the lasting impact of the columbian exchange (unit 2 wrap up)

During Unit 2, students explored the positive and negative effects of the Columbian Exchange. Students studied European population booms due to the introduction of crops such as the potato, as well as the Transatlantic Slave Trade and the lasting effects of transporting 12+ million enslaved Africans to the New World. Students learned the power of language and the importance of using the term enslaved as opposed to slave and were able to describe the extent to which African peoples were dehumanized for profit. This unit culminated in a Socratic Seminar in which students completed pre-readings and exercises to participate in a whole-group conversation completely led by themselves. I was thoroughly impressed by how well students were able to abide by our socratic norms, namely in regulating themselves, using text-based evidence, and encouraging others to step back/up into the conversation. If you're interested in accessing the materials for this activity, visit my Teachers Pay Teachers site!

Elaf was clearly excited about my picture :)