Freedom Week

Class: 8th grade Social Studies

Duration: six lessons of 15-30 minutes

Subject: The lessons discuss American culture and diversity. It addresses the importance of accepting diversity in a nation of immigrants, and the historical footsteps that led to this mosaic that is America.

Description and Overview: Americans have accepted the idea that as a nation its strength lies in the diversity of its people. The history of America is the story of the one and the many. It is the story of how people of different nationalities, languages, and religious beliefs came together to form an idea that would become America.

In the lesson we used a prezi to identify the important figures that inspired the abolitionist movement. Important names like William Garrison, Dred Scott, Harriet Beecher Stowe, and Fredriech Douglas became America’s conscious. They made America question the morality of a system that at its heart was evil. Key historical events served to further divide a nation split along pro and anti slavery lines. These divisions would culminate in the election of Abraham Lincoln and ultimately civil war.

The Declaration of Independence was addressed in a wiki that provided links to three short videos. Video one is a short history of the Declaration and its significance. The second video is a reading by prominent actors and public figures. It is inspiring in that it is read with due respect, by a variety of individuals pointing to the fact that The Declaration of Independence is not merely a document in time but a living idea who personification is every American. The third video is a poem by Dr. Maya Angelou read at President Clinton’s Inauguration Address. It touches on the very idea of the Declaration of Independence as belonging to all Americans of every race and creed. Her speech bridges the gap from the multi-national past to the multi-cultural present. There is also a short power point presentation that follows a timeline from the beginning of unrest in the colonies to the American Revolution and the Declaration of Independence.

The Preamble of the Constitution is the best known document in American government. It is the preface for highest laws in the land. The Preamble gives an explanation for creating a constitution and gives permission from its people to create laws that they will abide by. In this power-point the preamble is laid out and explained in terms that students can understand.

Freedom Week

The Bill of Rights is expressed by using a podcast. The multicultural dimension of America is captured when the first ten amendments are read by individuals of different ethnicities. In this exercise emphasis on the different accents and ages of the individuals helps students to understand that this is the voice of America; multicultural and multilingual.

Objectives: This lesson plan will address the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Social Studies requirement

113.2(a)(7)” Celebrate Freedom Week”

The objective of the lesson is to explore the importance of diversity in American Culture and link it to historical events.

Procedures: