete each unit.  Time frames for each unit will be adjusted if necessary, based on student needs, to ensure student mastery of our curriculum!

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