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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Nation Divided: Why Couldn't They Just Get Along?

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders examine both perspectives of the Civil War as related to the differing economies. In this nation divided lesson, 4th graders view primary sources, examine paper money and a political chart, and review recruitment posters. 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Look at Virginians During Reconstruction

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders examine slavery and Reconstruction in Virginia. In this Virginians during Reconstruction lesson, 4th graders research primary sources for the story of William Jasper and other slaves. Students hypothesize how rights became...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Rise and Fall of the Jim Crow Era

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore African American history by researching the Jim Crow laws. In this Civil Rights lesson, students define the Jim Crow laws, the reasons they were put into place, and how they were ultimately defeated. Students write a...
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Interactive
Curated OER

Reconstruction (1865–1877)

For Students 7th - 12th
In this online interactive history quiz worksheet, students respond to 50 multiple choice questions about the Reconstruction Era. Students may submit their answers to be scored.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Segregation

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Learners consider the implications of prejudice. In this segregation lesson, students experience a simulation that has school staff favoring learners with blue eyes. Students discuss the simulation experience, watch "The Eye of the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

“Will I or Won’t I?” Colonel Robert Gould Shaw, 54th Massachusetts Regiment

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students discover the story of the 54th Massachusetts Regiment. In this American Civil War lesson, students study the life of Robert Gould Shaw and the regiment he led. Students research primary and secondary sources to learn about the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Political and Cultural Road to the American Revolution

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Learners examine the Declaration of Independence. For this Revolutionary War lesson, students use primary sources to analyze how the creation of the Declaration of Independence lead to the development of the United States as an...
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Lesson Plan
Huntington Library

The Poetry and Prose of Langston Hughes

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders discover the poetry of Langston Hughes. In this social issues lesson plan, 11th graders experience the views of Langston Hughes. Students read Hughes' poetry and discuss the basic theme. Students evaluate the political,...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Understanding Reconstruction in South Carolina

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders interpret historical evidence presented in primary and secondary resources. In this Reconstruction lesson, 8th graders research the role of Reconstruction in South Carolina by simulating the environment of East Bay Street...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

No Day

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students learn about discrimination and the Jim Crow laws. In this discrimination lesson, students are presented with new classroom rules that discriminate against certain types of clothing. Students discuss the effects of the new rules...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Latinos and the Fourteenth Amendment: A Primary Document Activity

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students explore Latinos and the Fourteenth Amendment. In this government and law lesson, students analyze the ruling in Hernandez v. Texas. Students predict how the United States would be different if the court had made an alternated...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Battle Over Reconstruction: The Aftermath of War

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars explore public sentiment regarding Reconstruction. In this Reconstruction lesson, students analyze primary sources for evidence of the political, social and economic stability of the U.S. following the Civil War. Young...
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Lesson Plan
Stanford University

Reconstruction Structured Academic Controversy (SAC)

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Young scholars debate whether African Americans were free during Reconstruction. In this debate instructional activity, learners use primary documents to support their argument as to whether African American were free during the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Civil Rights through Photographs

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students examine why racial tensions continued after laws were put into place to try and create equal treatment.  In this two part Civil Rights lesson, students explored the causes of the movement through photography and a PowerPoint...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Where Do We Go From Here?

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders examine the impact of Reconstruction on South Carolina. In this Reconstruction lesson, 8th graders use primary documents to research sharecropping and freedman's contracts in the agricultural South following the end of...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Traveling Southern Style: A Lesson on the Jim Crow Laws

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders create a poster of a travel route. In this discrimination lesson, 3rd graders read The Gold Cadillac and use it to discuss the problems African Americans faced while traveling south in the 1950's. Students compare three...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Battle Over Reconstruction: The Aftermath of Reconstruction

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the Reconstruction Era. In this American history activity, students explore the condition of the United States following the Civil War as they read statistical data. Students analyze the Reconstruction policies to...
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Lesson Plan
National First Ladies' Library

The History of Jim Crow: Legal Racism in America

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed
Students study the history and culture of Jim Crow, as well as the scope of Jim Crow laws across the United States. They consider the concepts of terror and triumph with respect to the history of Jim Crow, the recognition of evidence of...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Freedmen's Bureau

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Young scholars examine the African American experience after they received their freedom after the Civil War. They complete a Mind Map, read and analyze a poem, and write a paragraph using key vocabulary words. They analyze the impact of...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Reconstruction

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Learners explain how the Civil War and Reconstruction both solved and created problems for our nation. They study how Reconstruction caused a further decline in relations between the North & South and how racism has been and is...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

An Analysis of Jim Crow Laws and their Effects on Race Relations

For Teachers 1st
First graders analyze the role of the Jim Crow laws on race relations. As a class, they are segregated based on the color shirt they have or some other simple criteria and wear either a square or circle sticker representing the majority...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Backward Lesson Plan

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore and analyze the position of freedmen in the post Civil War period as well as the impact of Andrew Johnson's presidency on Reconstruction. In addition, they evaluate the laws and amendments that were put in place during...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Post Civil Way Reconstruction

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders research different documents pertaining to the reconstruction era. They present their findings to the class in structured presentations and unstructured discussions. Students compare and contrast their findings about...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

"Jazz is About Collaboration": Jim Crow Laws And Segregation

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore development of jazz music in the 1930s by forming imaginary jazz bands which tour several cities in Depression-era America. Jazz band members create imaginary identities for themselves, develop publicity for their tour,...