Welcome back from the weekend! I hope all had a safe and fun couple of days.
This week, students will be exploring the innovations and functions of the Declaration of Independence and identifying applications to their own lives. On Friday, students brainstormed and shared in groups what they already knew about the Declaration, then read short passages "What's in it for Me? -- Frequently asked Questions on the Declaration". We then viewed an historic public reading of the document on its 225th anniversary and discussed both the drafters' shortcomings and their bravery of innovation.
Monday: To develop a better historical perspective, students will create an equality time capsule that compares equalities of various demographic groups from the colonial era with today. The big questions: How should/can we judge the drafters of the Declaration? How have the ideals of the Declaration been met or not met? If time allows, students will begin the Thomas Paine re-enactment that was not realized last week.
Tuesday: Get ready to get involved! Students will demonstrate and expand their own awareness of the Declaration's impact on their lives by investigating prompts on local, state and national civics.
Wednesday: Be a truth detective! The Declaration of Independence helped define our rights and liberties as Americans. Do not always believe what you read! Find the errors and truths in a partially factual article regarding the origins of Declaration.
Thursday: An introduction to the family tree project. Students will be asked to conduct interviews with family members over the winter recess. Interviews can be conducted over the phone. Interview guides will be provided, but not required. What is required is interaction with personal histories! Obviously, in our age, the shape of the family has changed. Students who were adopted or with alternative living situations will still be required to investigate some facet of their adoptive or foster families. The goal is to have students identify, recognize and share their own immigrant trails out of North America (or within N. America for American Indians) and share at least one family story.
Stay tuned for activities on the final day before break.