8th Grade Curriculum

Transcontinental Module

Considered one of the greatest technological achievements of the nineteenth century, the First Transcontinental Railroad joined together the eastern and western halves of the United States.  The WiloStar3D virtual world Transcontinental Railroad homeschooling unit  is based on the following pieces of literature: Death of the Iron Horse, The Transcontinental Railroad.

In this unit, students will:

• Read an overview of the history of the First Transcontinental Railroad.
• Read a short biography of Theodore Judah.
• Learn about the four famous men that financed the project.
• Recreate a 3D virtual world based on the route of the transcontinental lines by the 1880’s.
• Explore the “Golden Spike”.
•  Look at an early train schedule, hear first-hand accounts of the work and first trip across country.
• Create a 3D interactive account of the railroad.
• Create a 3D virtual world game called  the “Great Railroad Race” and work on a variety of railroad related projects.

Resources Used:

Stop the Train by by Geraldine McCaughrean

Gold Rush Module

8th graders finish out their middle school social studies sequence by learning about the consequences of United States westward expansion and its growing diplomatic assertiveness. With a particular emphasis on the Gold Rush students also study the Compromise of 1850 and the Kansas Nebraska Act. Students are then able to see patterns and cause and effect in American History expansion.

Objectives:

• Compare how and why people traveled to California and the routes they traveled (e.g., James Beckwourth, John Bidwell, John C. Fremont, Pio Pico).
• Analyze the effects of the Gold Rush on settlements, daily life, politics, and the physical environment (e.g., using biographies of John Sutter, Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo, Louise Clapp).

Assessment

WiloStar3D online homeschool students complete a variety of written assignments and final projects to assess progress. All work is archived in individual student folders at the WiloStar3D site. Final projects are showcased at the WiloStar3D site and are archived into personal student portfolios at the end of the school year to document progress and  demonstrate student growth.

WiloStar3D teachers provide written daily feedback on all student assignments. Students have password protected learning portals where assignment feedback is stored along with their e-Gradebook. Students have access to this area 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

These include:

• Gold Rush Town Virtual World
• Journal Writings

Resources Used

Seeds of Hope by Kristiana Gregory

World Mysteries and Crypids

In this integrated modules, students will explore folklore, writings and information on some of the world’s biggest mysteries. They will investigate what science has to say about world mysteries and also learn the fictional aspect of folklore. Students will synthesize what they learn by creating their own 3D Cryptid Hunters zoo in WiloStarius and assume the identity of a fictional archaeologist who has discovered a new world mystery. Gluing this all together is the fictional novel Cryptid by Roland Smith.

By the end of this module students should be able to:

• Gather data for research topics from interviews (e.g., prepares and asks relevant questions, makes notes of responses, compiles responses)
•  Use a variety of resource materials to gather information for research topics (e.g., magazines, newspapers, dictionaries, schedules, journals, surveys, globes, atlases, almanacs, websites, databases, podcasts)
• Organizes information and ideas from multiple sources in systematic ways (e.g., time lines, outlines, notes, graphic representations)
• Organize and write a simple character script

Industrial Revolution Module

The industrial revolution that took place between 1870 and 1920, brought many changes to the United States, including the mass production of consumer goods; large-scale migration from all parts of the world; and patterns of social change that reshaped workplace. Students will explore the impact this revolution had on the developing areas of the United States.

Objectives

• Understand the consequences of the expansion of industry that took place after Reconstruction, including the influx of new workers from both abroad and rural areas into the nation’s cities.
• Explore the reasons why various immigrant groups came to the United States, including both economic opportunity and political and religious freedoms.
• Understand how poor industrial working conditions led to nationwide labor unrest and how it contributed to major movements for social change.

Big Ideas to this module include:

1.) What was the most important invention to emerge from the Industrial Revolution?
2.) Was the Industrial Revolution a blessing or a curse for European and American societies?

Resources Used

The National Museum of National History Digital Collections

Making of Modern America and Inventions Module

The late 19th century witnessed the birth of modern America. These years saw the advent of new technologies of communication, including the phonograph, the telephone, and radio. They also saw the rise of the mass media: of mass-circulation newspapers and magazines, best-selling novels, million dollar national advertising campaigns. These years witnessed the rise of commercialized entertainment, including the amusement park, the urban nightclub, the dance hall, and first motion pictures. Many modern sports, including basketball, bicycling, football, and golf were introduced to the United States, as were new transportation technologies, such as the automobile, electric trains and trolleys, and, in 1903, the airplane. They also saw the birth of the modern university.

In this module, students will explore these topics in depth and create a 3D “Modern America” virtual world to showcase what they learned.

Assessment

Students complete a variety of written assignments and final projects to assess progress. All work is archived in individual student folders at the WiloStar3D site. Final multimedia projects are showcased at the WiloStar3D site and are archived into personal student portfolios at the end of the school year to document progress and demonstrate student growth.

WiloStar3D teachers provide written daily feedback on all student assignments. Students have password protected learning portals where assignment feedback is stored along with their e-Gradebook. Students have access to this area 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

These include:

• Personal Invention Project
• Early Inventions Exhibit
• New Technologies Knowledge Tower

Resources and Novels Used

The Invention of Hugo Cabre by Brian Selznick

In this fun beginning WiloStar3D virtual world online homeschooling class, students learn how to build and manipulate objects in Wilostarius, our online 3D learning world. Students learn how to create objects, build simple structures, add commands and execute actions. Students create their own student housing sector to showcase their skills as part of the course completion.
Topics covered in 3D Programming 1 include:

• Starting an object
• Moving an object
• Changing an object
• Assigning actions to objects
• Simple triggers
• Simple commands
• Simple animation commands
• Simple behavior commands
• Simple special commands

Builder’s Academy 101 offers everything kids need to build their own 3D castles and houses. In this 3D course children can embark on a fun-filled adventure that covers these areas:

• The fundamentals of 3D building and combining shapes in a three dimensional environment
• Utilizing tools to build a fantasy world of their own making
• Enjoying hours of fun after camp interacting in Wiloworlds playing with their creations and socializing with new friends

This unique program takes your child on an adventure they’ll never forget! Children not only explore the 3D worlds that already exist within WiloStarius (castle and house templates), but they can also construct their own unique models from the tools provided. Any objects and buildings children create may be accessed at home as well!

3D building combines fun experimentation and exploration with engaging learning experiences. In addition, children acquire an understanding of the way things are built and learn to follow clear instructions, building good listening skills.

Everyone dreams of building their own fantasy world. Now your dreams can come true!