Melissa+O'Connor+Assignment+4

__Events__ 1. September 11 & current events-Beginning the year off by talking about September 11 is a great way to introduce students to current events. The intent is to show them that history is occurring every day and they are witnesses to it. September 11 will educate them on some of the large issues that are currently occurring, and that they’ll be researching about during current event assignments.

2. Primary vs. Secondary Sources- In order to study history it is important that students can decipher between primary and secondary sources. We will be using a combination of both types of documents throughout the year.

3. Geography of US- Understanding the geography of the United States will help students to better understand the agricultural and economic aspects of the country. Geography is important because it can tell us a lot about where people settle and why.

4. NC Geography- Looking specifically at NC Geography will give students a clearer understanding about the development of the state.

5. Reading Maps- A large part of understanding history depends on being able to read maps. This goes along with knowledge of physical geography. Maps have played important roles throughout history, and will also be used as primary documents.

6. Pre-Colonialism & Native Americans- Interactions with Native Americans play a key role in the development of NC as a colony, and later as a state. It is important for students to know that there were people in the New World when settler arrived, and that these people faced many injustices upon the arrival of the new settlers.

7. Early Exploration (including mercantilism)- This is important because it will describe the reasons for the voyage to the New World. Politics will come into play as students learn about the desire to expand European kingdoms, and the role of religious persecution.

8. Lost Colony- Learning about the Lost Colony will teach students about the interconnectedness of the world. The Lost Colony was affected not only by the circumstances settlers faced in the New World, but also with the political situations in England and Spain. It also shows students the process in recovering history, since the mystery has yet to be solved.

9. The 13 colonies- Colonialism is important because it deals with the birth of our nation. The struggles faced by the colonists and their desire to break away from England. The campaign, “Taxation without Representation” will be covered, as well as the fact that NC was one of the original 13 colonies.

10. American Revolution- The war itself, as well as events leading up to the war will be covered. Winning the war marked the birth of the United States as a nation, and a major turning point in history. The Declaration of Independence played a significant role in this, and will be studied as one of the primary documents.

11. United States Constitution & Bill of Rights- Our country is governed by these documents today. Students will explore the reasons why it was necessary to create such documents, and how they affect our rights as citizens.

12. Moore’s Creek Bridge- This was a battle fought in Wilmington, North Carolina. Learning about the Patriots victory over the Loyalist will help students understand the tensions present in the U.S. prior to the Revolution.

13.Civil War- The Civil War drastically affected our country, and helped to develop the nation. Topics such as succession and sectionalism will be covered under the Civil War. Students will benefit from learning about this because it is important to understand the conflict within the country, and the solutions that came about as a result of the war.

14.Salem Witch Trials- This is an engaging topic for students to learn about. Understanding the Salem Witch Trials in the context of the lives of colonists will teach students many aspects of colonial life. Students will benefit from learning about this because it will help them understand the beliefs, challenges and tensions faced by colonists.

15.Pearl Harbor-This is important to teach because it was the first time that the country was attacked on American soil. This event marks the decision for the U.S. to enter the Second World War. (One of the historical figures covered under this topic will be Dorie Miller.) Students will benefit from learning about this because it will help them to understand America’s decision to enter WW2.

16.Roaring 20’s and Prohibition-This time in history is also referred to as the Jazz Age. There were great social, racial and moral tensions during this time. immigration was also a big topic of discussion. Students will benefit from learning about the change in American culture during this time in history.

17. Trail of Tears- Innocent Native Americans were pushed off their land and sent westward when Gold was discovered on their land. Students will benefit from learning about this because the truth about the mistreatment of Native Americans in our country will be revealed.

18. Slavery- While this may be a tough subject to teach, it is absolutely necessary that students become aware of the atrocities committed against African Americans in our countries history. Students will benefit from learning this because it will show them that our country, too, has committed indecencies against races and will lay down the foundation for teaching the Civil Right Movement. 19. Underground Railroad-It is important to teach about the Underground Railroad because it represents people standing up against a great injustice against humanity. Students will benefit from learning about this because it deals with themes of the bystander, and will hopefully encourage them to speak out against bullying and other unfair treatments that they will encounter in their lives.

20. Reconstruction- Under this topic we will focus on the three Reconstruction Era Amendments, numbers XIII, XIV, and XV. Students will benefit from learning about this because it shows the legal outcome of the war, and also represents the struggle that freedmen still faced.

21. Harlem Renaissance- This is important to teach because it was the rebirth for the African American community. It was a time of cultural revival that offered hope from many blacks who had only experienced oppression until this point. Under this topic we will also discuss the Northern Migration. Students will learn about this through studying African American literature and art to better understand the culture of this time.

22.World War I- This war represents the interconnectedness of the world. It shows students that your actions do not go unnoticed, and affect those around you. It is also representative of the technological advancements being made. Students will benefit in learning about WWI because it will help them to understand the conflict surrounding the war, and the consequences it posed for our economy, foreign affairs, and national security.

23. Kitty Hawk & Wright Brothers- This is so relevant to a NC History course. Students will learn about this historic landmark, and the invention created by the Wright Brothers. Kitty Hawk and the Wright Brothers are representative of North Carolina history and culture. Every day students see NC license plates with the illustration of the airplane, and they will benefit from learning about the affects of this invention on our state and country.

24. Agriculture- Agriculture is very important in North Carolina. We will learn, specifically, about the tobacco plant and the role it has played in our economy. Students will benefit from learning about agriculture in NC because crash crops have played significant roles in the economy and land grant institutions.

25. Biltmore Estate- This landmark is important to NC’s culture and represents industrialization in the state. We will learn about the architecture and the Vanderbilt family. In addition, students will benefit from learning about the geographic location of the Biltmore Estate.

26. Queen Anne’s Revenge and Blackbeard- This is a really engaging topic for students! They will learn about Blackbeard and why he named his ship Queen Anne’s Revenge. They will also learn about the town, Bath, where Blackbeard lived. Students will benefit from learning about this because its remains are located off the coast of NC, and it represents the political ties with Europe.

27. Civics- This will include learning about the branches of government, and not only our country’s government, but the state and local government as well. Students will benefit from learning about civics because it will clarify for them the ways in which our political system operates.

28. Civil Rights- Learning about the Civil Rights Movement will help students to learn about the aftermath of the Reconstruction Era, and the struggle African Americans faced well into the twenty first century. Students will benefit from learning about this because it shows the struggles African Americans faced and the obstacles they had to overcome in order to gain their rights.

29. Women’s Suffrage- Women did not always have the right to vote, and this can be linked to the colonists cry for no taxation without representation. Students will benefit from learning about this because it deals with an issue than many women around the world are still facing today.

30. Sit-Ins- As part of the Civil Rights Movement, students will learn about the Sit-In Movements. They will learn about how the Greensboro Four were an inspiration to many college-aged students who began to participate in similar movements across the country. Students will benefit from learning about this because it shows the persistence of African American youths to gain equal rights.

31. Economics- Econimics will be entertwined throughout many other topics in our NC History class. Students will benefit from learning about economics because it is something they are confronted with on a daily basis. It is important for them to learn about the economy and how it directly affects their own lives, even as students.

32. Establishing Raleigh as the Capital City of NC- Many students will already know that Raleigh is the capital of our state. Will they know, though, how Raleigh received its name, or why it is located in the Piedmont? Students will benefit from learning about this because it will help them connect out states history, with the present.

33. The Battle of Bentonville- This was the bloodiest battle ever fought in North Carolina. It was also the battle in which Johnston surrendered to Sherman. Students will benefit from learning about the Battle of Bentonville because it will help them to understand why NC entered into the war.

34. Industries in NC- The Rip Van Winkle state awoke with the introduction of the textile and furniture industries. This was also a time in which children became factory workers. Learning about the industries of NC will benefit students because they will learn about the economic and social changes that were made as an effect.

35. The Cold War- The lives of countless Americans were affected by this war, as well as many outside of our own country. The tensions that existed throughout this was are important for students to know and understand, because it had a profound impact on foreign affairs and the economy.

36. World War II- References to WWII are made on a daily basis due to its impact on the world, and the lives of nearly everyone living during the war. Students will benefit from learning about this because it will arise questions in them about dictatorships and atrocities against massive groups of people. They will be able to make connections to WWII and the Holocaust, to events occurring around the world today.

37. Missouri Compromise- This was a political tactic to deal with the balance between the slave owning states and free states. It is important for students to understand its implications for the lives of the slaves, and for the political affects it had on the country.

38. The Great Depression- Learning about the Great Depression will prepare students for when the U.S. entered the Second World War. It will help them to understand the devastated economy not only in NC and the US, but in Germany as well. It will help them to understand Hitler’s rise to power. Students will benefit from learning about the Great Depression due to its affect on the global economy, and to learn about the stock market.

39. Space Race- The concept of space exploration will be very appealing to students. It can be compared to the voyage to the New World and England’s desire to expand their kingdom. Students will benefit from learning about this because it explains the tensions between the Soviet Union and the United States, as well as technological advances.

40. Education in NC- It is important for students to learn about the education system in their state, and the changes it has gone through. Everything from one room school houses, to //Brown vs. The Board of Ed.// will be covered in this section. Students will benefit from learning about the education system in NC because it is directly related to them, and represents the every changing world in which we live.

__People__

1. Nathaniel Batts- He was the first ever recorded settler in North Carolina. He operated a fur trading post in the state and was the owner of the earliest known house in North Carolina. Students would benefit from learning about his life because it would give great insight into how the state was settled.

2. Abraham Lincoln- Lincoln made great strides in abolishing slavery in this country. In addition he had huge impacts on the economy and strengthening the government. His assassination tells us a lot about the social tensions during his presidency. Students should learn about Abraham Lincoln because he was one of the greatest Presidents of this country.

3. Andrew Johnson- He assumed office after President Lincoln’s assassination. He favored states’ rights and helped to restore the South to the Union. He is also from NC, which is fitting to a NC History course. Students will benefit from learning about President Johnson’s role in our history and the government.

4. Martin Luther King Jr.- Every single student should know about Martin Luther King Jr. and his role in the Civil Rights Movement. Students should know about his participation in the March on Washington and his talents as a public speaker. He represents standing up for what you believe in! Students will benefit from learning about his nonviolent approach to fighting for the rights of colored citizens in our country.

5. Barack Obama- The election of the United States first African American president was a huge moment for our country. It represented a true change in our country, but has also showed us that not every American has been able to easily accept this change. Students will benefit from learning about Obama because of the social change he represents, and for his current role in the government.

6. Ulysses S. Grant- It is important that students recognize Ulysses S. Grant’s role in leading the Union to victory during the Civil War. Students will benefit from learning about him because of his important role as general and the 18th President of our country.

7. Sir. Walter Raleigh- Students should definitely know about the man whom our capital city is named after. Students will benefit from learning about him due to his role in colonialism and encouragement of settling NC.

8. Harriet Jacobs- She is a North Carolina native, who escaped slavery and became an abolitionist speaker in the North. Students will benefit from learning about her because she was a strong African American woman who fought for the freedom of slaves in the south.

9. Franklin D. Roosevelt- He was the president of this nation during a time of global economic depression and world war. He created the New Deal to help with recovery from the war. Students will benefit from learning about FDR because of his role as president and in guiding American through the war and its aftermath.

10. Ronald Reagan- Ronal Reagan played a huge role in the economy during his presidency. Students will benefit from learning about him because he helped to restore prosperity in our county, and create a time of peace.