Untold Stories Project: A Multicultural Journey Through American History

Project Overview: In this case study project, students will embark on a comprehensive exploration of one of the following minority/marginalized groups that have been historically omitted from or misrepresented in the standard secondary school curriculum. By focusing on one of the five key minority groups – Native Americans, African Americans, Mexican/Chicanx Americans*, Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Americans*, and European Immigrants, and Muslim Americans and Middle Eastern/Arab Americans* – students will gain a deeper understanding of the contributions, struggles, and experiences of these communities at four distinct time periods: Pre-1900, 1900-1930, 1930-Post WWII, and 1970-Present. When I taught this case study, I made it a semester long Project-Based Project, however you can tailor the timing and time frame to fit the needs of your students and your classroom. This product includes a Project Overview for Teachers with links to research guides, handouts, peer reviews, rubrics, templates and examples.

Project Goals:

• To foster cultural awareness and appreciation among students.
• To empower students to research and present historical information effectively.
• To highlight the often-overlooked stories and contributions of minority/marginalized groups in American history.
• To develop critical thinking and analytical skills through historical research and analysis.

Project Phases

• Phase 1: Introduction to the Project
• Phase 2: Research
• Phase 3: Presentation Preparation
• Phase 4: TED Talk Presentation
• Phase 5: Reflection Paper
• Phase 6: Virtual Museum Exhibit

*Although these groups of people are combined for this project, it is important to note that there are subgroups within them that should be acknowledged and could be studied in isolation.