8 Social Studies Topics for Students by

Crash Course: Reconstruction

cory_wilkins268 — 2024-07-03 19:10:12 UTC

This video gives an entertaining overview of the Reconstruction Era (1865-1877) in American History. It covers topics such as economics, law, politics, and history. Additionally, there is plenty of room for discussion of the topics within this video thanks to the focus on diverse perspectives of the changes occurring during this time period.

Discussion Questions:

1) What do you think of Lincoln's, Johnson's, and Congress's (Radical Republican's) plans for Reconstruction?

2) If you were a previously enslaved African American, which plan would you want? Why?

3) If you were a poor, white, indentured servant, which plan would you want? Why?

4) Should society today do more to provide legal and economic equality and equity for people of color? Why or why not?

"Ashes of Roses" Audiobook

cory_wilkins268 — 2024-07-03 19:25:42 UTC

This YouTube channel features a collection of recordings of the "Ashes of Roses" Audiobook. "Ashes of Roses," by M.J. Auch, is a Young Adult novel about Irish immigrants arriving at Ellis Island, NYC, during the early 1900s, in hopes for a bright future. However, they are instead met with disease, homelessness, racism, poor working conditions, and classism, alongside the other opportunities they might now have.

Discussion Questions:

1) Have you ever been exposed to similar stories and/or rumors about American wealth and opportunities like Rose had heard? Are these stories dangerous in any way?

2) Has this novel changed your perspective of immigration

at all, and if so, how?

3) Would you feel safe working in the sweatshop that Rose worked in? Should something be done about these workplaces? If so, what should happen?

4) What is a union? Would you like to join one? Why?

U.S. Imperialism Explained

cory_wilkins268 — 2024-07-03 19:40:29 UTC

This video provides a decent explanation as to why America increased its imperialism in the late 19th through the early 20th centuries and became an overseas empire. The speaker is clear about the sources of inspiration for this expansion, as well as the geopolitical, economic, and cultural reasons for the expansion.

Discussion Questions:

1) Why did American leaders decide to expand across the Pacific? What were they hoping to find/secure?

2) Have you ever heard America be called an empire before? What does this word mean to you?

3) Can you think of any other examples of American Imperialism that may have happened before 1860 or after 1910? What makes these examples imperialism?

The Story of the Overthrow of Hawaii

cory_wilkins268 — 2024-07-03 19:41:51 UTC

This video provides another perspective of the annexation of Hawaii by U.S. business owners, missionaries, and military, notably the perspective of the last native Monarch(s) of Hawaii. By including this other perspective in our discussion of imperialism, students will be challenged to rethink what U.S. imperialism looks like, as well as the pros and cons of it.

Discussion Questions:

1) Has learning about the Hawaiin perspective of American Imperialism changed your views of the U.S economy, government, or imperialism? If so, how?

2) If you were a Native Hawaiian, how might you feel about the American Empire?

"War Horse," Audiobook

cory_wilkins268 — 2024-07-03 20:55:49 UTC

"War Horse," by Michael Morpurgo, follows the story of Joey, a British horse that ends up being enlisted in World War One. This book was also adapted into a movie, so students have the opportunity to listen to the audiobook as well as watch the film. This film is played in class around the time of Christmas Break, so if students read/listen to this source, they will get more insight from the film.

1) How does this book contrast nature and society? Do you agree with this interpretation? Why or why not?

2) Was it right to use horses in war? Why or why not?

Crash Course: The Roaring 20s

cory_wilkins268 — 2024-07-03 21:10:01 UTC

Another entertaining video by Crash Course, this video gives a general overview of the 1920s in American History. This video covers the growth of the American economy, media, literature, and social change.

Discussion Questions:

1) The 20s see the roots of consumerism, or excessive purchasing of products as a means of expression, take hold. What were some things that people in the 20s began consuming? What are some things you consume to express yourself?

2) If you were part of the laboring class, would you feel the 1920s were "Roaring?" Why? Does a "roaring" stock market always mean prosperity for Americans?

3) The Narrator of this video makes many distinctions between the perspectives of many groups (Wealthy business-owners, laborers, farmers, white folks, black folks, women, etc.). Why do these distinctions matter?

Poetry from the Harlem Renaissance

cory_wilkins268 — 2024-07-03 21:14:19 UTC

This website hosts a number of poems that emerged from the Harlem Renaissance. Students are encouraged to explore these poems at their leisure. Personal recommendations include anything by Claude McKay and Langston Hughes.

Discussion Questions:

1) Which artist did you like the best? Why?

2) How effectively did the messages in this list of poetry reach you? What made this poetry effective or ineffective for you?

Photographs of the Great Depression by Dorothea Lange

cory_wilkins268 — 2024-07-03 21:33:49 UTC

This editorial is a detailed list of powerful photographs of people who lived during the Great Depression taken by Dorothea Lange. Each photograph has been given a short, written description of its origins by the writers of this article. Students are encouraged to read these descriptions, analyze the photographs, and answer the following discussion questions.

Discussion Questions:

1) What types of people did Dorothea Lange take photographs of? Why?

2) How would you describe the lifestyle of the people in these photographs?

Songs from the Great Depression

cory_wilkins268 — 2024-07-03 21:49:10 UTC

This source is a list of music from the Great Depression. Students can explore at their own leisure.

Discussion Questions:

1) Which was your favorite song? Why?

Seterra by GeoGuessr: Geography Games

cory_wilkins268 — 2024-07-03 21:58:55 UTC

This site hosts a compiled list of geography games for students to play to become more familiar with global geography. They should scroll down to the "World" section, and play the "World: Continents and Ocean," game, as well as the "30 Most Populous Countries," and "World: Large Countries," games.

1) How difficult were these games for you?

2) Do you feel like you got better at geography? Why or why not?

Hidden Figures Audiobook

cory_wilkins268 — 2024-07-03 22:39:01 UTC

"Hidden Figures," by Margot Lee Shetterly, is a true story about the talented African American women who worked at NASA during the Space Race. This book provides students the opportunity to experience the prejudice of the 1950s and 1960s America, as well as the immense cultural, economic, and geopolitical pressure that existed during the Space Race with the U.S.S.R.

Discussion Questions:

1) Has prejudice ever prevented you from doing something you wanted to do and were capable of doing?

2) Do you think people who have achieved success have a responsibility to help those who are following behind them?

3) Do you think NACA and NASA are important institutions in American History? Why or why not?

MAUS - Graphic Novel by Art Spiegelman

cory_wilkins268 — 2024-07-03 22:43:02 UTC

"MAUS," is a graphic novel that tells the story of the Holocaust. What makes this piece unique is that it is based off of a personal story from a holocaust survivor, and that all of the characters have been made into different animals.

Discussion Questions:

1) What is the significance behind the decision to make the characters into animals in this graphic novel?

2) How does the black and white art style impact the story and your reading experience?

3) If you were alive during this time period, what role would you have likely played? (Not what role you want to play). Rely on your background/culture/heritage to inform your answer.