This six lesson plan addresses American diversity and culture over 15-30 minute sessions. It discusses how the US accepts diversity as a strength from its history as a nation of immigrants. Key historical figures and events that advanced abolition are presented through a Prezi, including William Garrison, Dred Scott, Harriet Beecher Stowe, and Fredrick Douglas. A wiki explores the Declaration of Independence through videos on its history and significance. A PowerPoint timeline traces events from colonial unrest to the American Revolution. The Preamble and Bill of Rights are also examined through presentations to help students understand how the multicultural voice of America is expressed in its founding documents. The objective is to explore diversity's importance in American culture through linking it to history
1. 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.
2. 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:
