New Adventures in World History CHM4E

Multimedia Resources

Learn360 is an Online Video Library that has more than 9,000 educational videos, P-12 in a variety of subject areas, that can viewed online. Content includes: documentaries from the CBC, National Geographic, A&E, Sunburst, Learning Zone Express, Weston Woods and TV Ontario.

The Online Video Library is a valuable research tool students can use for conducting research and gathering information, great for student projects or assignments! Students can search for videos on a variety of topics and watch them online.

How to:

  • link to Learn360 from MediaNet (medianet.kprdsb.ca)
  • select the Learn360 icon on left of page
  • login using your KPR username and password.

HISTORICAL METHOD - an introduction

WHY DO WE STUDY HISTORY [slideshow]

Unit 1: The Road To Civilization

Topic 1: The Iceman

Assignment #1: Iceman ("Taxman" by the Beatles)

Iceman ("Taxman" by the Beatles) [online]

A song about the frozen mummy they found in the Alps, not the guy down the street selling crystal meth (which will turn you into a fugly, living mummy btw so don't do it!) (original instrumental)

Assignment #2: Ancient Murder Mystery

Assignment #3: You be the Judge

Writing an Opinion Piece [Learn360]

Opinion pieces should contain short digestible paragraphs with only one or two major pieces. Add in expert opinions and a final appeal to convince the readers.

Checklist for Writing Opinion Paragraphs [document]

Topic 2: From Hunter-Gatherers to Farmers

Assignment #1: The Neolithic Revolution

Assignment #2: Black Plague

The Black Death - Worst plague in history [online]

The Black Death or bubonic plague was one of the most devastating crises in human history. The plague manifested in Europe between 1348 and 1350 and around half of entire population had fallen victim to the pestilence.

Assignment #3: Who had it better?

Mankind: The Story of All of Us: Birth of Farming | History [online]

The discovery of farming created the roots of modern civilization.

Topic 3: Stonehenge

Assignment #1: Secrets of Stonehenge

Secrets of Stonehenge | National Geographic [online]

Many secrets remain surrounding the creation of Stonehenge. Archaeologists try to unravel the mystery.

Assignment #2: Theories of Stonehenge

Assignment #3: Research on the Internet

Documenting Sources [document]

EasyBib [online]

A very popular tool among students, although you’re a bit more limited by the free version (MLA is the only available style until you register and pay for an upgrade).

With the free version, you can:

  • Search for sources easily by title, author, or URL to take advantage of the auto-cite tool
  • Cite over 50 types of resources (including digital images, blogs, and federal court rulings)
  • Cite using the MLA style only

Topic 4: Mesopotamia

Assignment #1: The Fertile Crescent

Mesopotamia Map [document]

Assignment #2: Return to Eden

Mesopotamia: Return to Eden [online]

Explore the land of the Bible and see evidence of the world's oldest civilizations. Go back to the dawn of civilization, following clues that lead to the Garden of Eden.

Mesopotamia: Return to Eden ~ Video Worksheet [document]

Assignment #3: Mesopotamia

Assignment #4: Design the Flag!

Unit 2: Monuments of Civilization

Topic 1: Pyramids of Egypt

Assignment #1: K-W-L Organizer

Assignment #2: How Did Egyptians Build the Pyramids?

How were the Egyptian pyramids built? [online]

Summary: The Aztecs, Mayans and ancient Egyptians were three very different civilizations with one very large similarity: pyramids. However, of these three ancient cultures, the Egyptians set the standard for what most people recognize as classic pyramid design: massive monuments with a square base and four smooth-sided triangular sides, rising to a point.

The Great Pyramid of Egypt, How was it Built [online]

"How were the Great Pyramids of Egypt built?!!" The question that puzzled and eluded generation after generation might finally be answered by none other than Dr JP Houdin, the French man who gave up almost everything in life and channeled all his resources and focused all his energies on ONE thing and One thing only which is solving that age-old riddle "How were the Great Pyramids of Egypt built?!!" And you know what , his theory is the best theory so far with so many evidences it can not be refuted, no matter how hard the "haters" try, this theory will stand the test of time, just as the Pyramids themselves did. Mr Houdin is no less(modern-day) genius than Hemi-Uno the 4,500 years old Egyptian genius who designed and supervised the building of the Great Pyramid.

Assignment #3: The Pyramids

Assignment #4: Plan for the Afterlife

Assignment #5: Secrets of Lost Empires

Secrets of Lost Empires I—Pyramid [online]

In a 90-minute special presentation, NOVA reveals the ancient secrets of how the pyramids were built by actually building one. A noted Egyptologist, Mark Lehner, and a professional stonemason, Roger Hopkins (This Old House), join forces in the shadow of the Great Pyramid of Giza to put clever and sometimes bizarre pyramid construction theories to the test.

Topic 2: Roman Colosseum

Assignment #1: How much do you know about the Roman Empire?

Assignment #2: The Colosseum: A Grand Amphitheater

Inside the Coliseum Segment 12 of 19 (07:33) [Learn360]

Up to 5000 animals might be killed in one day as well as thousands of slaves and captives. Water channeled into the floor of the Coliseum made it possible to stage naval battles. The nerve center of the arena lay below the Coliseum floor.

Assignment #3: How Civilized Were the Romans?

How Civilized Were the Romans? [document]

Checklist for Writing Opinion Paragraphs [document]

Assessment Rubric: Opinion Paragraphs [document]

Topic 3: Great Wall of China

Assignment #1: What do you know about China’s ancient civilization?

Assignment #2: Uniting China and Reforms

Assignment #3: Fortifications

How and Why the Great Wall of China Was Really Built [online]

The Great Wall of China was built 2,200 years ago out of military necessity: to combat the Mongolian ancestors of Genghis Khan. Its construction was a marvel of military engineering.

Topic 4: Notre Dame Cathedral

Assignment #1: Gothic Architecture

Notre Dame Cathedral Segment 2 of 10 (06:57) [Learn360]

Maurice de Sully and Louis VII want to consolidate control over France. Notre Dame is to be a symbol of their authority.

Fire engulfs historic Notre-Dame Cathedral (WEB VIDEO) [Learn360]

The Notre-Dame Cathedral went up in a roaring blaze, devastating the historic structure and causing a huge loss for Paris and for France.

Assignment #2: Notre Dame and History

How to Make a Timeline Infographic [online]

Timeline infographics can make complex information way easier to understand with their simple, linear structure.

Assignment #3: Notre Dame as a Book

Topic 5: Vimy Memorial

Assignment #1: War Memorials

In Memoriam: Stories of Courage Full Video (04:30) [Learn360]

Commemorating Canadian’s heroic feats with 13 First World War memorials erected in France and Belgium.

Assignment #2: “Birth of a Nation” v. Mythmaking

Perspectives on the Battle of Vimy Ridge [document]

Assignment #3: Design a Memorial

Unit 3: Disasters

Topic 1: Introduction

Assignment #1: What Do You Know About Disasters?

Emergency Events Database (EM-DAT) [online]

In 1988, the Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters (CRED) launched the Emergency Events Database (EM-DAT). EM-DAT was created with the initial support of the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Belgian Government.

The main objective of the database is to serve the purposes of humanitarian action at national and international levels. The initiative aims to rationalize decision making for disaster preparedness, as well as provide an objective base for vulnerability assessment and priority setting.

EM-DAT contains essential core data on the occurrence and effects of over 22,000 mass disasters in the world from 1900 to the present day. The database is compiled from various sources, including UN agencies, non-governmental organisations, insurance companies, research institutes and press agencies.

Topic 2: Vesuvius: 79 CE

Assignment #1: Pompeii

Pompeii Full Video (51:08) [Learn360]

Pompeii tells the heart-rending story of the last hours of both Pompeii and Herculaneum. Their story is told first-hand by those who witnessed the disaster.

Pompeii: The Last Day ~ Video Worksheet [document]

Assignment #2: Investigating and Analyzing

Disasters Concept Chart [document]

Topic 3: Great Fire of London: 1666

Assignment #1: Building Codes

'A new focus for us': Canada's building code being modernized to address climate change [online]

The update is being done this year, and 'the major action will come in 2025,' says National Research Council

Assignment #2: Analyzing Visual Evidence

Assignment #3: Investigating and Analyzing

Disasters Concept Chart [document]

Topic 4: Lisbon Earthquake: 1755

Assignment #1: Tsunamis

Tsunami 101 Full Video (03:27) [Learn360]

Learn how earthquakes create tsunamis and why these tidal waves cause so much death and destruction when they hit land. Observe how scientists in the United States monitor earthquakes and warn citizens in the event of a potential tsunami.

BBC Bitesize - Tsunamis [online]

Assignment #2: Primary Source Evidence

Assignment #3: Investigating and Analyzing

Disasters Concept Chart [document]

Topic 5: Irish Potato Famine: 1845-1849

Assignment #1: How much do you know about the Irish Potato Famine?

Assignment #2: Cause and Effect

Assignment #3: Investigating and Analyzing

Disasters Concept Chart [document]

Topic 6: Halifax Explosion: 1917

Assignment #1: One of the worst disasters in Canadian history

Halifax Explosion - Disasters of the Century [online]

The Halifax Explosion was a maritime disaster in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, on the morning of 6 December 1917. SS Mont-Blanc, a French cargo ship laden with high explosives, collided with the Norwegian vessel SS Imo in the Narrows, a strait connecting the upper Halifax Harbour to Bedford Basin. A fire on board the French ship ignited her cargo, causing a large explosion that devastated the Richmond district of Halifax. Approximately 2,000 people were killed by blast, debris, fires and collapsed buildings, and an estimated 9,000 others were injured.

Assignment #2: Challenges in Our Community

Assignment #3: Investigating and Analyzing

Disasters Concept Chart [document]



CHM4E Summative - World Heritage Sites

UNESCO World Heritage List [online]


CHM4E Summative - Day of History

20th Century History [online]


Classroom Handouts:


Bibliography Tool Online: Using Citation Machine will help to integrate referencing into your research and writing routine; turning a time-consuming ordeal into a simple task.

Other References: