Identity
This theme focuses on the formation of both American national identity and group identities in U.S. history. Students should be able to explain how various identities, cultures, and values have been preserved or changed in different contexts of U.S. history, with special attention given to the formation of gender, class, racial, and ethnic identities. Students should be able to explain how these subidentities have interacted with each other and with larger conceptions of American national identity.
To remember this theme, we are going to use the song "In My Life" by the Beatles. It's a beautiful song, one of my favorites from one of the greatest bands of all time. The video is attached.
How does this song relate to the theme of IDENTITY?
- Overarching question:
- Overarching question:
To remember this theme, we are going to use the song "In My Life" by the Beatles. It's a beautiful song, one of my favorites from one of the greatest bands of all time. The video is attached.
How does this song relate to the theme of IDENTITY?
Work, Exchange, and Technology
This theme focuses on the development of American economies based on agriculture, commerce, and manufacturing. Students should examine ways that different economic and labor systems, technological innovations, and government policies have shaped American society. Students should explore the lives of working people and the relationships among social classes, racial and ethnic groups, and men and women, including the availability of land and labor, national and international economic developments, and the role of government support and regulation.
For this theme, we are going to use the song "Hard Work" from one of the Gatorade commercials. It gets in your head and it's catchy...hopefully that will help you!
How does this song relate to the theme of work, exchange and technology?
- Overarching question:
- Overarching question:
- Overarching question:
For this theme, we are going to use the song "Hard Work" from one of the Gatorade commercials. It gets in your head and it's catchy...hopefully that will help you!
How does this song relate to the theme of work, exchange and technology?
Peopling
This theme focuses on why and how the various people who moved to, from, and within
the United States adapted to their new social and physical environments. Students examine migration across borders and long distances, including the slave trade and internal migration, and how both newcomers and indigenous inhabitants transformed North America. The theme also illustrates how people responded when “borders crossed them.” Students explore the ideas, beliefs, traditions, technologies, religions, and gender roles that migrants/immigrants and annexed peoples brought with them and the impact these factors had on both these peoples and on U.S. society.
For this theme, we are using to use the song "America" by Neil Diamond. Another oldie, I know, but it is perfect for this theme.
How does Neil Diamond's "America" relate to the theme of peopling?
- Overarching question:
- Overarching question:
For this theme, we are using to use the song "America" by Neil Diamond. Another oldie, I know, but it is perfect for this theme.
How does Neil Diamond's "America" relate to the theme of peopling?
Ideas, Beliefs, and Culture
This theme explores the roles that ideas, beliefs, social mores, and creative expression have played in shaping the United States. Students should examine the development of aesthetic, moral, religious, scientific, and philosophical principles and consider how these principles have affected individual and group actions. Students should analyze the interactions between beliefs and communities, economic values, and political movements, including attempts to change American society to align it with specific ideals.
For this theme, we are going to use the song "Pink Houses" by John Mellencamp. How does this song relate to the theme of ideas, beliefs and culture?
- Overarching question:
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For this theme, we are going to use the song "Pink Houses" by John Mellencamp. How does this song relate to the theme of ideas, beliefs and culture?
America in the World
n this theme, students should focus on the global context in which the United States originated and developed as well as the influence of the United States on world affairs. Students should examine how various world actors (such as people, states, organizations, and companies)
have competed for the territory and resources of the North American continent, influencing the development of both American and world societies and economies. Students should also investigate how American foreign policies and military actions have affected the rest of the world as well as social issues within the United States itself.
For this theme, we are going to use the song "Where is the Love?" by The Black Eyed Peas. How does this song relate to the theme of America in the world?
- Overarching question:
- Overarching question:
For this theme, we are going to use the song "Where is the Love?" by The Black Eyed Peas. How does this song relate to the theme of America in the world?
Environment and Geography — Physical and Human
his theme examines the role of environment, geography, and climate in both constraining and shaping human actions. Students should analyze the interaction between the environment and Americans in their efforts to survive and thrive. Students should also explore efforts to interpret, preserve, manage, or exploit natural and man-made environments, as well as the historical contexts within which interactions with the environment have taken place.
For this theme, we go to the great Michael Jackson and his song simply called "Earth Song." How does Michael's song relate to the theme of environment and geography, both from the physical and human perspective?
- Overarching question:
- Overarching question:
For this theme, we go to the great Michael Jackson and his song simply called "Earth Song." How does Michael's song relate to the theme of environment and geography, both from the physical and human perspective?
Politics and Power
Students should examine ongoing debates over the role of the state in society and its potential as an active agent for change. This includes mechanisms for creating, implementing, or limiting participation in the political process and the resulting social effects, as well as the changing relationships among the branches of the federal government and among national, state, and local governments. Students should trace efforts to define or gain access to individual rights and citizenship and survey the evolutions of tensions between liberty and authority in different periods of U.S. history.
I know you all know this one...for the theme of politics and power, we will use the song "Waiting on the World to Change" by John Mayer. How does this song relate to the theme of politics and power?
- Overarching question:
- Overarching question:
I know you all know this one...for the theme of politics and power, we will use the song "Waiting on the World to Change" by John Mayer. How does this song relate to the theme of politics and power?