Ashley+Carter-+Thinking+and+Planning+Big

__Thinking and Planning Big__ Grade: 8th grade AM-NC

Expanded Write-up

Theme 1: Choice of Revolution- People are always trying to break the “norm” and change things for the better. Doing so can be rewarding, but in some cases change can lead to deadly consequences. The choice of revolution made by America’s first congress is still in question today, issues may have taken a new name but at their base they are the same as they were in the past. Students are faced with choices everyday that can have lasting effects on their lives. Understanding the issues our founding fathers faced are still relevant today will help students connect the present in the past while also passing along the importance of choices in everyday life. Other topics that would tie into this theme of revolution would be the various battles and decisions of commanders during this time, the haitian revolution, and the french revolution. Essential or Highlighted Individuals: George Washington- Washington was the face of the American Revolution. He was the man that everyone looked towards for military decisions (despite his mishaps during the french and indian war). He was the embodiment of what people think of when they think about the revolution, and students will find it interesting to humanize him. Washington was a great man, but by no means was he perfect. He made many mistakes but the way he is remembered seems to forget those. François-Dominique Toussaint Louverture - Louverture was one of the most influential people of the Haitian Revolution. He was a military freed slave who rose up against the French owning slaves. Students will be interested in the different characteristics that made this man a leader in a time where African Americans were seen as lesser people. It is important to include as much diversity in lessons as possible so students can feel connected to history. Marie-Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette - Lafayette is important to include on this list because he was a Frenchmen who was in love with the idea of America and sailed from France to assist in the revolution. It’s important for students to know this figure because it shows that a person can support a cause by believing in their idealism rather than personal game. Core Texts: [|__Napoleon’s Letter to Louverture -__] This letter shows that even after a decision has been made, there are still people will come back and challenge the choice. In this case, Napoleon is telling Louverture that he is sending another army to retake Louverture’s land and his people’s independence. I think that this can relate to today’s students by having them think about the implications of revolution, the good and the bad. [|__Declaration of Independence__] - What is considered one of the most important documents of the American nation, the interpretations are still being argued today. Considering the words being said in the first few lines about everyone being equal and the treatment of those who were not white men who owned land, there is an interesting disconnect that students can debate in the classroom today. [|__Lafayette to his Wife on his Arrival to America-__] This letter shows the Frenchman's enthusiasm and humanizes him to the students. He was a real person who was ready to defend America and help her win her independence because he believed in her. Student’s can consider the impact of the loyalty that Lafayette paid to America in her beginning years and the decision the continental congress came to during the french revolution and murder of King Louis. Condensed Write-ups

Theme 2: Governments and its Role in Everyday Life- This is important to students because we have recurring arguments that are happening today that took place in the forming of our nation. It is important to see where these beliefs began so students can begin to form their own opinions about the political going ons of the present. Another important thing that students should consider during this theme are the people who are trying or have government influence and what the actions in their personal life Essential or Highlighted Individuals: Alexander Hamilton- Treasury Secretary made headlines multiple times for his volatile personality and outlandish ideas about how the government should work. Thomas Jefferson- Secretary of State’s beef with Hamilton was well known during this time era. It would be interesting to compare these two men’s view on politics and see which political parties they most likely fit. Donald Trump- As a connection to the present, discussing this presidential candidate would be beneficial to students by outlining Trump’s stance on different issues. It would also be an interesting activity to see which of the original political parties that students would determine Trump to be a part of. Core Texts: [|__Rip Van Winkle-__] This short story shows how the change in government didn’t affect a man’s way of life as he sleeps through a revolution. [|__Reynolds Pamphlet-__] This is a pamphlet where Hamilton explicitly discloses the events of his affair effectively terminating himself from ever becoming a candidate for presidency. [|__Thomas Jefferson’s Letter to James Madison-__] This was a letter that Thomas Jefferson wrote to his fellow Republican encouraging the other man to tear Hamilton’s ideals apart. It’s interesting to see that political animosity is not just occurring in current presidential candidates, it happened quite often in the past.

Theme 3: Annihilation and Alienation- America has a long history of alienating its native people and ostracizing its immigrants despite the fact that Native Americans were here first and the country was founded by immigrants. Essential or Highlighted Individuals Franklin D. Roosevelt- Sign the Executive Order 9066 placing all Japanese Americans in internment camps. Anne Frank- First hand account of being an adolescent while being prosecuted for religious beliefs during World War Two. Eli Weisel - A first hand account of being imprisoned and persecuted for religious beliefs during World War Two. There should be interviews and articles about this author seeing as he passed away very recently. Core Texts: [|__The Confessions of a Part Time Indian__] - This is a young adult novel that concerns a Native American teenager who goes to an all white high school. [|__Toyojiro Suzuki papers__] - This is a first hand account of an “interned” citizen in Fort Lincoln, Internment Camp. It would be interesting to see compare this experience with Anne Frank and Eli Weisel. [|__Night-__] A book written by Eli Weisel about his experience during the holocaust. This personal account of loss and horrors of human cruelty is sure to spark discussion among students.

Theme 4: Economy and America- It is important to note the leaps and bounds that our country has made from the creation of its financial system. We have traded our agricultural roots for an industrial society that has once again changed. Understanding our roots and how we changed as a society is important in understanding our economy today. Essential or Highlighted Individuals James Watt- Inventor of the Steam Engine, is responsible for the change in the speed of delivery and need for railroad which resulted in need for jobs. Henry Ford- Invented the assembly line and created the Model T. He was the first example of mass production via assembly line. Alexander Hamilton- Created the financial system from scratch, one of the founders of the American economy. Core Texts: [|__Superman-__] The origins of this comic come from the great depression from people’s need for cheap and available entertainment. [|__Out of the Dust-__] A novel about the dust bowl, an event that happened after the over farming of land that created a deadly weather consequence. Written in first person and can give students a personal account of living in such dangerous times. [|__Letter from Thomas Edison to Henry Ford-__] It is important to be able to place people in history, it’s hard to believe that Thomas Edison and Henry Ford were alive at the same time and in correspondence with each other.

Theme 5: The States and Slavery- The history of states and their stance on slaves is important when tracing the reactions to creating a union and the disagreements that emerged various times throughout the creation of our nation and continued issues that are occurring today. Essential or Highlighted Individuals: Malcolm X- He is an interesting individual because of the way he went about trying to receive equality for his people. Martin Luther King Junior- The go to individual when talking about the Civil Rights movement. Contrasting MLK and Malcolm X would be an interesting assignment for students to complete and realize that even when people believe in a similar ideal, the path to get there will vary. George Washington- I like George Washington a lot, but history has dressed him up as the infallible individual and that is very untrue. While he did free his slaves in 1799, he could have done much more while he was in office. Core Texts: [|__Letter From Birmingham Jail:__] This is a good primary source document written by MLK while he was imprisoned unjustly. [|__Jefferson’s Notes on Slavery:__] The thoughts about slaves and Jefferson’s suggestions on how to end slavery are very different and problematic. [|__John Laurens' Black Regiment Proposal:__] John Laurens was the son of a South Carolina plantation owner. During the revolutionary war, Laurens sent letters to his father asking for his inheritance to be in the form of forty male slaves to start a regiment of his own. The men who would have volunteered for the war would have been guaranteed their freedom.

Theme 6: America and Foreign Affairs- America has always been involved in foreign affairs since the day it originally broke away from England. With wars and trade, foreign affairs are a constant occurrence in today’s society. Essential or Highlighted Individuals Nixon: President Nixon was the first to visit communist China. The implications of this visit and its effect on the American people is important. Roosevelt: President Roosevelt built the panama canal. Stalin: Was the leader of the Soviet Union and had an interesting affair with Churchill and Nixon. Core Text: [|__Washington’s Farewell Address:__] This farewell address is important because it reveals Washington’s beliefs on foreign policy. [|__Zimmermann Telegram:__] The telegram that was deciphered between German Minister to the Mexican German minister urging them to join the war. [|__George Hewes__] : A first hand account of the Boston Tea Party event.