My School Assessment of Social Studies unit...Matthew (Matt) Key, Georgia

            In a social studies unit that begins to discuss the division beginning to develop in the United States in the 1850’s, students show an understanding of how the differences in the economy, agriculture and industrial, lead to a problem in politics.  There were two different sections in the country that felt their way of life and economy was better than the other and Congress had a difficult time handling the situation.  As a result, this caused the Civil War.  The students are divided into six major contingents that were represented during the Civil War.  These contingents represent various views on the issues that started the war (states rights, slavery, and economy).  The students take part in an interactive unit role playing people on the battlefield and home front depicting these differences throughout the unit.  As students go through this unit they gain a grasp of the horrific 5 year catastrophe that our country experienced during the 1860’s and learn how these differences shaped our country.  In addition, students further their research by selecting a topic on the subject matter and present it as an archive display for the school.

Matthew (Matt) Key, Georgia