This is a great class activity for the block schedule. In it, students prepare a paper-slide video about a region or issue leading to sectionalism in the United States during the antebellum era. They think they are just making a video, but in reality, they have to develop a thoughtful script that clearly answers the question of whether their topic generates a sense of nationalism or sectionalism, and why!
The assignment sheet comes with all of the steps necessary to complete the project, including a template for students to fill-in as they plan. Students will likely be able to use their phones to take video, but you'll want to plan ahead for your school's electronic policies and your student audience. Included is a link to other videos if you'd like to share a sample, as well as an example of a script I used (that was also a way of sneaking in a mini-lecture about the changing nature of work during this time)!