School Partnerships

Teachers who have attended local seminars or workshops, and some whom we have met at conferences around the country, are working with CALIS to implement analytical tools, case teaching, or new approaches to the full range of topics and courses.

The Four Worlds of History (4WH) is an exciting new project for both middle and high school!

Karen West's students at Mulholland Middle School in LAUSD trace the impact of technology that created a turning point in human history: How were the first small villages able to transition to large settlements and develop into urban centers?

Mulholland has been the lead partner school in developing the 4WH model and piloting materials.

Students' Thoughts About 4WH

After a year of Ancient Civilizations where each society was studied using a focus question and a 4WH exercise, 6th grade students in the Karen's DRW/ESL* class offered these evaluations:

• I like the idea of making the 4 world chart because I knew how to put the worlds in the different places. It helped me to understand the society better. We learned better from this program. Andrew

• Maybe next year we can create our own civilization because we understand what belongs in a civilization. I think the focus questions helped me a lot because when we had to write about the questions I understood it better. It kinda helped me when I took the Mock CST because I remembered more. Paul

• Because of this I think we are ready for 7th grade history. The portfolio will help us to remember all that we did. Gabriel

• The four worlds charts helped us to write the focus question and helped us to be prepared for the tests. I would recommend this program to other teachers because it helps to get ready for the next year. Jessy

*Developing Readers & Writers (DRW); English as a Second Language (ESL)