In November of 1815, an enslaved woman known only as Anna jumped out of a third floor window in Washington DC in what was assumed to be a suicide attempt. Presumed dead, abolitionists used her story to expose the harsh realities of slavery and advocate for better treatment of slaves. In 2015, the Oh Say Can You See research project uncovered an 1828 petition for freedom from an Ann Williams for herself and three children. This woman was the same “Anna” who had leapt from the window, still alive but severely injured from her fall, a contrast to the widely held belief that she had died in the fall. In 1832, a jury ruled in her favor, granting Ann and her three children freedom from master George Williams. Ann and her children went on to live free in Washington, subsisting on the weekly $1.50 that Ann’s still enslaved husband was able to provide for his family. This inquiry and the compelling question seeks to address the autonomy that enslaved African Americans had, and the question of what freedom meant to Anna.
9-12
The Heart of Social Studies
Inquiries
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In November of 1815, an enslaved woman known only as Anna jumped out of a third floor window in Washington DC in what was assumed to be a suicide attempt. Presumed dead, abolitionists used her story to expose the harsh realities of slavery and advocate for better treatment of slaves. In 2015, the Oh Say…
This inquiry leads students through an investigation of fair trade. By investigating the compelling question “Is Fair Trade Fair?” students evaluate the rise of fair trade as it relates to several specialty industries; such as the coffee industry. The formative performance tasks build on knowledge and skills through the course of the inquiry and helps…
This inquiry leads students through an investigation of whether polling can be trusted. By investigating the compelling question “Can Polls Be Trusted?” students evaluate what polls are, how they are used, and how we are growing more confused by them. The formative performance tasks build on knowledge and skills through the course of the inquiry…
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This inquiry leads students through an examination of whether there is a time limit on pursuing justice in decades-old civil rights-era lynching cases. By investigating the compelling question “Is it ever too late for justice?” students evaluate primary sources about the murder of Emmett Till and address the issue of whether the passage of time…
This inquiry leads students through an investigation of taxation in the United States. By investigating the compelling question, “Do taxes help or hurt United States citizens?” students will evaluate the pros and cons of taxes on the citizens of the United States. Students will discover the different ways that the government collects taxes, how they…
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This inquiry leads students through an investigation of voting rights in America. By investigating the compelling question “Was the vote enough?” students evaluate both sides of the early twentieth century quest to expand suffrage to women. The formative performance tasks build on knowledge and skills through the course of the inquiry and help students determine…
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This inquiry leads students through an investigation of the Electoral College. By investigating the compelling question “Do we need the Electoral College?” students evaluate process the United States uses to select the president. The formative performance tasks help students build knowledge and practice skills through the course of the inquiry and support students as they…
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This inquiry leads students through an investigation of the impact of music on the progression of cultural change. By investigating the compelling question “Can Music Cause Cultural Change??” students evaluate the effect of music on social issues. The formative performance tasks build on knowledge and skills through the course of the inquiry and help students…
This inquiry leads students through an investigation of the intensification of economic inequality. By exploring the compelling question “Can we afford the super-rich?” students evaluate the historical trends and consider the epidemiological, political, and socio-environmental consequences of escalating economic inequality. The formative performance tasks build on knowledge and skills through the course of the inquiry…
This inquiry leads students through an investigation of personal liberties vs. public safety. By investigating the compelling question “Should safety outweigh freedom?” students evaluate the constitutionality of government actions that originate from a desire to protect the American public. The formative performance tasks build on knowledge and skills through the course of the inquiry and…