Slavery is a serious topic that can be challenging for middle schoolers to study. Young scholars can see firsthand through primary sources what occurred during that time period in the United States. The third of five lessons provides...

Was Thomas Jefferson a hypocrite? Tackle this question with primary source analysis and an essay. The packet includes historical background, a writing prompt, a combined outline and checklist, and ten primary documents paired with...

How did black Americans contribute to colonial society in the United States and make active choices to exert some control over their lives as slaves? Explore the often overlooked yet incredibly important roles of Africans and African...

In theory, at least, indentured servitude and slavery were two different practices in the American colonies. Class groups conduct a close reading of two primary source documents, one written by a slave and one by an indentured servant,...

Pay tribute to the sixteenth president of the United States with this fun song and activity. From his birth in a Kentucky log cabin and childhood in Indiana, to the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation and his eventual assassination,...

The history of the northern states' involvement in the slave trade is not widely known. This resource uses the PBS documentary, Traces of the Trade, and the nonfiction book, Children of the New England Slave Trade, to examine this aspect...

Put on your stove pipe hat and step into the shoes of Abraham Lincoln with the first in this series of three reader's theater scripts. From a press conference and personal conversation with his wife, to his famous "Gettysburg Address,"...

This resource is rich with primary and secondary source material regarding major events in the Atlantic world during the Age of Revolution. While there are suggested classroom activities toward the beginning of the resource, its true...

"A house divided against itself cannot stand," Abraham Lincoln famously said. This video series is aged and the sound cracks occasionally, but it does provide accurate information and visual imagery. This is part one of three.

What is sectionalism? A loyalty to the interest of one's region, or sectionalism, is really what sparked the Civil War. Learn about the South's attempt at expanding slavery westward and the power struggle between the two regions...

The physical and economic depression of the post-war South was discouraging to Southerners. Reconstruction was inevitable but exhausting. Learn about life in the South after the war. This resource provides a lot of education, but it...

This resource was made to review a study guide created by this teacher. He covers a lot of basic information relating to the Civil War, so consider making your own study guide to go along with this resource. He is engaging and appeals to...

A quiet, serene town in Pennsylvania became the setting for an integral battle in the Civil War. The Battle of Gettysburg, Lee's second invasion of the North, failed to secure ground for the Confederacy. This video, part two in a series,...

“Nobody knows de trouble I’ve had/Nobody knows but Jesus/Nobody know de trouble I’ve had/Glory hallelu!” What do slave songs reveal about the role of religion in the lives of slaves? Class members read “An Introduction to the Church in...

In this social studies worksheet, 5th graders answer multiple choice questions about World War II, the transcontinental railroad, slavery, and more. Students complete 25 questions.

If you've just covered a lot of territory in your social studies class and need a great cumulative review, look no further. Here is a hand out that includes 71 questions on 10 pages all related to slavery, the Civil War, Westward...

Foster reader confidence when encountering complex text and reinforce the skills readers have acquired to build and extend their understanding of text. The plan uses a section of Douglass’ narrative as an exemplar text. Directions for...

Young scholars examine the St. John slave revolt of 1733. In this slavery and apartheid instructional activity, students view the DVD "Slavery, Society, and Apartheid." Young scholars respond to discussion questions regarding the content...

Showcase the religion, conflicts, daily life, and politics of Colonial North America. A very well-done presentation highlights all the major colonial groups, social norms, demographics, and political struggles of the time. Perfect for an...

Young scholars view and analyze various artists' representations of slavery. They create their own illustrations of slavery.

Students examine geometric quilt patterns to identify how math may have been used to help slaves escape to freedom. They slide, flip and turn geometric shapes to create a map quilt.

Middle schoolers read one of the most important documents in our nation's history: The Emancipation Proclamation of 1863. After everyone reads the proclamation, they set out to write a "You Were There" type of report on it. They pretend...

Students develop computer research skills while searching facts about Harriet Tubman. Students learn about ways in which Harriet Tubman's childhood influenced her future. Students learn to use primary documents to learn about the...

Students investigate African American culture by reading aloud an African folk tale and illustrating the tale. They use their illustrations to create a book or a bulletin board that retells the folk tale.