History Pathways – Abel Harwood

Christine Adrian

Summer 2004

Essential Questions:

• How and why do we examine history?
• How do we choose what history is "important"? How does history change depending on perspective? Who shapes the history we digest?
• Why is examining primary sources important? How can we use multiple primary sources to discover answers to questions we have about history?
• How are everyday people important in local or national history?
• How does family shape our lives?
• What was life like for everyday people around the time of the Civil War?
• What motivates a group to change its laws?

Setting the Purpose:

The purpose of this unit is to look at history in a critical way and to learn to pose questions about history. The purpose is also to create interest in local history and inspire meaningful critical questions and research for students. This unit is a nice tie into Civil War history and the Illinois State Constitution. It is also a good way to teach research writing skills.

Procedure:

Students will create a research booklet that begins with the letter to Abel Harwood. Research will then branch into different directions based on the students' questions drawn up. Students will be responsible for creating a flowchart demonstrating their questions and researched answers.

Lesson #1: Book creation and discussion about writing history

Students create their research notebook and purposes are set for the unit.

Lesson #2: Letter to Abel Harwood

Students examine primary sources.

Lesson #3: Who was Abel Harwood?

Students use primary sources and websites to find out more about Abel Harwood.

Lesson #4: Studying the Illinois State Constitution

Students learn more about Abel Harwood and his connection to the Illinois State Constitution.

Lesson #5: The Harwood Family – George Harwood

Students examine primary sources to discover more about Abel's family.

Lesson #6: Another side of Abel – the courting letter

Students again analyze primary sources to gain a fuller picture of Abel Harwood.

Lesson #7: Where will the research take you?

Students determine their research questions based on the previous lessons, and plan the process they will undertake to answer these questions.

Ties to National Primary Source(s):

This could be tied to the Civil War, Women's Suffrage Movement, Emancipation/Slavery in Illinois, the Illinois State Constitution, or numerous other topics of national interest.

Assessment:

The final research book will be graded using the ISAT rubric. Participation grades during discussions will be given as the unit progresses day to day.

Attachments:

"Where Do I Go From Here?" handout

Courting letter

Courting Question Sheet

Transcription

Photo Analysis Worksheet

Prediction Sheet

Sequence Chain

Written Document Analysis Worksheet

KWL Chart

Research planning sheet

Self-reflection

Resources