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Geography of America from Past to Present
Reviewing Basic Geography
1.1 Getting Oriented
Actively review mapping concepts such as latitude and longitude on individual desk maps.
1.2 Creating a Visual Guide to Geographic Terms
Label and discuss various geographic terms and draw an illustration representing each term.
1.3 Creating USA Map Placards
Apply basic geography skills and knowledge of states to create a class game.
1.4 Playing the Geographical Pursuit Game
Test their geographic knowledge about the 50 states in a game show format.
Learning the Physiographic Features of the United States
2.1 Mapping the Physiographic Features of the United States
Accurately label a physiographic map as they decipher 30 questions about the U.S.
2.2 A Nation of Water
Explore images of oceans, rivers, and lakes and discuss how each affects human settlement.
2.3 Create a Continent
Draw an imaginary continent and then write an essay to explain the locations of five principal cities.
2.4 The Land
View and discuss images of many of the landforms they have mapped.
Adapting to the Environment: Native Americans
3.1 The Relationship Between Native Americans and the Land
Identify and explain Native American attitudes toward the land, adaptation, culture, and ecology.
3.2 In Touch with the Land: Envisioning Native American Cultures
Hypothesize how the indigenous peoples of the region adapted to the environment.
3.3 Students as Anthropologists: Identifying Cultures by Region
Act as anthropologists to categorize images of native American groups by geographic region.
3.4 Writing a Story Inspired by Southwest Images and Music
Embark on a “journey” of the Southwest and write descriptive stories of Native American life.
Adapting to the Environment: Colonial Settlers
4.1 Examining Colonial Adaptations to the Land
Critically analyze images depicting life in the New England, Middle, and Southern colonies.
4.2 Comparing Native American and Colonial Land Adaptations
Write a comparative essay on how Native Americans and colonists adapted to the environment.
Culminating Project
5.1 Creating an Illustrated Map of Native American
Create a map that explains how the physical landscape affected settlement.
Examining Colonial Society
1.1 An Introduction to Colonial Society
Examine the motivation for colonization and English settlement.
1.2 Understanding the Differing Colonial Societies
Create travel brochures for Southern, Middle, and New England colonies.
1.3 Trip Through the Colonies: Journal Writing
Assume the role of English journalists and “travel” through the colonies.
Slavery in the Colonies
2.1 An Overview of West African Culture
Study images depicting the cultural backgrounds of enslaved Africans.
2.2 Rhythms of West Africa
Explore the music of West Africa by listening to and creating music about West African culture.
2.3 Imagining the Horrors of Enslavement
Imagine the cruelty and inhumanity of enslavement as they listen to Alex Haley's Roots.
2.4 Mini-dramas: Africans Resist and Adapt to Enslavement
Create presentations chronicling aspects of slave life using primary-source materials.
Growing Conflict with England
3.1 From Comfort to Discontent
Analyze images depicting the changing relationship between Great Britain and its American colonies.
3.2 Taxation Without Representation: A Classroom Parallel
Wriggle with indignation when they are unfairly “taxed” for their school supplies.
3.3 Understanding Colonial Unrest
Apply an “Unrest-O-Meter” to pre-Revolution events.
3.4 Perspectives on Rebellion
Analyze three acts of colonial rebellion from multiple perspectives.
3.5 Editorializing on Rebellion: Through Colonial and British Eyes
Write an inspired editorial on the Revolution from a colonial or a British viewpoint.
Toward Independence
4.1 Making Sense of Common Sense
Interpret key passages from Common Sense and represent them in act-it-outs.
4.2 A Town Meeting: To Declare Independence or Not
Assume the role of historical figures to re-create a 1776 town meeting on independence.
4.3 Loyalists and Patriots Talk It Out
Re-create an argument between a Loyalist and a Patriot and then write an inspired dialog.
4.4 Analyzing the Declaration of Independence
Create an illustrated Declaration of Independence.
4.5 Visions of the Revolution: The War Through Art
Analyze five images of Revolutionary art for perspective and detail.
Culminating Project
5.1 Creating a Quilt About Colonial Life and the American Revolution
Create an illustrated quilt that presents diverse views of the colonies and the American Revolution.
The Constitution in a New Nation
The Roots of Government
1.1 Can People Be Trusted to Govern?
Host a “Meet the Press” interview of 9 prominent thinkers on their philosophies of government.
1.2 Experiencing the Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation
Apply the decision-making process of the Articles of Confederation to adopt a “Coat of Arms.”
1.3 Analyzing the Features of the Articles of Confederation
Analyze and discuss the purposes and problems of the Articles of Confederation.
1.4 Spelling Out the Weaknesses of the Articles
Write a descriptive poem to explain the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.
The Creation of the Constitution
2.1 The Convening of the Constitutional Convention
Study images depicting the convening of the Constitutional Convention in 1787.
2.2 The Compromises of the Constitution
Resolve the controversial issues facing delegates at the Constitutional Convention.
2.3 Constitutional Card Sort
Analyze 25 constitutional questions about the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.
2.4 Maintaining the Balance of Power
Simulate the system of checks and balances upheld by our three branches of government.
2.5 Creating Metaphors for the Constitution
Create a visual metaphor: “The three branches of government under the Constitution are like a...”
The Creation of the Bill of Rights
3.1 Considering a Parents’ Bill of Rights
Apply critical thinking skills as they view and discuss images depicting a Parents’ Bill of Rights.
3.2 Creating a Students’ Bill of Rights
Generate a Students’ Bill of Rights in reaction to the Parents’ Bill of Rights.
3.3 Understanding the Bill of Rights
Examine 10 images depicting individual rights and identify the corresponding amendments.
3.4 Imagining Life Without the Bill of Rights
Write a compelling story about middle school students whose rights have been violated.
The Constitution in Action, 1789–1820
4.1 Illustrating Hamiltonian and Jeffersonian Ideals
Create a poster to accentuate the ideals of Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson.
4.2 Giving Voice to Jefferson and Hamilton
Identify quotes by Jefferson and Hamilton and listen to recordings to discover the correct choices.
4.3 Building “A More Perfect Union”
Analyze 10 images depicting key problems facing the nation’s early presidents and leaders.
The Constitution in Action Today
5.1 Judging Court Cases
Form legal teams to debate five authentic Supreme Court cases; learn the Supreme Court’s decision.
5.2 Drafting a Legal Opinion
Act as Supreme Court justices to write a legal opinion on a case presented in the previous activity.
5.3 Understanding the Legislative Process
Experience the pressure of competing interests as they formulate a bill on offshore oil drilling.
Culminating Project
6.1 Creating a Parade Float to Commemorate the Constitution
Design a parade float that shows how the creation of the Constitution solved many important problems.
Manifest Destiny in a Growing Nation
Exploring Manifest Destiny
1.1 America Discovers Its Manifest Destiny
Critically assess the meaning of Manifest Destiny after viewing and discussing images.
1.2 Journal Writing: Heading West with Lewis and Clark
Assume the role of William Clark to create an account of life on the new frontier using primary sources.
The Heritage of the Southwest
2.1 Discovering the Southwest Heritage
Explore images and design a mural representing Mexicano contributions to Southwest culture.
1.3 Political Developments in an Expanding Nation
Discover how the common citizen became a greater part of the political process.
2.2 Conflict in the Southwest
Interpret images depicting such events as the Lone Star Revolt and the Mexican-American War.
2.3 Writing a Corrido About Life in the Southwest
Listen to a Mexican folk song and compose an original corrido.
Many Paths to the West
3.1 Overcoming Geographic Challenges Along the Oregon Trail
Hypothesize how westward pioneers overcame such challenges as the Rocky Mountains.
3.2 “Do’s and Don’ts” for Pioneers
Create a descriptive flier for pioneers on the essentials of westward travel.
3.3 Mini-dramas from Life in the West
Bring to life scenes depicting the lives of westerns such as Chinese Americans and pioneer women.
Through the Eyes of Native Americans
4.1 Manifest Destiny from a Native American Perspective
Forfeit “land” to a group of students “destined” to occupy the prime classroom space.
4.2 Cultures in Conflict
Analyze images chronicling Native American removal during the greatest period of U.S. expansion.
4.3 The Nez Percé: Interpreting History Through Music
Present dramatic accounts of each step of the Nez Percé’s historic retreat.
4.4 Responding to Chief Seathle
Write a presidential speech responding to a letter from Chief Seathle.
A Case Study of Reform: Women’s Rights
5.1 Meeting Women Who Spoke Out
Examine the debate of equality in the 1830s and 1840s and compose responses.
5.2 How Far Have We Come Since Seneca Falls?
Conduct a debate as they assess whether women’s issues from 1848 are redressed today.
Culminating Project
6.1 Creating an Annotated Scrapbook About Manifest Destiny
Compile an annotated scrapbook of how U.S. expansion affected people’s lives during the 1800s.
The Civil War and Reconstruction
Contrasting North and South
1.1 Contrasting North and South
Create spoke diagrams illustrating the North and the South before the Civil War.
1.2 How Geography Determined Two Ways of Life
Design a flowchart showing how diverse geography affected life in the North and the South.
1.3 Identifying Multiple Perspectives on Slavery
Analyze nine viewpoints on slavery from diverse thinkers.
1.4 The Spectrum of Views on Slavery
Represent a historical figure and stand on a spectrum to demonstrate the figure’s view on slavery.
The Coming of the Civil War
2.1 From Compromise to Conflict: The Crisis Unfolds
Debate the issues facing the Union in the mid-1800s.
2.2 A Press Conference on the Eve of the Civil War
Re-create an 1861 press conference to discuss how the crisis might have been avoided.
2.3 A Letter to the Editor: To Go to War or Not?
Write an editorial to express concerns regarding the grave state of the Union.
A Family Divided: Fighting the Civil War
3.1 Graphing Civil War Data: The Telling Numbers
Chart crucial Civil War information and draw conclusions about its impact on the war.
3.2 A Visual History of the Civil War
View, hear, read, and respond to a number of primary-source materials from the war.
3.3 Civil War Songs: Changing Attitudes Toward War
Closely examine song lyrics from the Civil War era to reveal underlying attitudes toward war.
Reconstructing the Union
4.1 Writing Report Cards on Reconstruction
Grade the responses to postwar problems, then write their own plan for Reconstruction.
4.2 Reconstructing the Nation
Evaluate the successes and failures of the attempt to rebuild the nation after the Civil War.
4.3 We Shall Overcome: A Dramatic Presentation
Dramatize the continuing struggle for equality for African Americans from 1877 to the 1950s.
Culminating Project
5.1 Creating a Visual Metaphor About the Civil War
Construct a visual metaphor on the degree to which the Civil War created a more perfect union.
The Rise of Industrial America
Industrializing America
1.1 Toward Industrialization
Gain appreciation for the magnitude of the Industrial Revolution by viewing and discussing images.
1.2 Graphing America’s Rising Industrialism
Interpret graphs and images illustrating the changes the Industrial Revolution brought.
1.3 Experiencing the Assembly Line
Seethe with unrest as they labor on an assembly line to mass-produce a drawing.
1.4 Labor’s Response to Industrialism
Discover how long hours, hazardous conditions, and low pay led to the formation of the labor movement.
1.5 Labor and Management Talk It Out
Engage in a fiery management-versus-labor debate and write dialogs.
Immigration: The Changing Face of America
2.1 The Great Wave of Immigration
Experience immigrating from one “country” to another and discuss the impact on natives and immigrants.
2.2 The Rising Tide of Immigration
Gain insight into the living and working conditions of U.S. immigrants at the turn of the century.
2.3 Voices of Chinese Immigrants: Poems from Angel Island
Explore tales of life on Angel Island and create poems about the Chinese experience.
2.4 Analyzing Attitudes on Immigration Through Political Cartoons
Inspect a series of turn-of-the-century political cartoons to uncover attitudes of the time.
2.5 Interviewing a Recent Immigrant
Meet with a recent immigrant to discover the challenges and dreams facing immigrants.
The Progressives Reform America
3.1 The Progressive Response
Discuss eight images about the issues and personalities central to the Progressive period.
3.2 Progressive Thinkers Meet the Press
Re-create a press conference with key personalities from the Progressive era.
3.3 Rewriting “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee”
Listen to a biting parody and then write lyrics reflecting the Progressives’ view of America.
Culminating Project
4.1 Publishing a Newspaper About the Rise of Industrial America
Design newspapers to explain how industrialization and immigration changed life in the U.S.