Pedagogy

@PhDRachel

Nov 4, 2023

Teaching Manifest Destiny with the Oregon Trail Game

This mini lecture, game, and writing assignment uses the Oregon Trail to teach students about Manifest Destiny and western expansion. We start by talking about Marcus and Narcissa Whitman whose group was the first to include Anglo women and wagons ... (Link)

Nov 26, 2022

Teaching Sojourner Truth's Most Famous Speech

Sojourner Truth was born enslaved in a Dutch community in New York state c.1797 as Isabella Baumfree. She escaped with her infant daughter in 1826. She sued her owner to get her son & was the 1st Black woman to win such a case, which was part of northe... (Link)

Nov 26, 2022

Teaching Secession with Primary Documents

We begin class by going over the 1860 electoral college map, pointing out that Lincoln would have won the electoral college even if he had run against a single candidate instead of three. And as the race was largely Lincoln vs. Douglas in the north and... (Link)

Aug 2, 2022

Prioritizing Historical Events -The Comatose Uncle Exercise

This is a great first or second day assignment that I use in my modern U.S. history survey, which runs from Reconstruction to the present. It helps students understand that more was going on in the periods we are discussing than we could possibly cover... (Link)

Jul 31, 2022

Independence Day Break up Activity

We've all heard that the Declaration was like a breakup letter from the colonies to Great Britain. But what makes a good break up letter? What audiences did the founders have in mind when they wrote theirs? This activity helps students think about the ... (Link)

Jul 31, 2022

Intro to Primary Sources -Boston Massacre Activity

After explaining what primary and secondary sources are, I show students how to read and follow these sources. This means keeping an open mind and allowing the evidence in front of you to guide your conclusions. I give students the following instruct...

Jul 31, 2022

Presidential Campaign Promises

When teaching the 2nd half U.S. history survey, we come all the way to the present. This can prove troubling for students as we cover the good, the bad, and the ugly of politicians they either admire or disdain. To try to help students evaluate presid... (Link)