20th Century American History

Students will examine primary and secondary source material to draw connections while working individually, cooperatively with a partner, and during whole-group discussion.

To introduce analysis of primary documents to sixth through eighth grade students in preparation for History Fair’s theme, “Breaking Barriers in History”

For students to investigate the expansion of executive powers by President Richard Nixon and the debate about the scope of executive power.

Students will discuss the difference between executive orders and bills becoming laws
Students will view examples of executive orders from various Presidents.

Students will compare past and present examples of child segregation faced by two African-Americans. One is a recollection of an account by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This account occurred in 1935 when Dr. King was six-year-old. The second account takes place in the present, shared by Andrew S. Evans. This account occurred in 1949 when Evan is eleven-year-old.

Students will be comparing a) FDR and Truman’s use of executive orders and b) the Supreme Court’s decisions on those executive orders.

Instead of teaching the concepts of separation of powers and checks and balances, the students can see how the power of the President to use executive
orders have played out in three different moments in history.

Based on the group work, each student will write a 2-3 paragraphs (4-6 sentences) defending or disagreeing with the President's decision to send the 101st Airborne to Little Rock citing evidence from the readings.

This assignment will provide the students with a “hands on” experience by making a poster and a campaign button in support of his/her favorite candidate

The primary objective for this activity is to provide a medium for students to explore the Vietnam War thorough a multitude of camera lenses and personal experiences.