1776-1877 Gender Equality Continuity and Change Over Time Year Long Theme

Description: This is a yearlong United States History activity/thematic unit that requires the students to practice and perfect the following Historical Thinking Skills: Analyzing Evidence, Argumentation, Reaching Conclusions, and Identifying/Describing Continuity and Change Over time. The primary Historical Thinking Skills the students will practice in Continuity and Change Over time while the other skills are secondary.

The content and major theme that serves as a vehicle for practicing these skills is Gender Equality, specifically examining how women’s social, economic, and political rights have changed over time. This series of lessons starts in 1776 and ends in 1877. The lessons are organized chronologically. In most lessons, students blend secondary and primary sources to understand the changing definition of equality. Most lessons take 1-3 days. These lessons comprise a Power PowerPoint/Slides to provide historical context, a note-taking guide accompanying the PowerPoint/Slides, a Primary Source activity, and a Continuity and Change Graphic Organizer. There are Seven Total Lessons. These lessons should be taught during the corresponding periods/eras of American History.

Directions:

Step 1: When starting a lesson use the PowerPoint and Note-Taking guide to front-load the students with the appropriate information and historical context so the students can understand the limits of equality during that particular era. Students should use the accompanying note-taking guide to help them retain the information.

Step 2: (When Applicable) Students should complete the primary source evaluation. This can be done individually or in groups depending on the ability level of the class. The first few should be scaffolded to help the students understand the importance of accurately and critically evaluating a source.

Step 3: Continuity and Change Activity, this should be done in groups the first few times. Emphasize the use of evidence in all sections. This section is also a great review of past units