Heroes and Villains

The overarching goal of this project was to capture the spirit of reform in the tenth grade Global History classes as students analyzed various historical figures through the lens of social reform. While all the figures may not fit neatly into our minds as social reformers, it is important to note that individuals enact change for a host of different reasons. Thus, students focused not only on the goals of the reformers, but on the methods of reform as they analyzed and evaluated their historical figures. For example, a student might evaluate Robespierre’s role in the French Revolution and not only note the goals of the revolution for France, but also focus on the means of change—in this case public murder by guillotine. The tenth grade students’ Regents Exam in June requires students’ writing to move from description to evaluation and in many ways this project taught students the tools and skills necessary to develop analytical and evaluative skills through writing.