Lesson Plan from Contemporary History

Contemporary History Pre-1900: Enlightenment

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to identify Enlightenment ideas in a modern context.
Length
One 45-minute period
Grade Level
High School

Materials

What Is the Enlightenment and How Did It Transform Politics?
Essential Events Before 1900
Contemporary History Pre-1900 High School Questions
Guided Reading Handout
Presentation

Homework

Class Plan

  1. (10 Minutes) Debrief Homework, focusing in particular on reviewing and defining the five influential ideas identified in the reading:
    1. Opposition to absolute monarchy
    2. Separation of powers
    3. Liberty and individual rights
    4. Equality
    5. Free-market capitalism
  2. (20 minutes)  A Look at Op-Eds: In groups, have students peruse Op-Ed articles and identify one that argues for (or against!) one of the five influential ideas.
  3. (15 minutes) Activity: Have each group post to a Padlet, Google Jamboard, or similar tool, where they:
    1. Include link to the op-ed article they found
    2. Identify the main argument of the op-ed
    3. Identify which of the five Enlightenment ideas is being discussed
    4. Support these identifications with quotations