Seeds of History

Hour 3

About the project:

On the TV show Chopped, contestants must overcome the obstacles they face- time, pressure and the four mystery ingredients in their baskets. They bring with them experience, talents and access to tools and a pantry of ingredients.

We envisioned our 8 characters from history as Chopped contestants to understand their challenges and opportunities.

Who needed a Revolution before the Civil War?

In this unit we learned that the challenges faced America before the Civil War were complex.

Americans were united by some common values.

Although Americans lived under the same representative democracy, not all Americans were protected by the Bill of Rights or had equal opportunities.

What we learned about collaborating from this project:

Our answers are better when we hear other perspectives. We also learned that working with a partner on a project is almost impossible if your partner doesn't contribute to the project.

Kaiden Anderson-Saidler - 1850s Chopped Template

William helps us understand the over half a million Irish immigrants who came to America in the 1840s.

Things didn’t turn out the way the hoped and he helps us understand how they persevered

Copy of Keegan Kowalke - 1850s Chopped Template

Men like Nathan Appleton are part of history because they were successful. Because of them we see that we can achieve what we put our mind to. An example was Nathan Appleton ran a store at the age of 19. Then, as he got older he owned a mill, and ended up to be a very wealthy man.

Isabella Losee - 1850s Chopped Template

He did what he wanted to do and eventually became successful and wealthy.

Nicholas Mejia - 1850s Chopped Template

Her job was really not that hard all she had to do was changes the bobbins on the spinning frames every three quarters of an hour with half a dozen of other little girls who were doing the same thing.

Jacob Mlot and Kallie LaPointe - 1850s Chopped Template

Angelina Grimke is important in history because she and her sister taught slaves how to read despite their parents against. She also joined and formed lots of antislavery meetings. She did this because when she was young she witnessed lots of slaves being whipped and punished. She wanted her parents to stop using slaves.

Josiah Ornelas - 1850s Chopped Template

He wrote a book when he was kidnapped and put into slavery for the 12 years he was in it.
He was a top seller and aided the abolitionist cause.

Nolan Wozniak - 1850s Chopped Template

Jane Bushyhead is a survivor of the forced Cherokee removal.

Tessa Hryniewicki - 1850s Chopped Template

Caroline helps us understand the millions of enslaved people whose stories we will never know.

She had hopes and dreams like anyone else. She was brave enough to claim her own freedom by running away.

If one of the historical characters is missing from this hour, please go to another hour.

About our class:

These character profiles were created by 8th grade student historians at Greendale Middle School. Working both independently and collaborating through Google Meet sessions.

Our big idea was: Who wanted a revolution for equality in 1850? and What obstacles and opportunities stood between them and equality?

My Students:

Showed curiosity about the 1850s, the antebellum era. They asked what life was like and found some general answers. This is inquiry.
They asked research questions and used quality primary and secondary sources to investigate.
They compared their findings with their team members and asked new questions. This is corroboration.
They looked closely at the foundations of democracy and interrogated the Constitution, Bill of Rights and Representative Democracy, etc. They asked - Did my historical person have full access to democracy in 1850?
Finally, on their own they interpreted what it means to need a revolution, or complete change, in order to achieve your American Dream. They thought critically and creatively to create these presentations together.