Activity Overview
There are so many amendments, acts, and actions taken to progress voting rights that it may seem overwhelming to students. The goal of this activity is to have them dig deep into one specific moment, whether it be women petitioning for the right to vote or the Nationality Act. Students will examine what measures were in place, how they lead to the moment in question, and the impact of that moment.
As an extension activity, students may want to create a biography poster that highlights a significant figure in the progression of voting rights. For this, students will provide a brief overview of their person, as well as the actions they took and the impact of those actions on voting rights and history.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create a 5 cell storyboard that outlines a major milestone in voting rights.
Student Instructions:
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Use the description boxes to tell a narrative of how the milestone came to pass.
- Create an illustration for each description using appropriate scenes, items, and characters.
Requirements:
Lesson Plan Reference
Activity Overview
There are so many amendments, acts, and actions taken to progress voting rights that it may seem overwhelming to students. The goal of this activity is to have them dig deep into one specific moment, whether it be women petitioning for the right to vote or the Nationality Act. Students will examine what measures were in place, how they lead to the moment in question, and the impact of that moment.
As an extension activity, students may want to create a biography poster that highlights a significant figure in the progression of voting rights. For this, students will provide a brief overview of their person, as well as the actions they took and the impact of those actions on voting rights and history.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create a 5 cell storyboard that outlines a major milestone in voting rights.
Student Instructions:
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Use the description boxes to tell a narrative of how the milestone came to pass.
- Create an illustration for each description using appropriate scenes, items, and characters.
Requirements:
Lesson Plan Reference
How Tos about Voting Rights Research Project
How to Facilitate Collaborative Voting Rights Timelines in Your Classroom
Encourage teamwork and deeper understanding by having students work together to build a shared timeline of voting rights milestones. This activity helps students see connections and enhances engagement.
Assign student pairs or small groups to research different voting rights milestones.
Divide your class so each group is responsible for one or two key events in voting history. This allows every student to become an expert and fosters ownership over their part of the timeline.
Provide clear guidelines and resources for research.
Share books, websites, and primary sources so students can gather accurate information. Give them a checklist of what to include, like the date, people involved, and the impact of the event.
Have each group create a visual and written summary of their milestone.
Ask students to draw, print, or digitally design images and write a brief narrative that explains their assigned milestone. Visuals help make the timeline engaging and memorable.
Guide students to assemble and present the timeline as a class.
Put the events in order on a wall, bulletin board, or digital platform. Let each group share their research. Discuss connections between milestones to reinforce historical progression and cause/effect relationships.
Reflect on the timeline and its significance.
Facilitate a class discussion or have students write about what surprised them and how each event influenced voting rights today. Reflection helps students internalize and personalize their learning.
Frequently Asked Questions about Voting Rights Research Project
What is a voting rights research project for middle or high school students?
A voting rights research project is an assignment where students explore key events, amendments, and figures that shaped voting rights in history. Students focus on a specific moment or individual, analyze its causes and impact, and often present their findings through creative formats like storyboards or posters.
How do I guide students in creating a storyboard about a voting rights milestone?
To guide students, instruct them to select a major voting rights milestone, break it into five narrative steps, and illustrate each step visually. Encourage them to use the description boxes for storytelling and include relevant scenes, people, and actions to explain how the event unfolded and its impact.
What are some examples of key moments in the history of voting rights?
Examples include the 19th Amendment granting women the right to vote, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the 15th Amendment prohibiting racial discrimination, and the Nationality Act. Each represents a significant step toward expanding democratic participation in the United States.
How can students choose a significant figure for a voting rights biography poster?
Students should research influential activists or leaders like Susan B. Anthony, John Lewis, or Elizabeth Cady Stanton. They should select someone whose actions had a major impact on voting rights, then summarize their contributions and explain their historical significance in the poster.
What is the best way to help students understand the impact of voting rights milestones?
The best way is through project-based learning, where students connect events to real-world outcomes. Encourage them to analyze the before and after effects of each milestone and discuss how these changes shaped society, using visuals and storytelling to reinforce understanding.
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