This inquiry examines the 20th century history of migration from Mexico to the United States and recent efforts to limit the movement of people across the southern U.S. border. The inquiry takes its inspiration from a 2018 podcast episode by Malcom Gladwell titled, “General Chapman’s Last Stand.” The podcast is part of Gladwell’s Revisionist History series (http://revisionisthistory.com). In the podcast, Gladwell tells the story of General Leonard F. Chapman Jr., Commandant of the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War, who went on to serve as the Commissioner of the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) from 1972 to 1975. Chapman is credited with reforming the INS into a more efficient and effective agency, but Gladwell argues that Chapman’s efforts also led to an unintentional increase in unauthorized immigrants. In 1970, 760,000 Mexican immigrants, or 1.4% of Mexico’s population, lived in the U.S. By 2008, there were 12.7 million Mexican immigrants in the U.S. which amounted to 11% of all people born in Mexico; an increase of almost 800% in less than 30 years. The question of how and why this happened is the central focus of this inquiry.

This unit prompts students in a twelfth-grade English class to question and challenge the roles and expectations that are placed upon them by society based on gender identity. By exposing the inconsistencies and contradictions inherent in a binary division of genders, our studies and discussions during this unit will push students to consider that gender identity and labeling need not determine an individual’s behavior, educational pursuits, or career path. Students will use a combination of contemporary and canon literature to reinforce the concepts that we will investigate. Alice Walker’s The Color Purple and Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun will serve as anchor texts for students.

This art history video discussion examines Hieronymus Bosch's "Last Judgment Triptych", 1504-08, Akademie fur bildenden Kunste, Vienna, overall dimensions.

This lesson provides teachers with support for using text-dependent questions to help students derive big ideas and key understandings while developing vocabulary from the biographical text, Boss of the Plains. This biography relates the life of John Batterson Stetson as a hatting apprentice until he was diagnosed with tuberculosis and decided to explore the American West. During his time with the people of the West, he invents a better hat, nicknamed "Boss of the Plains," - the first real cowboy hat.

Preston, Thomas. “Captain Thomas Preston’s Account of the Boston Massacre.” Boston Massacre Historical Society. January 19, 2022 < http://www.bostonmassacre.net/trial/acct-preston1.htm>

Smith, Sidney Lawton, Engraver, and Paul Revere. The bloody massacre perpetrated in King - Street Boston on March 5th, by a party of the 29th Regt. / engrav'd printed & sold by Paul Revere, Boston ; re-engraved by Sidney L. Smith. Boston Massachusetts, 1908. Boston, Mass.: Published by Charles E. Goodspeed. Photograph. https://www.loc.gov/item/2012648847/Embellished Engraving of the scene of the Boston Massacre by Paul Revere

Students will analyze a picture of Paul Revere's Engraving and answer some guided photo analysis questions. 

Boston Sports Temples celebrates the rich histories of Boston’s professional stadiums and arenas. Some, like Fenway Park, still welcome fans today. Others were demolished decades ago, leaving only hints of their former glory amid the urban landscape. This exhibition welcomes modern fans through the gates of venues both famous and forgotten: the various home fields—and courts and tracks and ice—of Boston’s most beloved franchises and hosts to a century of public events, concerts, and gatherings. Featuring historical photographs from the Boston Public Library’s extensive archives, Boston Sports Temples draws from thousands of negatives and prints dating from the early twentieth century through the 1960s. The images capture the unique character of Boston’s historic sports venues, memorable moments, and the communities of athletes, fans, and staff who have come together within their walls. Together, these vintage materials provide an invaluable window into the past and a nostalgic look back at our city, our deep sporting traditions, and generations of passionate fandom. Created by the Boston Public Library.

This collection uses primary sources to explore the Boston Tea Party. Digital Public Library of America Primary Source Sets are designed to help students develop their critical thinking skills and draw diverse material from libraries, archives, and museums across the United States. Each set includes an overview, ten to fifteen primary sources, links to related resources, and a teaching guide. These sets were created and reviewed by the teachers on the DPLA's Education Advisory Committee.

Botticelli, La Primavera (Spring), 1481-1482, tempera on panel, 80 x 123 1/2" (203 x 314), Uffizi, Florence Speakers: Dr. Beth Harris and Dr. Steven Zucker http://khan.smarthistory.org/botticelli-primavera.html. Created by Beth Harris and Steven Zucker.

This art history video discussion examines Francois Boucher's "Madame de Pompadour", oil on canvas, 1750 (extention of canvas and additional painting likely added by Boucher later, Fogg Museum.

This resource is a complete course in art appreciation/art history for an art 100 or arthist 101 level. It is most complete in its art history sections including non-Western art. The introductory materials on techniques and media are not as comprehensive, but the art period overviews are very good. There is a complete list of sources, licenses, and attributions located at the end of every module. This resource lends itself to inclusion in a modular fashion and there is a fee-based LMS integration available if desired. Quiz files and lecture slides are also available, although that may also be on a fee-basis.

The boycott is one of the most powerful, time-tested tactics that social movements have at their disposal. History offers many examples of people joining together to exercise their power as consumers in support of movements for social justice, civil rights, and workers' rights. By calling for people to not spend their money on a target good or service, boycotts can aid these movements by drawing on a wider base of supporters who would otherwise be unable to participate.

This lesson examines the historical development of the boycott as a tactic - with examples of its use by both progressives and conservatives - and looks at some recent boycotts that are related to hot-button political issues.

Find out how serious head concussions can be in this video segment adapted from NOVA scienceNOW.

This is a series of presentations and activities that are designed to introduce students to Cognitive Development.  I have had success doing one of these every now and then as part of a history class.  Also, I have taught units on Child Development and Education where I used them all within the context of the same unit.  I like the spreading of these lessons throughtout the year in a high school setting, where students can sort of see it as a continuing series of interesting topics that break up the normal flow of learning.  

Donato Bramante, Tempietto, c. 1502, San Pietro in Montorio, Rome. Created by Beth Harris and Steven Zucker.

Numerous architects (see below), Saint Peter's Basilica (Basilica Sancti Petri in Latin) begun 1506 completed 1626, Vatican City. Architectural contributors include: Donato Bramante who's design won Julius II's competition Antonio da Sangallo, a student of Bramante, designed the Pauline Chapel Fra Giocondo strengthened the foundation Raphael worked with Fra Giocondo, his redesigned building plan was not executed Michelangelo designed the dome, crossing, and exterior excluding the nave and facade Giacomo della Porta, designed the cupola Carlo Maderno, extended Michelangelo's plan adding a nave and grand facade Gian Lorenzo Bernini added the piazza, the Cathedra Petri, and the Baldacchino Speakers: Dr. Beth Harris and Dr. Steven Zucker. Created by Beth Harris and Steven Zucker.

Constantin Brancusi, Bird in Space, bronze, limestone, wood, 1928 (MoMA) Speakers: Dr. Steven Zucker, Dr. Beth Harris. Created by Beth Harris and Steven Zucker.

Georges Braque, Le Viaduc à L'Estaque, (The Viaduct at L'Estaque), 1908, oil on canvas, 28-5/8 x 23-1/4 inches or 72.5 x 59 cm (Musée national d'art moderne, Centre Pompidou, Paris). Speakers: Dr. Beth Harris and Dr. Steven Zucker.