8th GradeFlorida History

How Miami-Dade County got its Name

Essential Question

How didMiami-Dade county get its name?

How Miami-Dade County got its Name

Florida literacy Standards Alignment:

LAFS.68.WHST.1.2Write informative/explanatory texts, including the narration of historical events, scientific procedures/ experiments, or technical processes.

LAFS.68.WHST.3.9Draw evidence from informational texts to support analysis reflection, and research.

NGSSS -Social Science Standards Alignment:

SS.8.A.2.1Compare the relationships among the British, French, Spanish, and Dutch in their struggle for colonization of North America.

SS.8.A.2.5Discuss the impact of colonial settlement on Native American populations.

Topic: How Miami Dade County got Its Name

Essential Question

How did Miami-Dade County get its name?

Learning Goals

Students will understand why Dade County was named after Major Francis Dade.

Overview

After reading a new clipping about The Dade Massacre, the students will complete a Primary Sources Analysis graphic organizer.

Background information

Dade County (today Miami-Dade County) was named after Major Francis Langhorne Dade. Monday, December 28, 1835, He along with over 100 men under his command wereannihilated by Seminole forces in Central Florida during The Second Seminole Wars while attempting to resupply and reinforce Fort King (present-day Ocala). The Seminoles in Florida had grown increasingly furious at attempts by the U.S. army to forcefully relocate them out of Florida. They attacked Dade’s forces. Among the Seminoles were Black men who joined (or whose descendants joined) the Seminoles in Florida after escaping enslavement in the United States. Today multiple cities and counties in the United States are named in honor of Dade: Miami-Dade County, Florida; Dade County, Georgia; Dade County, Missouri; Dadeville, Alabama; and Dade City, Florida.

Materials

  • Reading Passage: The Last of Major Dade’s Command
  • Images of the first battle of the Seminole Wars
  • Graphic Organizer – The 6 Cs of Primary Sources

Activity Sequence

Introduction (2 minutes)

Briefly talk to the students about the Dade Massacre and where Dade-County (today Miami-Dade County) gets its name. (2 minutes)

Activity (8 minutes)

1.Read the article “The Last of Major Dade’s Command”and have the students follow along. Discuss and explain any complex words used in the text. The article is located on the following web page: (5 minutes)

2.Fill in the Primary Source Analysis Graphic Organizer with the assistance of the students.(5 minutes)

Closure(3 minutes)

  1. Based on what we have read and learned, what did Major Dade believe before the attack? How do you know?
  2. How are the Seminoles and Blacks described? Do you believe this was a fair description?
  3. Why do you believe Seminoles and Blacks were portrayed the way that they were in the article?
  4. Considering all of the events that took place, do you believe it was a good idea naming a county of Florida after Major Dade? Why or why not?

Optional Extension

Primary Source Analysis assignment on “Massacre of the Whites by the Indians and Blacks in Florida.” Document found at the following web page:

References for links

Reading:

Source:

Source:

Graphic Organizers:

DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SCIENCES