Voices of Reform: Unheard Stories Podcast
Created byBrittany Moore
1 views0 downloads

Voices of Reform: Unheard Stories Podcast

Grade 10History3 days
In this 10th-grade history project, students create a podcast series titled "Voices of Reform: Unheard Stories Podcast" to explore the roles and challenges faced by women reformers during the pre-Civil War era. Students research individual women, analyze their challenges to the Cult of Domesticity, and evaluate their impact on social movements like abolitionism and women's suffrage. The project culminates in a podcast series that effectively communicates the stories and significance of these women to a modern audience, using primary sources and historical context.
Women ReformersCult of DomesticityPre-Civil War EraPodcastSocial MovementsWomen's Suffrage
Want to create your own PBL Recipe?Use our AI-powered tools to design engaging project-based learning experiences for your students.
📝

Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How did the unheard voices of women reformers challenge societal norms and contribute to significant social change during the pre-Civil War era, and what lessons can we learn from their struggles and triumphs?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.
  • In what ways did women defy the Cult of Domesticity through their involvement in pre-Civil War social movements?
  • How did women's participation in movements like abolitionism, prison reform, and temperance contribute to broader social change?
  • What were the unique challenges and opportunities faced by women reformers in the pre-Civil War era?
  • How did the Seneca Falls Convention and other key events empower women to advocate for suffrage and other rights?
  • In what ways did women's activism in the pre-Civil War era lay the groundwork for future feminist movements?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:
  • Students will be able to identify and describe the Cult of Domesticity and its impact on women in the pre-Civil War era.
  • Students will be able to research and present on the contributions of individual women to social movements such as abolitionism, prison reform, the temperance movement, and women's suffrage.
  • Students will be able to analyze the challenges and opportunities faced by women reformers in the pre-Civil War era.
  • Students will be able to evaluate the impact of events like the Seneca Falls Convention on the women's rights movement.
  • Students will be able to create a podcast series that effectively communicates the stories and significance of women reformers to a modern audience.

ALCOS

ALCOS 7
Primary
Assess how women challenged their societal roles under the Cult of Domesticity through their participation in social movements prior to the Civil War.Reason: Directly addresses the project's focus on women's contributions to pre-Civil War movements.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

'Whispers of Rebellion' Escape Room

Students enter a room transformed into a 19th-century setting, filled with clues related to women's involvement in reform movements. Solving puzzles unlocks stories of individual women, sparking curiosity and setting the stage for in-depth research.
📚

Portfolio Activities

Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.
Activity 1

Spotlight on a Reformer: Research & Discovery

Students will select a specific woman reformer from the pre-Civil War era and conduct in-depth research on her life, contributions, and challenges. This activity allows students to focus on individual stories and develop expertise in a particular area.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Choose a woman reformer from a provided list (e.g., Lucretia Mott, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Sojourner Truth) or propose one for approval.
2. Research the reformer's background, involvement in social movements, key accomplishments, and obstacles faced.
3. Take detailed notes, citing all sources using a consistent citation style (e.g., MLA, Chicago).

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed research document including the reformer's background, involvements, accomplishments, and obstacles.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with ALCOS 7 by researching specific women and their challenges to societal roles, and Learning Goal 2: 'Students will be able to research and present on the contributions of individual women to social movements such as abolitionism, prison reform, the temperance movement, and women's suffrage.'
Activity 2

Scripting Her Story: Podcast Outline

Students will develop a podcast script outline based on their research, structuring the narrative to engage listeners and highlight the reformer's significance. This activity emphasizes clear communication and storytelling skills.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Identify key themes and events in the reformer's life that will be featured in the podcast.
2. Create a detailed outline of the podcast episodes, including an introduction, development of main points, and a conclusion.
3. Determine where to incorporate primary source quotes, historical context, and analysis.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed podcast script outline, including episode structure, key themes, and planned content.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses Learning Goal 5: 'Students will be able to create a podcast series that effectively communicates the stories and significance of women reformers to a modern audience.' and prepares them for the final assessment.
Activity 3

Unveiling the Cult of Domesticity

Students will explore the social norms and expectations imposed on women during the pre-Civil War era, known as the Cult of Domesticity. This activity sets the stage for understanding the context in which women reformers operated and the obstacles they faced.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Read excerpts from primary and secondary sources describing the Cult of Domesticity.
2. Participate in a class discussion about the key tenets of the Cult of Domesticity and its impact on women's lives.
3. Create a visual representation (e.g., infographic, collage) that illustrates the constraints and expectations placed on women during this period.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA visual representation (infographic, collage, etc.) illustrating the Cult of Domesticity and its impact on women.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses the initial part of ALCOS 7 by establishing the societal roles women occupied and Learning Goal 1: 'Students will be able to identify and describe the Cult of Domesticity and its impact on women in the pre-Civil War era.'
Activity 4

Voices from the Past: Recording the Podcast

Students will record their podcast episodes, bringing their research and scripts to life through audio storytelling. This activity focuses on effective communication, audio production, and collaboration.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Record the podcast episodes based on the script outline.
2. Incorporate music, sound effects, and other audio elements to enhance the listening experience.
3. Edit and refine the audio recordings for clarity and quality.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA series of recorded and edited podcast episodes, ready for publication.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses ALCOS 7 by presenting the impact of these women in an accessible format, and Learning Goal 5: 'Students will be able to create a podcast series that effectively communicates the stories and significance of women reformers to a modern audience.'
🏆

Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Voices of Reform: Podcast Series Rubric

Category 1

Research & Content Accuracy

Demonstrates the depth and accuracy of research on the chosen woman reformer and the historical context.
Criterion 1

Historical Accuracy

Presents accurate and well-supported information about the reformer's life, contributions, and challenges.

Exemplary
4 Points

Demonstrates comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the reformer's life, historical context, and impact, supported by compelling evidence from diverse sources.

Proficient
3 Points

Presents accurate information about the reformer's life, historical context, and impact, supported by relevant evidence from credible sources.

Developing
2 Points

Presents mostly accurate information about the reformer, but may contain minor inaccuracies or lack sufficient supporting evidence.

Beginning
1 Points

Presents inaccurate or incomplete information about the reformer, with little or no supporting evidence.

Criterion 2

Source Integration & Citation

Effectively integrates and properly cites sources to support claims and avoid plagiarism.

Exemplary
4 Points

Seamlessly integrates a variety of sources to support claims, with meticulous and consistent citations following a recognized style (e.g., MLA, Chicago).

Proficient
3 Points

Integrates sources effectively to support claims, with accurate citations following a recognized style.

Developing
2 Points

Integrates some sources, but citations may be inconsistent or contain errors.

Beginning
1 Points

Fails to integrate sources effectively or provides inaccurate/missing citations, indicating potential plagiarism.

Category 2

Podcast Structure & Content

Evaluates the clarity, organization, and engagement of the podcast episodes.
Criterion 1

Narrative Structure & Clarity

Presents a clear, logical, and engaging narrative that effectively conveys the reformer's story.

Exemplary
4 Points

Crafts a compelling and insightful narrative with a clear structure, captivating storytelling, and smooth transitions that keeps the listener fully engaged.

Proficient
3 Points

Presents a clear and organized narrative that effectively conveys the reformer's story with logical flow and engaging elements.

Developing
2 Points

Presents a somewhat disorganized narrative that may lack clarity or engagement in certain areas.

Beginning
1 Points

Presents a confusing or disjointed narrative that fails to effectively convey the reformer's story.

Criterion 2

Historical Context & Analysis

Provides relevant historical context and insightful analysis of the reformer's challenges and impact.

Exemplary
4 Points

Provides a rich and nuanced understanding of the historical context, analyzing the reformer's challenges and impact with exceptional insight and critical thinking.

Proficient
3 Points

Provides relevant historical context and analyzes the reformer's challenges and impact effectively.

Developing
2 Points

Provides some historical context, but the analysis of the reformer's challenges and impact may be superficial or incomplete.

Beginning
1 Points

Lacks historical context or provides minimal analysis of the reformer's challenges and impact.

Criterion 3

Cult of Domesticity Connection

Clearly connects the reformer's actions and beliefs to the challenges they posed to the Cult of Domesticity.

Exemplary
4 Points

Masterfully articulates how the reformer's actions and beliefs directly challenged and subverted the norms of the Cult of Domesticity, providing insightful analysis of the impact and consequences.

Proficient
3 Points

Clearly demonstrates how the reformer's actions and beliefs challenged the norms of the Cult of Domesticity.

Developing
2 Points

Makes a connection between the reformer and the Cult of Domesticity, but the explanation may be vague or lack detail.

Beginning
1 Points

Fails to connect the reformer's actions and beliefs to the Cult of Domesticity.

Category 3

Audio Production & Delivery

Assesses the quality and effectiveness of the audio production and presentation.
Criterion 1

Audio Quality & Clarity

Demonstrates clear audio recording, editing, and mixing for a professional listening experience.

Exemplary
4 Points

Presents impeccable audio quality with crystal-clear recording, seamless editing, and professional mixing that enhances the listening experience.

Proficient
3 Points

Demonstrates clear audio recording, effective editing, and appropriate mixing for a quality listening experience.

Developing
2 Points

Audio quality may be inconsistent, with some distracting background noise, uneven editing, or unbalanced mixing.

Beginning
1 Points

Presents poor audio quality with significant background noise, distracting edits, and unbalanced mixing, making it difficult to listen.

Criterion 2

Engagement & Creativity

Incorporates music, sound effects, and other audio elements to create an engaging and immersive listening experience.

Exemplary
4 Points

Skillfully incorporates music, sound effects, and other audio elements to create a captivating and immersive listening experience that enhances the narrative and emotional impact.

Proficient
3 Points

Incorporates music, sound effects, and other audio elements effectively to create an engaging and immersive listening experience.

Developing
2 Points

Incorporates some audio elements, but their use may be distracting or ineffective.

Beginning
1 Points

Fails to incorporate audio elements or uses them inappropriately, detracting from the listening experience.

Criterion 3

Clarity of Speech & Delivery

Demonstrates clear pronunciation, pacing, and vocal expression to effectively communicate the reformer's story.

Exemplary
4 Points

Exhibits exceptional clarity of speech, engaging vocal expression, and perfect pacing to deliver the reformer's story with passion and precision.

Proficient
3 Points

Demonstrates clear pronunciation, appropriate pacing, and effective vocal expression to communicate the reformer's story.

Developing
2 Points

Pronunciation, pacing, or vocal expression may be inconsistent, hindering effective communication of the reformer's story.

Beginning
1 Points

Demonstrates poor pronunciation, pacing, or vocal expression, making it difficult to understand the reformer's story.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning
Question 1

How has your understanding of the challenges and contributions of women reformers in the pre-Civil War era evolved through this project?

Text
Required