There's a lot happening in the world right now that relates to my school's history curriculum. (My co-teacher and I were talking about how when we just finished talking about Venezuela, we needed to start talking about Greenland, and haven't even gotten to Iran yet.)
I teach regular World Studies and also AP World. Especially in AP World, I'm really trying to covering as much of the curriculum as I can, and I definitely doing a lot to relate the curriculum to today: Simone de Bolivar & Venezuela (Unit 5), Imperialism to Trump buying Greenland, etc. But I also want to try and make new assessments that force students to make connections in an authentic and accessible way.
Does anyone have any philosophies about being purposeful and mindful in tying your curriculum to what's happening in the world right now? How much of the current curriculum do you relate to the past—especially in an AP world curriculum? And how do we talk about power in the world today without trying to force kids to think one particular way? Are there any topics that you talk about the most?