Student spotlight
U.S. History 8, Beginnings to Reconstruction
William Penn’s Treaty with the Indians, 1682
For this assignment, students were instructed to reflect on the historiography of European contact with Native Americans, best exemplified by a series of paintings depicting Penn’s 1682 treaty.
An optional alternative assignment was to reimagine that same event in a new image, and explain that image.
This was one of the best.
Letter from the Underground Railroad
For this assignment, students were to imagine themselves along the Underground Railroad, tying their knowledge of the Railroad’s operation, geographical skills, and creativity in using and developing useful code terminology.
Students could emulate a runaway slave, a prospective stationmaster, or another historically accurate character of their own creation.
These were my favorites, as they showed not just a mastery of the content, but exceptional creativity in depicting life on the run in 1850s America.
American Government 11
Interest Groups
After studying the nature and function of interest groups — and viewing advertisements of selected organizations — students were instructed to imagine their own interest group, and either write a press release or produce a commercial of their own.
“AATCA” by Kasie P. and Emily Z.
“Emphyzebra” by Lacey S. and Kayla B.
“Don’t Be Cruel, Use Alternative Fuel” by Dana E.
“Majestic Tigers” by Katelyn V.
“Guns for Us” by Calen D.