Name: Johnson, Karen
E-mail: foodwithkaren@hotmail.com
Topic: Why Move the Capital?
Grade: 4
Time: 1-2
Ark. Hist. Framework: 6.1.5.
Objective: The learner will be able to identify locations of the former and
present state capital as well as reasons for it being moved.
Set: Review Arkansas Territory and history of Arkansas
Post. Pose question: What is the capital of Arkansas?
Materials: Arkansas History Text; Arkansas Territory
maps. Brochure: History of the Old State House
Key Terms: legislature; statehood; constitution;
facades; deterioration; architecture; historic
archeology
Key Facts: Arkansas Post was in the Delta which made for difficult and
mosquito infested travel. The legislature thought a more central location
would be better for the capital. They, Territory Legislature, decided on a
spot discovered by Bernard de la Harpe, Little Rock. The State House bean
to be built in 1833, yet remained unfinished until 1842. It was based on
the Greek Revival style. As the needs for the new state (1836) changed, so
did the capital. By 1911, a new capital building was built. The Old
State House used to face the opposite direction.
Activities: Read Lesson 2. Chart: What influenced
the legislature to move to find better spaces? Locate AR Post and Little
Rock on the map. Pose question: Why was the move necessary or not?
Share with partner.
Field Trip: Old State House
Closure: Make sure ALL students know Little Rock is the capital
of Arkansas. We made a chart explaining reasons for the move to Little
Rock. Pose question: Why did Arkansas Territory move the capital
from Arkansas Post to Little Rock?
(Positive Affirmation)
Assessment: After the field trip:
You are a legislater from Hempstead county. WHY or WHY NOT do you believe
the capital should be moved? REMEMBER, Arkansas is not a state yet.
Write a paragraph explaining your reasons. (Grade using a rubric that has
been reviewed with students BEFORE having them write.)
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