Last updated: September 22, 2023
Lesson Plan
The Highland Scots
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- Grade Level:
- Middle School: Sixth Grade through Eighth Grade
- Subject:
- Social Studies
- Lesson Duration:
- 30 Minutes
- State Standards:
- 8.B.1.2 Explain how cultural values, practices and the interactions of various indigenous, religious, and racial groups have influenced the development of North Carolina and the nation.
- Additional Standards:
- 8.G.1.4 Explain the reasons for and effects of forced and voluntary migration on various groups in North Carolina and the nation
- Thinking Skills:
- Analyzing: Break down a concept or idea into parts and show the relationships among the parts. Evaluating: Make informed judgements about the value of ideas or materials. Use standards and criteria to support opinions and views.
Essential Question
Why did many of the Highland Scots join with the Loyalists in the leadup to the Battle of Moores Creek Bridge?
Objective
To discover the important role that the Highland Scots played at the Battle of Moores Creek Bridge and the development of North Carolina.
Background
Students will learn about the Highland Scots' immigration to North Carolina by reading a passage and completing two charts (one showing push/pull factors that led to immigration and one comparing/contrasting the Highlands and North Carolina).
Preparation
Students will view a painting that depicts the Battle of Moore’s Creek Bridge. They will share what they notice, make predictions, and ask questions. It may be helpful for the teacher to allow students to look at the image with no context and discuss their first impressions, then give students more information or ask more questions. Questions might include:
● What do you notice the men in the painting wearing? (Point out the kilts and hats--traditional Scottish attire.)
● What is the man on the left doing? (Playing the bagpipes, a Scottish instrument)
● What weapons do they have? (Swords and muskets)
● What is in the background? (A bridge with the planks removed)
Materials
A list of the push and pull factors that led Highlanders to relocate to North Carolina.
Download Push and Pull Factor Worksheet
A short article about the Highland Scots, modified from an article in the Tar Heel Junior Historian.
Download Highland Scots Reading
A painting depicting the harrowing crossing of Moores Creek Bridge by the Scottish Highlanders.
Download Moores Creek Bridge Painting
Procedure
Students will learn about the Highland Scots’ immigration to North Carolina by reading a passage and completing two charts (one showing the push/pull factors that led to immigration and one comparing/contrasting the Highlands and North Carolina).
Using differentiation, have the students read the modified Highland Scots article located in the resource section. The full article can be found here. Have the students explore some of the links in the article.
Students will participate in a class discussion on what it was like to be a Scottish immigrant in the 1700s and how it was like or unlike the modern immigrant experience. The teacher may draw a Venn diagram on the board and fill it in as students discuss.
Vocabulary
Highlanders - a person from the Highlands of Scotland, located farther north and west than the Scottish Lowlands, stretching south to the border with England. (Can be slightly modified)
Immigrate - to come to a country of which one is not a native, usually for permanent residence.
Push and pull factors - These factors are what pushes people away from a location and what draws them to move to a new location.