"We Are One" APUSH Project 2021

My AP US History students recently completed a massive project, titled "We Are One". Since we are currently learning about the United States' period of exponential economic and cultural growth at the start of the nineteenth century, it was fitting for APUSH students at Coppell High School to research various historical characters, professions, and events during that era (aka the 'Developing Republic' period) and create a final product that resembled an artifact from that time. Additionally, this content-loaded project provided a unique opportunity for students to showcase their hidden talents, creativity, and imagination. For example, several of my students (whose personalities involves 'body' and 'social' traits) took on the roles of a early-1800s chef - they researched a variety of immigrant (German, Irish, French) and regional-typed (Southern, New England, African) foods, selected a dish to cook, created a Food Network-quality cooking video, and presented their hot or cold products to classmates (I thoroughly enjoyed sampling the treats my students made, which included Louisiana-style gumbo, crab cakes, Southern cheesecake, New England clam chowder, and German-inspired chocolate mousse). A group of my students showed me their fascinating artistic skills by drawing/painting portraits of American landscapes - they researched the famous Hudson River School. These beautiful paintings are now on my classroom walls. I had one of my students sew an Antebellum dress - it was an amazing product! Other roles that students selected during this project included physical geographer, political strategist/analyst, writer, inventor, social activist, and musician. Students who desire to become an attorney in their futures were given the choice to research one of the many landmark Supreme Court cases during this period and host a Supreme Court trial (including Worcester v. Georgia and the non-existent Aaron Burr Trial - did he deserve to be imprisoned or punished after Alexander Hamilton was killed?). The students, in the drivers' seats throughout this UDL (Universal Design Learning) project worked very hard on their creations, and their creativity shined bright on the day of presentations. My students (armed with appropriate props and dressed in 1800s costumes) presented their final products with much enthusiasm to their colleagues in the other APUSH classes. The levels of excitement for this project brought a smile to my face and happy tears to my eyes - at the end of the day, the students showed me talent, perseverance, and a sense of enjoyment in learning United States history. I was incredibly proud of them, and I can not wait to continue assigning the "We Are One" project in future years. After the presentations, students were asked to write a reflection and answer an essential question: how did their product/person of research contribute to American identity during the Developing Republic period? I am incredibly lucky and very blessed to have a great job where I get to give younglings various opportunities to grow as artists and performers. Some images of my students and their WAO creations are found below.

Nandini was a photographer for the WAO project. Photography was in its infancy in the early-1800s (you had to sit in front of a camera, motionless for many moons before the flash was activated and picture was taken!). Nandini learned a lot about Matthew Brady, one of the first photographers in the United States, and created black-and-white portraits that mimicked Brady's style.

Arman, a member of Coppell High's award-winning band, researched various types of music during the Jacksonian Era and then performed these songs on his trombone. The live music performances were excellent and contributed to the excitement of our huge WAO festivities.

May has always been interested in sewing and approached me with a fantastic idea - instead of painting, she would sew. She created a glamorous Antebellum-era dress that was the type of clothes many Southern ladies wore during lavish house gatherings. Principal Springer was very impressed at May's effort. I was very proud of her hard work ethic (the dress took 14+ hours to complete!).

Raj was a physical geographer, examining America's drastic westward expansion during the Developing Republic period - Manifest Destiny! In addition to his triboard, Raj also created a 'dart game' for his audience to play after his creative presentation.

Nivi was an enthusiastic political activist during the WAO project, standing on a box and making an emotional speech on why her audience should vote for Andrew Jackson (president for the "Common Man"), instead of "old man" John Quincy Adams. Students also had the option on being political strategists and analyzing nineteenth-century political cartoons. 

Jack, star-football quarterback at the high school, loves to cook and made New England crab cakes. During the presentations, he showcased his tasty food and discussed the history of Northern cuisine.

Mariana enjoyed researching the lives and stories of Edgar Allen Poe, Herman Melville, and Walt Whitman, among others. Mariana wrote her own short stories based on the authors' writing styles, and presented her work to classmates. Her creative stories were fantastic and filled with imagery!

Anuja was an artist during the WAO project. She had to research the Hudson River School, a group of artisans who painted beautiful landscapes of America. Anuja painted the geographic features of the West.

Paulo took on the role of the nineteenth-century inventor, researched Robert Fulton and created a working model of the steamboat. The steamboat drastically improved passenger travel and cotton trade in the United States during this period, especially on the Mississippi River.

Hiba was a social activist and researched Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott during the 1848 Seneca Falls Convention. She also made buttons and convinced her audience to join the women's rights movement. She had my vote!