LEARN NC

K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

Cultural change

http://edsitement.neh.gov/view_lesson_plan.asp?id=283

A lesson plan for Grades 10–12 United States History

Provider: National Endowment for the Humanities

About this resource

Appropriate grades
10–12
Provider
National Endowment for the Humanities

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Political developments leave a clear trace in the life of a nation, usually marked by legislative mileposts like the Fourteenth Amendment, which dictates equal protection for all, and the Nineteenth Amendment, which gave women the right to vote. But such developments have a cultural dimension as well, often evident in the attitudes and assumptions implicit in political arguments.

The goals of this lesson plan are:

  • to examine some of the arguments used to win the vote for American women
  • to explore the cultural dimension of these arguments as reflected in their characterization of men and women
    • to weigh the rhetorical impact these arguments had in their time by writing counter-arguments from several standpoints
  • to think critically about the relationship between political ideas and cultural attitudes

Skills learned:

  • Close textual analysis
  • evaluation of evidence and reasoning
  • development of sound arguments
  • critical thinking
  • Internet research

North Carolina Curriculum Alignment

Social Studies (2003)

Grade 10 — Economics and Civics

  • Goal 2: The learner will analyze how the government established by the United States Constitution embodies the purposes, values, and principles of American democracy.
    • Objective 2.04: Describe how the United States Constitution may be changed and analyze the impact of specific changes.
  • Goal 10: The learner will develop, defend, and evaluate positions on issues regarding the personal responsibilities of citizens in the American constitutional democracy.
    • Objective 10.02: Develop, defend, and evaluate positions on issues regarding diversity in American life.

Grades 11–12 — United States History

  • Goal 2: Expansion and Reform (1801-1850) - The learner will assess the competing forces of expansionism, nationalism, and sectionalism.
    • Objective 2.05: Identify the major reform movements and evaluate their effectiveness.
  • Goal 7: The Progressive Movement in the United States (1890-1914) -The learner will analyze the economic, political, and social reforms of the Progressive Period.
    • Objective 7.02: Analyze how different groups of Americans made economic and political gains in the Progressive Period.

English Language Arts (2004)

Grade 10 — English II

  • Goal 3: The learner will defend argumentative positions on literary or nonliterary issues.
    • Objective 3.01: Examine controversial issues by:
      • sharing and evaluating initial personal response.
      • researching and summarizing printed data.
      • developing a framework in which to discuss the issue (creating a context).
      • compiling personal responses and researched data to organize the argument.
      • presenting data in such forms as a graphic, an essay, a speech, or a video.

Grade 11 — English III

  • Goal 2: The learner will inform an audience by using a variety of media to research and explain insights into language and culture.
    • Objective 2.01: Research ideas, events, and/or movements related to United States culture by:
      - locating facts and details for purposeful elaboration.
      - organizing information to create a structure for purpose, audience, and context.
      - excluding extraneous information.
      -providing accurate documentation.
    • Objective 2.03: Respond to informational texts by:
      - using a variety of strategies for preparation, engagement, and reflection.
      - paraphrasing main ideas and supporting details present in texts.
      -explaining significant connections among the speaker's/author's purpose, tone, biases, and the message for the intended audience.
  • Goal 3: The learner will demonstrate increasing sophistication in defining issues and using argument effectively.
    • Objective 3.02: Select an issue or theme and take a stance on that issue by:
      - reflecting the viewpoint(s) of Americans of different times and places.
      - showing sensitivity or empathy for the culture represented.
      - supporting the argument with specific reasons.