Rationale: Ultimately the goal of this unit is to have students take some form of action to address their newly acquired knowledge. This is crucial as Linda Christensen points out, “...students need to act on their new knowledge. If we intend to create citizens of the world, as most school districts claim in their mission statements, then we need to teach students how to use their knowledge to create change” (15). This directly relates to the fourth dimension of the C3 Framework, taking informed action.
Essential Questions: To what extent does learning about the origins, evolution and legacies of slavery and racism help you to understand your world today? How can you be an agent of change to combat legacies of slavery and racism?
Activity- For this unit’s final project, students will address both of the unit’s essential questions. Students will start by using their selected legacy of American slavery topic from Classroom Activity 4. They will create a display board or virtual presentation explaining how their selected topic is a legacy of slavery and racism in America? They will also share what resistance to this legacy looks like today? Students will then research local resistance groups/organizations that are working to combat these legacies in their own communities and the ways that people can join/connect with these groups/organizations. Lastly, students will write a personal reflection explaining to what extent learning about the origins, evolution and legacies of slavery helped them to understand their world today. Students will use these displays in our school’s annual “Celebration of Learning” event. This event showcases the work of students who share their learning with other students, members of the school community, and community members who are invited to attend this event.