Early 19th Century Changes and Reform

Comic Book Activity

For the next few days, you will be working in groups to create a comic book about societal changes and reform in the early 19th century. Below are the categories you will be grouped into. In bold are the headings for your section of the comic book. Below the headings some key ideas I would like you to focus on in your section. Next are the sources where you can find the information to help you complete the activity successfully.

Each group member will be responsible for completing at least one page for his or her section. Each page will be completed on one 8 1/2 X 11 sheet of paper, held vertically. When you complete your page, sign the bottom right-hand corner so I know who did what. When you are done, I will gather all of the pages from the entire class together and distribute a copy of the book to each of you.

Before beginning, make sure your group does some serious planning. You want to make sure your section flows and isn’t choppy. Also, be sure you include all of the information needed to get your part of the story across clearly (and remember, you are telling a STORY). Finally, make sure you have a nice balance of both visuals (either hand-drawn or computer-generated) and text.

Be creative and have fun…

1. Immigration

  • German immigration (why they came to America, where they settled, what life was like for them in America, contributions they made to American culture)
  • Irish immigration (why they came to America, where they settled, what life was like for them in America)
  • Nativism
  • Know-Nothings

(pp. 263-264; 319; handout)

2. Religious Changes and Utopian Communities

  • Second Great Awakening
  • Revivalism
  • Transcendentalism
  • Ralph Waldo Emerson
  • Henry David Thoreau
  • Utopian communities
  • Brook Farm
  • Shakers
  • New Harmony
  • Oneida

(pp. 240-244; 246-247; handout)

3. Slavery

  • Abolition
  • William Lloyd Garrison
  • The Liberator
  • Emancipation
  • David Walker
  • Frederick Douglass
  • Nat Turner
  • Slave codes
  • Underground Railroad
  • Harriet Tubman
  • “The Drinking Gourd”

(pp. 248-253; handout)

4. Temperance

  • Prohibition

(pp. 255-256; handout)

5. Mentally Ill, Prisoners, and the Poor

  • Dorothea Dix
  • Rehabilitation

(p. 244; handout)

6. Education

  • Horace Mann

(pp. 244-245; handout)

7. Women’s Rights

  • Catharine Beecher
  • Cult of domesticity
  • Lucy Stone
  • Amelia Bloomer
  • Susan B. Anthony
  • Sarah and Angelina Grimk
  • Elizabeth Cady Stanton
  • Lucretia Mott
  • Seneca Falls Convention
  • Declaration of Sentiments
  • Sojourner Truth

(pp. 254-258; handout)

Early 19th Century Changes and Reform

Comic Book Activity

Rubric

Possible
Points / Earned Points
Accuracy of Facts
Every fact presented is accurate. / 20
Text
The main idea stands out and is supported by detailed information. / 15
Illustrations
The illustrations are detailed, attractive, creative, and relate to the text. / 5
Creativity
The page contains many creative details and/or descriptions that contribute to the reader’s enjoyment. The author has really used his or her imagination. / 5
Attractiveness
The page is exceptionally attractive in terms of design, layout, and neatness. / 10
Organization
The story is very well organized. One idea or scene follows another in a logical sequence with clear transitions. Information flows seamlessly between panels or pages. / 10
Grammar and Mechanics
There are no grammatical or mechanical mistakes on the page. / 5
Use of Class Time
Student used time well during each class period, focused on getting the job done, and never distracted others. / 10
Submission
Assignment is submitted in the proper format (email subject should read “Period ___ Reform Comic Book.”) Document is also submitted through turnitin.com. / 5
85