Enlightenment Thinkers: Founding a Nation

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Enlightenment Thinkers: Founding a Nation

Grade 11Social StudiesHistory3 days

This project explores the profound influence of Enlightenment ideals on the foundation of the United States. Students research Enlightenment thinkers, analyze primary source documents, and apply these principles to contemporary issues. The project culminates in students proposing Enlightenment-based solutions to modern challenges. Students will gain a deeper understanding of the historical context and enduring relevance of Enlightenment thought.

Enlightenment ThinkersFounding FathersDemocratic PrinciplesPrimary Source AnalysisContemporary IssuesEnlightenment Ideals

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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.In what ways did Enlightenment ideals shape the foundation of our nation, and how can these principles guide us in addressing contemporary challenges?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.

How did Enlightenment ideas influence the founding fathers?
In what ways did Enlightenment thinkers impact the development of democratic principles in the nation's founding?
How can we apply Enlightenment ideals to contemporary issues facing the nation?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:

Students will be able to describe the key Enlightenment ideas.
Students will be able to explain how Enlightenment ideals influenced the founding fathers.
Students will be able to analyze the impact of Enlightenment thinkers on the development of democratic principles in the nation's founding.
Students will be able to apply Enlightenment ideals to contemporary issues facing the nation.
Students will be able to evaluate the relevance of Enlightenment principles in addressing contemporary challenges.

Teacher-Provided Standards

SS.11.US.1

Primary

Describe the Enlightenment and the rise of democratic ideas as the context in which the nation was founded.Reason: Directly addresses the core content of the project.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

The AI Enlightenment Advisor

A tech company unveils a new AI 'advisor' based on Enlightenment principles, but it starts making controversial decisions. Students analyze the AI's choices through the lens of different Enlightenment thinkers, debating whether the AI truly embodies Enlightenment ideals or if it's a perversion of them.

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Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.

Activity 1

Enlightenment Thinker Biography

Students will research and create a biography of an assigned Enlightenment thinker, detailing their key ideas, influences, and impact on society.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Select an Enlightenment thinker from a provided list (e.g., Locke, Rousseau, Montesquieu).

2. Research the thinker's life, intellectual influences, and major works.

3. Identify and summarize their key ideas and their impact on society.

4. Create a timeline of the thinker's life, highlighting significant events and publications.

5. Write a biographical report that synthesizes the research, timeline, and summary of key ideas.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed biographical report, including a timeline of the thinker's life and a summary of their major contributions.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsSS.11.US.1 - Describe the Enlightenment and the rise of democratic ideas as the context in which the nation was founded. Focuses on understanding the core tenets and the historical context.

Activity 2

Primary Source Analysis: Enlightenment to America

Students will analyze primary source documents (e.g., excerpts from Locke's 'Two Treatises of Government,' Montesquieu's 'The Spirit of the Laws,' or Jefferson's writings) to identify Enlightenment ideals and their influence on the founding fathers.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Read excerpts from primary source documents by Enlightenment thinkers and the Founding Fathers.

2. Identify key Enlightenment ideals within these documents (e.g., natural rights, separation of powers, social contract).

3. Compare and contrast the ideas of different Enlightenment thinkers.

4. Analyze how these ideals influenced the Founding Fathers and their writings (e.g., the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution).

5. Write an essay detailing the connections between Enlightenment ideas and the foundation of the United States.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityAn analytical essay comparing and contrasting the ideas of at least three Enlightenment thinkers and their direct influence on the US Founding Fathers.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsSS.11.US.1 - Describe the Enlightenment and the rise of democratic ideas as the context in which the nation was founded. Emphasizes the connection between Enlightenment ideas and the foundation of the U.S.

Activity 3

Enlightenment Solutions to Modern Problems

Students will select a contemporary issue (e.g., privacy rights, freedom of speech, government surveillance) and analyze it through the lens of Enlightenment ideals. They will propose solutions or approaches to the issue based on these principles.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Select a contemporary issue facing the nation.

2. Research the issue and its various perspectives.

3. Identify the Enlightenment ideals that are relevant to the issue (e.g., Locke's natural rights related to privacy).

4. Analyze the issue through the lens of these ideals.

5. Propose solutions or approaches to the issue that are based on Enlightenment principles.

6. Create a presentation to share the analysis and proposed solutions.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA presentation outlining the contemporary issue, the relevant Enlightenment ideals, and proposed solutions rooted in these ideals.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsSS.11.US.1 - Describe the Enlightenment and the rise of democratic ideas as the context in which the nation was founded. Focuses on applying Enlightenment principles to contemporary issues and evaluating their relevance.

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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Enlightenment and Founding Principles Rubric

Category 1

Enlightenment Thinker Biography

Assessment of the biographical report on the Enlightenment thinker.

Criterion 1

Research Depth

Depth of research into the assigned Enlightenment thinker's life, influences, and works.

Exemplary

4 Points

Demonstrates exceptionally thorough and insightful research, uncovering nuanced details and lesser-known aspects of the thinker's life and works. Research goes beyond required materials.

Proficient

3 Points

Demonstrates thorough and accurate research, covering the key aspects of the thinker's life, influences, and major works.

Developing

2 Points

Demonstrates emerging research skills, covering basic aspects of the thinker's life and major works but lacking depth and detail.

Beginning

1 Points

Demonstrates minimal research effort, with significant gaps in knowledge and understanding of the thinker's life and works.

Criterion 2

Clarity and Accuracy

Clarity and accuracy of the biographical report, including the timeline.

Exemplary

4 Points

Presents a flawlessly written and exceptionally clear biographical report and timeline that showcases an outstanding understanding of the subject.

Proficient

3 Points

Presents a well-written and clear biographical report and timeline that accurately reflects the research findings.

Developing

2 Points

Presents a biographical report and timeline that are understandable but contain minor inaccuracies or lack clarity in places.

Beginning

1 Points

Presents a biographical report and timeline that are difficult to understand due to significant inaccuracies, omissions, or lack of organization.

Criterion 3

Key Ideas Summary

Quality of the summary of the thinker's key ideas and their impact on society.

Exemplary

4 Points

Provides an incisive and insightful summary of the thinker's key ideas, demonstrating an exceptional understanding of their lasting impact on society with connections to contemporary society.

Proficient

3 Points

Provides a clear and accurate summary of the thinker's key ideas and their impact on society.

Developing

2 Points

Provides a summary of the thinker's key ideas that is basic and lacks depth, with limited discussion of their impact on society.

Beginning

1 Points

Provides a summary of the thinker's key ideas that is incomplete, inaccurate, or demonstrates a poor understanding of their impact on society.

Category 2

Primary Source Analysis

Assessment of the essay analyzing primary source documents.

Criterion 1

Identification of Ideals

Ability to identify and explain key Enlightenment ideals within primary source documents.

Exemplary

4 Points

Demonstrates an exceptional ability to identify, explain, and contextualize nuanced Enlightenment ideals within primary source documents, showcasing a comprehensive understanding.

Proficient

3 Points

Demonstrates a strong ability to identify and explain key Enlightenment ideals within primary source documents.

Developing

2 Points

Demonstrates an emerging ability to identify and explain basic Enlightenment ideals within primary source documents.

Beginning

1 Points

Struggles to identify and explain even basic Enlightenment ideals within primary source documents.

Criterion 2

Comparison of Ideas

Effectiveness in comparing and contrasting the ideas of different Enlightenment thinkers.

Exemplary

4 Points

Presents an insightful and sophisticated comparison and contrast of the ideas, revealing nuanced connections and distinctions.

Proficient

3 Points

Presents a clear and effective comparison and contrast of the ideas of different Enlightenment thinkers.

Developing

2 Points

Presents a comparison and contrast of the ideas that is superficial and lacks depth.

Beginning

1 Points

Fails to adequately compare and contrast the ideas of different Enlightenment thinkers.

Criterion 3

Influence on Founding Fathers

Analysis of how Enlightenment ideals influenced the Founding Fathers and their writings.

Exemplary

4 Points

Offers a compelling and insightful analysis of how Enlightenment ideals profoundly shaped the Founding Fathers and their writings, demonstrating a sophisticated understanding.

Proficient

3 Points

Provides a clear and accurate analysis of how Enlightenment ideals influenced the Founding Fathers and their writings.

Developing

2 Points

Provides a basic analysis of the influence of Enlightenment ideals, but lacks depth and detail.

Beginning

1 Points

Demonstrates a limited understanding of the influence of Enlightenment ideals on the Founding Fathers and their writings.

Category 3

Modern Problems

Assessment of the presentation on applying Enlightenment solutions to modern problems.

Criterion 1

Issue Selection

Selection and description of a relevant contemporary issue.

Exemplary

4 Points

Selects an exceptionally relevant and complex contemporary issue and provides a nuanced and comprehensive description.

Proficient

3 Points

Selects a relevant contemporary issue and provides a clear and accurate description.

Developing

2 Points

Selects a contemporary issue that is somewhat relevant and provides a basic description.

Beginning

1 Points

Selects an irrelevant or poorly defined contemporary issue and provides an inadequate description.

Criterion 2

Ideal Application

Application of Enlightenment ideals to the selected contemporary issue.

Exemplary

4 Points

Applies Enlightenment ideals to the issue with exceptional insight and originality, revealing profound connections and implications.

Proficient

3 Points

Applies Enlightenment ideals to the issue effectively, demonstrating a clear understanding of their relevance.

Developing

2 Points

Applies Enlightenment ideals to the issue in a superficial or simplistic manner.

Beginning

1 Points

Struggles to apply Enlightenment ideals to the issue or demonstrates a misunderstanding of their relevance.

Criterion 3

Solution Quality

Quality and feasibility of proposed solutions based on Enlightenment principles.

Exemplary

4 Points

Proposes innovative and highly feasible solutions that are deeply rooted in Enlightenment principles and demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of the issue.

Proficient

3 Points

Proposes reasonable and feasible solutions that are based on Enlightenment principles.

Developing

2 Points

Proposes solutions that are vaguely connected to Enlightenment principles or are not particularly feasible.

Beginning

1 Points

Proposes solutions that are unrealistic, impractical, or show little connection to Enlightenment principles.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning

Question 1

How did your understanding of Enlightenment ideals evolve throughout this project?

Text

Required

Question 2

Which Enlightenment thinker's ideas resonated most with you, and why?

Text

Required

Question 3

To what extent do you believe Enlightenment principles are still relevant in addressing contemporary challenges?

Scale

Required

Question 4

Which aspect of the project (biography, primary source analysis, or contemporary application) deepened your understanding the most?

Multiple choice

Required

Options

Enlightenment Thinker Biography

Primary Source Analysis: Enlightenment to America

Enlightenment Solutions to Modern Problems