Crisis of 1850 (Secession)

As sectionalism arose from racial/societal tension many events occurred that led  to South Carolina’s secession from the Union. Students will create an interactive timeline of the Road to Civil War. 

 

Duration
Multiple days
Lesson Type
Project Based Lesson

Lesson Created By: Lori Powers

Lesson Partners: Lexington/Richland School District 5, ETV Education, Knowitall.org

Essential Question

How did South Carolina become the center of a conflict that threatened American unity?
 

Grade(s):

  • 8

Subject(s):

Recommended Technology:

Tools used: Google Classroom,  Learn 360,  Variety of internet resources including DISCUS, Presentation software that allows collaboration. Suggestions are Google Presentation, LucidChart, Google Drawing or other appropriate software on iPad/device - Google Drive and Documents to collaborate and explore and learn together. 

  • Students will use technology on the modification and redefinition levels of the SAMR Ladder to view, research valuable resources, collaborate and communicate the events that led to the CIvil War.  
  • Students will use Google Documents and internet resources, provided and searched to complete outlines provided.  
  • Students will then use Google Drawing to create an infographic on one specific event  using comment feature to offer/receive feedback throughout process.
  • FInally Infographics will be linked to an Interactive timeline which will be displayed via the teacher’s website and School social media accounts. 

Other Instructional Materials or Notes:

Lesson Progression

Step 1
Have students complete the following document shared with them through gClassroom.  Students should work independently but be allowed to share ideas, thoughts or cool facts  through online academic conversation run through TodaysMeet.com, Padlet or Google Doc.

Step 2
Once chart is completed and teacher is comfortable with the answers and effort put in.  Student will choose a topic to focus more indepthly on.  The student will research this topic more completely to be able to create an Infographic of the topic sharing key points.  Student will make this document available for anyone with a link to comment so classmates can comment in the next portion of the assignment. Infographic may have hyperlinks to other videos and information.  Just make sure titles and buttons are clearly marked so people know what to click for further info. 

Step 3
As students are completing their infographic they will provide a link to the infographic on a CLASS TIMELINE.  Timeline can be completed in any software.  Attached Example is a Google Drawing.

Step 4
Classmates will review each event and comment on at least 5 other events.  Comments must be in compliance with academic conversation. You may offer suggestions, make corrections or provide additional information. Merely stating “cool” or “Nice Work” does not qualify.   

Step 5
After the Infographic is complete, student will write a brief summary explaining how the feedback was used and also the feedback they offered. 

Teacher Notes

How will students share their work?
Work will be distributed and collected via Google Classroom or another LMS.  Class Timeline will house all infographics.  The comments to each other will be made on specific Google Drawing Infographics.

Answer Key for the student outline:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1wxAH65yj17vgZvlAxX-NEAnAjGn01PYt5w5r...
Students will submit a summary of feedback and comments offered to and used from classmates via gClassroom. 

Extensions/Differentiation:
Low:  Students will create a class presentation completing two slides for each event either independently or with partner.  Slides will be assigned directly to them.  All feedback will be in comment form on the actual presentation.

High: Project can be completed school or district-wide partnering up with other classes so that students can share other highlights shared by their teachers when offering comments.  This will offer a much more global type experience for those involved. 
 

The South Carolina Journey from Gibbs Smith Education

SC Journey Chapter 4.pptx - Antebellum SC

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Outline for Students to Complete

The Road to Civil War Chart

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Infograph "How-to"

Infographic Hints and Tips

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Secession Crisis of 1850-51

South Carolina from A to Z with Walter Edgar

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Ordinance of Secession | South Carolina State House Specials: Legends and Legacy

The Ordinance of Secession is located near the front doors of the main lobby. This document allowed SC to be the first state to secede from the union. The First Baptist church is where it all happened.

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Secession, Part 1 | Palmetto Heritage

The story begins in 1858 in South Carolina. William Taylor's cousin Allen is visiting from Connecticut. Secession "fever" is rapidly engulfing the state. The scene shifts to West Point where the cousins have been accepted as cadets. William finds the "politics of the day" there to be "slavery and sectionalism." Politics continue to be the topic of the summer of 1860, and the story is again picked up when Allen and William attend a reception where a number of prominent South Carolina politicos are gathered discussing how secession should occur. Returning to West Point in the fall of 1860, Allen realizes the situation in South Carolina is rapidly moving toward secession and knows that he will soon be forced to make a decision concerning his position at West Point.

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Secession, Part 2 | Palmetto Heritage

Back in South Carolina in December 1860 for a short Christmas break, Allen finds the Secession convention in session at the First Baptist Church in Columbia. He then accompanies his father, who is a delegate, to the railroad station when the convention adjourns to Charleston. When the Ordinance of Secession is formally adopted in Charleston on December 20, 1860 Allen makes his decision.

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Standards