History in the Headlines: Seventh Graders Connect China’s Past and Present

Seventh graders are putting their historical knowledge to work as they conclude their Chinese history unit in Upper School History. As a culminating project, students are writing single-page, newspaper-style articles focused on current events in China, connecting the past to the present in a meaningful way.

Led by Upper School History Teacher Jason Guss, the assignment challenges students to explore how historical developments have shaped modern-day China while deepening their understanding of global affairs. Beyond strengthening their writing skills, the project serves to strengthen their media literacy skills—emphasizing how to read the news critically, identify bias, avoid plagiarism, and write in a clear, balanced voice.

Students are drawing from a variety of reputable news sources, including both American and international outlets, as they research and craft their articles.

“This project helps students see that history isn’t something that just lives in textbooks,” said Guss. “By examining current events in China, they’re learning how the past directly shapes the world we’re living in today.”

Through this hands-on approach, seventh graders are not only wrapping up a major unit of study but also building essential skills they’ll carry into future coursework—and into the world beyond the classroom.