Objective: To familiarize students with the social, economic and political history of the South.
Procedure: The class begins by brainstorming about the South in answer to the question “What comes to mind when you think about the South?” Ideas are listed or clustered on the chalkboard. Then the teacher clarifies the boundaries of the region by asking students to name the states comprising the South and then identifying them on a map. At this point a discussion could ensue about the geographical, political and economic differences between the North and South leading to a brief summary by the teacher of the South before, and after the Civil War incorporating as many of the students ideas on the board as possible.
Closure: Students are required to write a brief paper comparing their previously held ideas of the South with the information presented in class. This could be a homework assignment.