Slide Show
Introduction
With this Unit, we will explore South Hadley's actions and thoughts about abolitionism and the war effort during the Civil War. We will read the letters and speeches given during and about this time period. We will also look at other primary documents to examine the actions of those in South Hadley during this time in history. The bulk of these materials were archived by the wonderful people at the Mount Holyoke archives. Other fantastic document facimilies were received from the South Hadley Historical Society. Forbes Library and Archives also provided me with significant information and some wonderful primary sources. As I build this site, more and more can be found and I hope you will share this with other students and members of the community, to better understand the history of this town.
The Assignment/Lesson Plan for this Unit.
Local History Unit:
South Hadley during the Antebellum and Civil War Periods
Name _____________________________
Big Questions to answer through the research:
1. How much did South Hadley support the war?
2. How abolitionist was South Hadley?
Our Purpose:
1. to explore local primary sources to find evidence to help answer these questions
2. to learn more about our town and its connection to national events
Method: Individual Portfolios
Procedure:
1. Each student receives a folder for a portfolio
2. General introduction to the unit and reminder of difference between primary and
secondary sources.
3. Mead Jigsaw activity: team analysis of a section of the 1861 sermon at the
Congregational Church of SH, followed by discussion of findings.
4. You are then Instructed on what sources are in the room and what sources are on my website and you begin to analyze documents individually using
these sources on my website and the hard copies of sources collected for
classroom use, with the analysis sheets I’ll provide.
5. Periodically, we will have class discussions about our findings to help others
in their research process.
Assessment and due dates:
Formative:
1. You are required to analyze 3-5 written primary documents (depending
on length) and two pictures in the time period between May 17- May 29.
Summative:
2. The culminating assessment will be for you to...
1. write one paragraph answering the first “Big Questions” above, based on
your research, and back up your conclusions with evidence from the
pieces you chose to analyze
2. write one paragraph answering the second “Big Question” above in the
same way as the first question.
3. write one paragraph reflection on the process of learning about
South Hadley history during these two time periods- what it meant to
you,
4. write one paragraph reflecting on how you might see South Hadley
differently.
Due Dates: (If you do longer documents I’ll chat with you about due
dates).
Formative:
1. 1st document analysis sheet and first picture analysis due 5/23
2. 2nd document analysis sheet and second picture analysis due 5/25
3. 3rd document analysis sheet due 5/30
Summative:
4. 4 paragraph summative assignment due 6/1
Behavioral Guidelines:
In order for this excellent unit to be successful you all must be...
1. self-motivated
2. curious and eager to explore
3. well focused
In order for this excellent unit to be successful you must not...
1. get distracted or be distracting
2. be an intellectual bump on the log
I will facilitate exploration and monitor and correct inactivity and distractability. This
is your moment to explore your own history. It will be as wonderful as you
make it. I’ll support you throughout.
