PowerPoint Project

"The Great Migration"

I completed a PowerPoint presentation that can be used as a simulation.  I designed this project for use with 8th grade average students.  The project consists of a series of slides that follow the thought process of a 13-year old whose family is moving from South Carolina to the North in 1916.  As part of the project, the student will have the opportunity to help the family make some difficult decisions such as which city should they move to or what job should his or her father take.

I thought this would put the students into the shoes of a young person of a similar age who was part of a fascinating era in American History.  I believed they could empathize with many of the same things this young person might be feeling since they may have moved before in their own personal lives.

I chose the Great Migration because little is written about this subject in many textbooks.  Actually, I knew very little of the subject until I heard a college professor lecture on it.  It was something that was not taught when I was in grammar school.  Unfortunately, much of the history that is taught in schools is from the viewpoint of white, upper class males.  There are more attempts now than there were in past decades to share history from all perspectives.  I plan to teach social studies from various viewpoints such as African-Americans, Women and Native Americans.  The Great Migration will be a subject that I will spend a great deal of time discussing in my classroom.

For evaluation, the program asks the students to send a letter via e-mail that shares the feelings of the young person, Sam.

In order to access and view my PowerPoint project, click here.  Follow the instructions that follow.  I hope you enjoy it and find it useful.

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