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The Shaping Role of Place

“connecting  local African American History and Culture to the  American story”
Shaping Role of Place Home |    NEH Curriculum Project

Elizabeth Freeman: A Slave’s Road to Freedom Anne Beattie
1.This unit will examine how a slave with no personal resources successfully changed her station and the course of her life and ultimately many others.
2.The study will incorporate a primary documents approach (Data-Based Query) where students will read for information and use problem-solving techniques and critical thinking skills to formulate their answers.
3.The students will participate in a webquest to search for information. The webquest will include teacher recommended sites as well as a teacher-made webpage comprised of informative quotes pre-selected from appropriate books relating to the topic at this grade level.
4.My educational philosophy is based on the idea that when student interest is piqued, they will anticipate finding their own answers to group and individual questions.
5.This interdisciplinary unit focuses on:
a. the N.Y.S. ELA Curriculum Standards, i.e. the student will read, write, speak, and listen:
for information and understanding (Std.1),
for literary response and expression (Std.2),
for critical analysis and evaluation (Std. 3),
and for social interaction (Std. 4).
b. specifically, ELA standards in reading comprehension and note-taking,
c. technology standards in research on the web and presentation modes (computer art, power point, i-stream movies, etc.),
d. social studies standards including local and American history and economics,
e. in general, the important study skills of research methods, organization, and writing and presenting findings.
6. The evaluative projects are designed to allow students of differing levels to work to their own ability.
NEH Curriculum Project  2
Downloaded from http://www.mcla.edu/aab
7. The multi-disciplinary approach will culminate in more and more student collaboration. The projects are designed to widen the size of the presenting group as they near completion. Students will learn new information from their peers as the scope grows.
8. The topic of Elizabeth Freeman mirrors the grade level focus on “hero,” as seen in other units of study, such as King Arthur, the Greek gods and goddesses, Carlie in The Pinballs, Stanley Yelnats in Holes, etc.
9. The unit reflects my fascination with the Mumbet story and provides a vehicle for me to expand student knowledge of larger historical facts using local connections as a springboard. It will enhance our yearly field trips to the Col. Ashley House. Hannah Ashley’s Claverack, NY connection is of great interest.