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Summary and Objective
Using newspaper articles and other documents, students will understand that the Lyceum was an important community forum for discussing important local and national events, such as slavery. Students will compare the Lyceum to our modern ways of debating pressing issues.This activity would fit well with a unit on 19th Century social reform movements.
Teaching Plan
Step 1.
In the classroom, make a list of ways that we are able to discuss important issues with one another. Record answers on the board.
Step 2.
Log onto the American Centuries website and locate item #L02.137-"Greenfield Gazette and Franklin Herald, 1830." Find the section of the article entitled"Convention for Forming a County Lyceum." Identify the purpose of the Lyceum and issues to be discussed according to this article.
Step 3.
Locate the other three documents for this activity. For each, read the introductory paragraph as well as the document, using the "Show Text" icon. For each document, answer the following questions: Where is the Lyceum taking place? When? What are the issues being discussed? Which of the issues pertain to local affairs? National?
Step 4.
Upon completion of the on-line section of this activity, return to the classroom and compare your information to the list of ideas on the board from step one. Some possible follow-up questions to explore: How has the modern media influenced public debate? How have on-line chat rooms and other forms of electronic communication changed the face of public discourse?
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