This lesson invites students to wonder about what life was like as a disabled WWI veteran. The lesson provides materials and instructions for guiding students in analysis of primary source materials that include a song about shell shock, a cartoon contrasting wounded veterans with rich profiteers, Red Cross posters, and a photograph highlighting life-changing war injuries.

Nellie Bly’s account of her experience as an inmate at an asylum as an undercover journalist offers a gripping entry point into the history of mental health care reform and a discussion of how people in need of care should be treated. In this lesson, students explore several primary sources addressing the treatment of people with mental illness and disability at New York City’s Blackwell Island in the mid to late 1800s.

Carolyn Ritter, author of this newly available lesson on Immigration versus Nativism, writes: “The topic of immigration is just as controversial today as it was at the turn of the twentieth century.

Accessing Inquiry, Emerging America’s initiative dedicated to supporting good teaching for ALL learners, has newly expanded online resources, and a new web page, Classroom Materials for Accessibility.    

The new page has links to resources for

The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 marked the most devastating foreign assault ever on American soil. Over 2,000 soldiers and sailors were killed and 1,000 wounded. The following primary source set on the attack depicts both the attack itself and its aftermath. The pictures, videos, and maps contained in the set paint a vivid picture of the immense loss of life and impact on the American people. By examining these primary sources, students will gain an understanding of:

The December 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii resulted in over 2,000 soldiers and sailors killed and 1,000 wounded. The attack sparked the U.S. declaration of war on Japan and the official start of American involvement in World War II. Even as the loss of life caused widespread grief, the assault on American soil drove intense patriotism and spurred subsequent reactionary behavior against Japanese-Americans. Primary sources in this set explore proximate impacts on the street.

The following primary source set focuses on material culture produced about and by American Indians. The information and materials in the set can be used as a jumping off point for teachers looking to access resources provided by the Library of Congress related to the topic. The subject of American Indian history and culture is generally not emphasized significantly in American history curriculum and classrooms.

As the 2017-18 Academic School Year begins, Emerging America is proud to offer a wealth of resources free and online for download. Resource types include:

NEWS

• 86% of Massachusetts School Districts report offering Civics / Government Courses. Report on district social studies practice!!! Full report in June 7 Emerging America blog. http://emergingamerica.orgblog/

NEWS

• June 13 - 10am - MA State House - Hearing on Civic Engagement bills before the Mass Legislature. (Room TBD.) Meet up with fellow educators at 9:30, Nurses Hall, 2nd Floor.

• THANK YOU to 109 teachers and administrators from 86 school districts who completed our survey on district social studies practice!!! See full report in June 7 Emerging America blog.