Chelsea+Bowman+SSPP

Chelsea Bowman

- Each big idea and key individual should be two sentences that includes a brief rationale for your selection.One sentence will focus on why as a teacher you think this topic is important. Your second sentence should focus on the implications for student learning (i.e. what are the benefits for students in learning about this topic?).

Top 40 Big Ideas:

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 * 1)  Thirteen Original Colonies- Students need to know what original colonies started the foundation of America. Since North Carolina is one of the original thirteen this will give them an understanding of where they are and give them a sense of pride.
 * 1)  Louisiana Purchase- Students will be able to see how Thomas Jefferson made one of the biggest and first negotiations with France. They can see how debt impacts a country and how we actually helped France with their debt.
 * 1)  First Thanksgiving- This is important for students to learn because it is such an important holiday for our country. In primary school Thanksgiving is down played and students will finally be able to understand why they celebrate Thanksgiving and what the Indians and Pilgrims actually went through to have the first Thanksgiving.
 * 1)  Salem Witch Trials- The Salem Witch Trials is overlooked in terms of curriculum. For people to lynch people for allegedly practicing witchcraft is absurd. Students need to see how communities fought from within and how they overcame these times.
 * 1)  Declaration of Independence- This topic is important because this is an important document proving this nation's independence from other countries. Students need to see that their country had to go through a lot of debate and understand to come to an agreement.
 * 1)  The Boston Tea Party- This is one of the major events that led to the Revolutionary War. Students need to see what happened in order for a major war to break out.
 * 1)  The American Revolution- This was the war that shaped our country. Students will be able to understand how fights occurred on their own soil, not just towards another country.
 * 1)  Emancipation Proclamation- One of the most important proclamations to our country, freeing all slaves. The students need to know that President Abraham Lincoln freed slaves, which ultimately caused a lot of issues down the road.
 * 1)  Slavery- The most horrific parts about our country. We can not let this issue slide by our students. African Americans were not treated with respect for being human beings and we need to show our students that something like this can’t happen even in the slightest of ways. Racism still exists today so hopefully this will show them that change had to happen and still needs to happen.
 * 1)  The Civil War- This was a very important war based on slavery issues and economic differences. The students need to see that there was a division between the north and the south in terms of slavery being right and wrong.
 * 1)  Reconstruction- This is important to the way America was changed after the Civil War. Students need to see how our country made decisions and how it affected them during the time and how it affects us today.
 * 1)  Vietnam War- This was an extremely brutal war especially since it was not on our soil. The students need to see how the United States supported South Vietnam and how terrible soldiers treated civilians during this war.
 * 1)  Pearl Harbor- This was the first attack on an American soil. Students need to see that this was a terrorist attack but not to civilians. The naval base took an extremely traumatizing hit to which ultimately changed how we work with other countries.
 * 1)  The Great Depression- This is such a huge economic crisis that impacted Americans lives that were living well beyond their means. The students need to see that this stock market crash lasted for ten years and can happen to us again today if we do not take our economic stability seriously.
 * 1)  The Roaring Twenties- Many Americans were living the life of luxury that soon came crashing down. This can be easily tied in with the Great Depression because in 1929 it led to years of hardships. Students can see how these two times changed everyone all around the United States. They will also see who it impacted the most.
 * 1)  The New Deal- FDR set this in place to save the nation from the Great Depression. Students can see how this was a breakthrough for our government.
 * 1)  Watergate Scandal- This still puzzles me today because there are many different stories that people tell about this scandal. Richard Nixon made some very bad decisions that led to his demise in presidency. Students will be able to see that not all Presidents make good decisions and what this did to our country and his term as a president. A great way to introduce the topic of resignation and impeachment.
 * 1)  World War I- First world war that the United States participated in. Many American soldier casualties occurred because of our involvement. Also some major technological advances happened during this time. Students need to see what allies are and who they were during this time. This war also shows what countries still have problems with us today.
 * 1)  World War II- This is so important to teach because there is so much depth to what happened that many people still don’t know or understand today. Students can see how so many peoples live were taken from not only battle but imprisonment, torture, and starvation. Race discrimination is something that definitely needs to be taught to our students.
 * 1)  Sectionalism- This is so important to understand because it shows the division between the north and south. Students need to see how loyalty began and what made up the north and south in terms of division.
 * 1)  Civil Rights Act- This may be a small idea but it did try to protect all people in the United States.We all have rights and freedoms the we deserve. Students can connect this with slavery, emancipation proclamation, and freedom.
 * 1)  Suffrage- Women not being able to vote was detrimental to the division between a man and a woman. Students need to see what women went through and how they were not given a voice or chance to vote until 1920.
 * 1)  Prohibition- This is not only about not selling alcohol but it also affected the economy and crime of the United States. Some might say that eighth graders don’t need to know anything about alcohol but they know what it is. With this topic students can see that failed because of bootleggers and organized crime. Can also see how this ended parallel to when the roaring twenties came to an end.
 * 1)  September 11- This happened so recently that it would be a bad decision for teachers to pass on by this event. This shocked our nation because so many civilians and police/firefighters lost their lives trying to save complete strangers. This event showed our patriotism for the United States. Students can see how this event happened and what happened as a percussion because of our technological advances in media.
 * 1)  Industrialization-This sparked so many advances and opportunities for our country. The advances in the country not only changed our economy, led to a free market, but ended up changing everything. The way we trade, fight, and run changed once we industrialized. Students can see this change and place it to certain events that happened in the United States.
 * 1)  Trail of Tears- This led Native Americans to move from what was originally theirs. The removal of tribes devastated Native Americans and led to many deaths due to starvation. Students need to see that even though this happened many years ago, treating people of different races negatively will never be ok. Our country may be the land of free, but how did we get here? A good question to ask!
 * 1)  Challenger Explosion- What a devastating event that happened on live television. I chose this because even though it is one event that took place it needs to be talked about. Space exploration is a very interesting topic that students will be interested in. Students can see why it is important to go to outer space and what is does to benefit us here on earth.
 * 1)  Space Race- This ties in with NASA and how the Soviet Union changed history when they beat the United States in who got to outer space first. Many people placed the blame on teachers in America for this defeat. Students can see how this not only made America step up their game but also how it changed education and its focus in America.
 * 1)  Brown vs. Board of Education- What an important decisions paced by the Supreme Court that allowed white and blacks to go to the same schools and have the same opportunities. This ties in with other events because it declared segregation and separate but equal unlawful. Students need to see what led to this decision.
 * 1)  Greensboro Sit In- This happened on North Carolina ground. Students decided to take a stand for what they believed in. They knew they were being treated unfairly and decided to act on this. Students need to see this bravery and how they may have been treated bad for this, they are the ones to be remembered for their bravery.
 * 1)  Bill of Rights- As citizens we have rights. Students need to see what these rights are and how they are granted to us by the Constitution.
 * 1)  Cold War- This war lasted for a really long time and it shows the political and military tension between powers in the West. Another war that students need to be familiar with because it lasted so long and wasn’t exactly direct battles, it was mainly a competition between the Us and the Soviet Union.
 * 1)  Containment- Communism is one of the reasons that the Cold War even started. Communism is still a threat to the US and still fought and debated overseas.
 * 1)  Government Branches- To be a good citizen one should know the three branches of government and what they do. If students do not know what the branches are and what they can do for them, then they aren’t being responsible citizens.
 * 1)  Manhattan Project- Atomic weapons are such a big deal in warfare. For the United States to create the first one was such a breakthrough. Protecting citizens from attacks is what Atomic bombs can do. The students can see how this project ultimately led to the US ending World War II.
 * 1)  The Spanish-American War- I feel that many people overlook this war when it was actually a big deal. Students need to see how our intervention led to us gaining control of several islands that become our possession.
 * 1)  The Oklahoma City Bombing- An inside terrorist attack is such a big deal in our history. When we feel like we are in a time of peace, something like this happens. So many innocent people lost their lives one day because two males decided to create a bomb. Students need to see how not only can other countries to damage to us but we can do it from within as well.
 * 1)  Korean War- My eighth grade science teacher actually fought in this war and it was a very hard subject for him to talk about, I will never forget seeing him in the Korean War Veterans Memorial. I knew from that moment that even though the war was deemed “forgotten”, how could we forget it. Students can see how we aided South Korea with 88% of the international forces there.
 * 1)  Geography of North Carolina- The three regions that make up North Carolina provide our state with multiple cultures, climates, and opportunities. Students need to understand what region they are in and what the other two have to offer.
 * 1)  Geography of United States- The United States is very lucky in terms that it has different regions across the country. The students need to know why different things happen in different places across the country and when we talk about certain wars, they will understand what I am talking about in terms of states and their specific battles.

Top 10 Individuals: > > > > > > > > > >
 * 1)  John F. Kennedy- The 35th president definitely left this country with a legacy. He not only made good decisions in the Cuban Missile Crisis, but he also left us with a wonderful organization called the Peace Corps. He stood for service and wanted Americans to have the ability to go abroad to spread peace, learn about other cultures, and help them where needed. This president was loved by the majority but unfortunately lost his life to an assassin. Students need to see what this president did for our country and how his policies and programs are still effective today.
 * 1)  Abraham Lincoln- One of my favorite presidents to study. Abraham Lincoln made such beneficial movements for our country. He was against slavery and I am sure students today would appreciate this especially because he was a white male. I think it is important for students to see how some of the most important and influential presidents were assassinated. We still haven't come a long way because threats against presidents happen all the time.
 * 1)  Richard Nixon- What a great person to introduce for scandals. This president shocked everyone when we was accused for partaking in the Watergate Scandal. Students will be able to see a president's downfall due to his participation in a break in. Students need to see a political corruption that took place not too long ago. Nixon made a lot of American citizens lose trust in political figures such as their president.
 * 1)  Wright Brothers- The Wright Brothers got us off the ground. What a great way to start off a unit or a year talking about the first flight and what the Wright Brothers did for exploration. Students can see that these guys were from North Carolina which is pretty cool and shows that we are most historic than they probably think.
 * 1)  Franklin D. Roosevelt- Such an influential president that created the New Deal and had visions for economically fixing the country. He is known for some of the best speeches that I think students would appreciate; especially the speech where he addressed fear. Students need to learn about this president because he dominated the political scene even after his presidency. He might even be in the top three ranked presidents we ever had.
 * 1)  Barack Obama- What a turning point for our country. The first black president finally showed progress to the world. Even though there are so many instances of racism and hate towards our president, I think it is beneficial for students to know their current president and what he has overcome in his presidency and what he still has to come.
 * 1)  John Adams- This man is an influential leader that made the American Revolution possible. He was so devoted to the basis of republicanism and he made it be successful. When learning about the Revolutionary war students will be able to see a strong leader and everything he did for his country.
 * 1)  Martin Luther King Jr.- A civil rights leader and activist had a dream that fueled him for change. Dr. King wanted change and wanted his children to be able to mingle with white children without hatred. He is still remembered today because of his dream and students need to know why he is celebrated and what he stood for, because he did make a difference.
 * 1)  Ulysses S. Grant- Not only a president but also the general that Abraham Lincoln needed when fighting during the Civil War. He was a poor president, but he was the general Lincoln wanted. Lincoln made him lieutenant of all of the Union Army during the Civil War and he defeated Robert E. Lee. Students need to see how he was not only a political leader but also an army leader.
 * 1)  George Washington- This man not only defeated a King and made the United State possible but he also declined to become a King. He founded this country and students need to know that him and the founding fathers were responsible for the United States and the revolution.