Note from the Founder:
Here at Historical Conquest, we love Texas. From its amazing scenery, to its diverse culture, and rich history. Texas is a state like none other. While flying home from Alaska, I shared an aisle with someone from the US Department of Education. As we talked about Historical Conquest, our physical history game, he asked me if we were thinking of designing curriculum with some of the great things we implemented in our games. I told him that we could, if there was a need. He told me there was a great need, and then gave me a piece of advice.
He said, “If you ever design curriculum, do it in Texas first. They are a trailblazing state with the teaching standards. They’re the best in the nation and many states look to their standards to design their own. So, start there first.”
This is another reason why we are piloting our system throughout Texas. Everyone from School Districts to Charter schools, and History Teachers to Superintendents, are talking about our program. We believe we have a system that will revolutionize the education system, and Texas has begun to embrace us. And for that, we thank those spreading the word.
– Zack Edwards, President and Founder of Historical Conquest
TEXAS STANDARDS (TEKS):
As per the advice of that Department of Education official, we turned to the TEKS, in designing our curriculum. Our alignment includes, but is not limited to:
- We wanted the most detailed and thorough standards available. From there, when we move into the other 49 states, we could modify their coursework to align with their state’s standards.
- We don’t just write about what is found on a test; we give the bigger picture, including the individual stories of men, women, children, and every ethnicity involved in these parts of history. We want to have pride in the culture and history of all those in the past.
- More than history, but also geography, culture, etc.
- More than just social studies, we integrate other K-12 subjects, such as ELA, Science, Math, Music, etc.
SCORES INCREASE WHEN SCHOOLS INCREASE THEIR STUDY OF SOCIAL STUDIES
A study from the Fordham Institute finds:
1) When you increase emphasis in Social Studies (SS), both ELA and SS scores increase;
2) Students should be taught SS before 5th;
3) Integration of ELA into Social Studies class is more effective than SS in ELA class; and
4) Students’ mind crave knowledge rich text.
This was the press conference/webinar to announce these momentus findings by Fordham: https://fordhaminstitute.org/social-studies-instruction-and-reading-comprehension . Want to learn more?
Board of Advocates (All Teachers)
No one is more of an expert than the teachers in the classroom! So, to make sure students and teachers had a voice, we created our Board of Advocates, to speak for the needs of Texas teachers and students. It is them who make sure the user interface is attractive to the viewer, easy to maneuver, and understandable, for both teachers and students.
BENEFITS FROM USING THIS SYSTEM:
Imagine some of these great benefits:
- Higher scores: Social Studies, ELA, SPED, ESL;*
- More student engagement in their work;
- Increased retention and understanding;*
- Students coming to class excited to learn;
- Leave class wanting to learn more; and
- Lightening the load of history teachers.
* According to new research from the Fordham Institute
To see our slide deck, please email us: zack@historicalconquest.com
How to use it in a classroom?
Our objective is to:
1) Re-engage students in class, 2nd-12th grade; 2) Increase retention and understanding;
3) Relieve the load teachers carry; and
4) Allow teachers time to focus on individuals.
Features include:
1) Lesson plans (premade and customizable);
2) Independent study though individual access;
3) Units accessible in class and at home;
4) Test disguised as video games; and
5) Real-time data for teachers to track progress.
WE WANT TO HELP:
We have made sure that we are affordable to schools throughout the state. We are working with experts throughout the country, who specialize in grants and educational funding, to make sure every school can afford this curriculum – without breaking the bank. We have found sourcing and formula funding to fund every part of this program, for all students in the school or district.
For small school districts, especially rural, we have small school pricing, to help.
TREA members receive group specific specials. We are also working with the CEF, and other Texas educational organizations, to do the same. We are here to help!
