Lesson 3: Social Movements: Positive or Negative?
By: Tina Gersdorf, M.Ed.
2010 Fellowship
Tennessee State Library and Archives
(2 days)

Abstract

There are two sides to most social movements and students will be exposed to the opposing viewpoints to the three movements they explored in the last lesson. They will review how a different opinion leads to a different answer to one of our essential questions: Are social movements positive or negative for a society?

Assessment

Written essay

Procedure

Day 1

1. Ask students what they think people do if they oppose a certain social movement.

2. Present and discuss the following documents:

a. “The Water’s Fine” postcard

b. “Home!” political cartoon

c. “Outrage” handbill

3. Spend time analyzing these documents aloud with the class (hopefully they will be capable of thinking critically about these after the previous lesson). This is not meant to be a long activity, but rather serve as an opportunity for the students to use their analyzing skills in order to interpret these documents.

4. Brainstorm with the class what type of people might be against the movements and agree with these documents.

a. What would their reasons be?

b. How would these movements effect their lives?

5. Record this brainstorm on the board or butcher paper.

Day 2

6. Review the previous day’s brainstorm and take any additions they wish to make to the list.

7. Present the question: “Are social movements positive or negative for a society?”

8. Explain that students are required to write an extended response answering this question. Requirements should include:

a. 3-5 paragraphs (cohesive)

b. proper grammar, spelling, sentence/paragraph structure

c. include evidence from at least two of the social movements studied (Temperance, Suffrage, Abolition)

d. include supporting reasons from both perspectives for each movement (this will demonstrate the possibility for both answers to be given, depending upon a person’s ideology)