The Unit
The Churchill and Jackson Ward areas of Richmond, VA were once called the Harlem of the South due to the vibrant African American culture, architecture, and music that once came out of the former capital of the Confederacy. These neighborhoods struggle with the problems of poverty, crime, and lack of upward mobility that plague most urban cities in the United States today. These two neighborhoods are also zoned for Armstrong High School, but most of my students are unfamiliar with that history.
The purpose of this unit is for the students to create a pictorial or video journal of the history of Richmond. The students will create a journal for the entire school year; however this unit will focus on the years 1800 – 1950. The journal will consist of images from the 19 th century and an analysis of the image by the student. They will learn techniques of how to analyze and break down images to place them in proper historical context. In addition, the students will include current images that have the same meaning to them or of the same place or monument from the 19 th century. The students will also learn modern research techniques to examine the history of their neighborhoods.
The primary focus will be on African American life in Richmond during the 19 th century. Students will examine and analyze photographs and paintings that depict life in Richmond during the 19 th century. The students will take several neighborhood field trips to places such as Lumpkin's Slave Jail and 17 th Street Farmers Market which were once the most important trading port in the United States during early 19 th century. Lumpkin's Jail was the place where Solomon Northrop, the author and protagonist of 12 Years a Slave, was held before he was sold into slavery in the Deep South. Students will also tour the Historic Churchill and Jackson Ward neighborhoods, and the Warehouse District to take digital pictures. In addition to visiting local history, students will examine famous artwork and photography from around the nation to understand the impact of the slave trade and agriculture industry on Richmond, Virginia.
The journal must include ten pictures and a one page explanation of the image. The journal must contain five new images not discussed in class. The journal can be created using Microsoft Word or Power point. The journal will demonstrate the skills necessary to analyze the pictures from the 19 th century. The journal will also include researched pictures of Jackson Ward during the 19 th and early 20 th century at the State Library of Virginia. Students will choose one picture from their research and they will compare and contrast it with a current picture of the same area taken during the tour. The journal will be a combination of 19 th and 20 th century skills combined with 21 st century technology to maximize student retention. These journals will be made electronically using programs such as Microsoft word, Power point and Windows Movie Maker. They will be published to the school website and be used as a part of the school's 150 year celebration next school year.
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