Early+American+Character+Study

Early America Character Study
The purpose of this project is for students to acquire an understanding of the realities of the early American republic (1790 to around the 1830s). English I students will also work on interview skills in English class, and are asked to create their own ‘composite’ character based on attitudes and developments during this time. English II students can choose two people from the list below and produce a detailed conversation between the two on a variety of topics contemporary to their time //or// English II students can work in pairs to act out their interview as an in-class presentation or a videotaped exchange. //Note: This project will not be covered in English II class.// ** Here are the areas of understanding in which students should be proficient:  ** **Geography**- your work must show detailed knowledge of the land your person’s life played out on. This includes the natural environment, climate, and political boundaries (states, territories, etc.) Chances are something about the frontier (unsettled and/or unclaimed land at the edges of the United States) will fit into your person’s life; if so, how does this fit in? ** Economics ** : your work should show a general knowledge of how the early American economy worked. Things to consider are: types of currency, what kinds of tools and inventions your person would encounter, and knowledge of how your person would make a living. ** Culture ** : your person should show evidence of knowledge about contemporary attitudes, prejudices, language, and, depending on who you are, you can also focus on religious, artistic, and/or ** Government/Politics ** : how do laws, taxes, service, and other manifestations of government affect your person? Is your person poltical? Devoted to a cause? How does the freedom of early America affect your person’s life? Product: All students will need to show evidence of the areas listed above for full credit. How this information is presented can take a variety of forms: letters, artwork, video, in-class monologue, maps, presentation/lecture, interviews, interpretive dance with leg warmers, battling gnomish hand puppets, underwater historical basketweaving. The point is to show that you have a grounded understanding of the above-listed areas. Here is a brief list of notable people from this era. You may choose from this list, or you may supply your own notable person.
 * Early America character study project

Explorers Lewis and Clark Expedition Merriwhether Lewis William Clark Sacagawea York Jim Bridger John Colton Jedediah Smith Joe Walker John C. Fremont Business John Jacob Astor Manual Lisa William Ashley Presidents George Washington John Adams Thomas Jefferson James Madison James Monroe Andrew Jackson First Ladies Martha Washington Abigail Adams Martha Jefferson Dolly Madison Elizabeth Monroe Louisa Adams Rachel Jackson Native Americans Black Hawk Osceola Tecumseh Sequoyah Other Notable Women Catherine Ferguson Religious Figures William Miller Joseph Smith Charles Fourier Charles Finney  ||