Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Music-Follow the Drinking Gourd

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders study the song "Follow the Drinking Gourd." For this dance lesson, 4th graders listen to the book by the same name, listen to the music, and in small groups create a short dance illustrating a stanza from the song.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Constitutional Resources

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Students explore the REpublican Era and the writing of the constitution and Billof Rights through various links and activities included in this collection.
Worksheet
Curated OER

The Underground Railroad

For Students 3rd - 4th
In this American history learning exercise, students read a selection about the Underground Railroad and answer 3 multiple choice, 3 true / false and 2 fill in the blank questions.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Unsung Military Heroes

For Teachers 9th - 12th
In this instructional activity, students are introduced to the contributions made by African-American soldiers that have been excluded from traditional textbooks. To gain an appreciation for these unsung heroes, students engage in...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Slave Narratives

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Young scholars use a database to find and read examples of slave narratives. In groups, they read the various narratives and discuss their feelings about them. They also research the time period in which the narratives were written to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Abolition and the Underground Railroad in Essex County

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders investigate the end of slavery and the hidden paths slaves used to travel.  In this U.S. history lesson, 5th graders examine the travel routes slaves used in Essex County known as the Underground Railroad....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Stowe's Reviewers

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Young scholars read, evaluate and respond to both positive and negative reviews of Harriet Beecher Stow's, Uncle Tom's Cabin.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Molly Brown and the Titanic History Lesson

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Young scholars practice using their reading comprehension skills by reading about Molly Brown and the Titanic. They answer questions related to the reading to test for comprehension.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Music: Follow the Drinking Gourd

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders use movement to express a concept. In this interdisciplinary activity, 4th graders listen to the book, Follow the Drinking Gourd, which demonstrates the types of 'communication' used by slaves traveling the Underground...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Missouri's Early Slave Laws: Missouri's Early Slave Laws:

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Young scholars analyze and discuss various documents relating to slavery in Missouri in the 1830's and 1840's. They learn why some records are deemed to be of permanent, historical value to the state.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Slavery and the Legal Status of Free Blacks: Rhetorical Analysis of Debates During the 1847 Illinois Constitutional Convention

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders read actual arguments regarding the status of free blacks in Illinois and slavery in the United States more generally.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

SLAVERY IN ARKANSAS, THE LIFE OF A SLAVE

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners participate in a variety of activities to demonstrate an understanding of mid 1800 role of slaves. Vocabulary, writing and math are integrated into the lesson.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Daily Language

For Students 6th - 7th
For this Language Arts worksheet, students correct a sentence, circle the adjectives in another sentence, and underline the main verb and circle the helping verb in another. Students also write an essay about how slavery is wrong.
Unit Plan
Other

New York Historical Society: New York Divided Slavery and the Civil War

For Students 9th - 10th
Visit this virtual museum exhibit to learn about New York City's divided opinions about slavery before and during the Civil War. There are three themes covered: Pro-Southern City, Fighting Slavery, and Civil War. Students use a...
PPT
Virginia History Series

Virginia History Series: The American Civil War in Virginia [Pdf]

For Students 6th - 8th
The state of Virginia played a pivotal role in the Civil War. Trace the war from the beginning to the battles in Virginia, and to Lee's surrender through this comprehensive slideshow. Included are charts, maps and actual photography from...
Handout
The History Cat

The History Cat: Countdown to Civil War

For Students 9th - 10th
Describes the events leading up to the start of the American Civil War. Looks at clashes between pro- and anti-slavery groups, the Missouri Compromise of 1820, the fight over California, the Compromise of 1850, the Fugitive Slave Act,...
Graphic
Other

Vox: 37 Maps That Explain the American Civil War

For Students 9th - 10th
April 1865 was a momentous month in American history. On April 9, the Confederate army under Robert E. Lee surrendered to the Union forces of Ulysses S. Grant, effectively ending the Civil War. Then on April 14, the victorious President...
Primary
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: Primary Source Set: The American Abolitionist Movement

For Students 9th - 10th
A collection that uses primary sources to explore the American Abolitionist Movement.
Website
Other

Causes of the Civil War: A North Georgia Perspective

For Students 9th - 10th
Read about the causes of the Civil War from a southern perspective.
Primary
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: Primary Source Set: Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln

For Students 9th - 10th
This collection uses primary sources to compare and explore the relationships between Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln.
Website
University of Groningen

American History: Outlines: The Abolitionists

For Students 9th - 10th
Outline of the beginning of the Abolitionist Movement in a pre-Civil War America as part of the sectional conflict between the North and South.
Handout
Civil War Home

Home of the American Civil War: John Brown

For Students 9th - 10th
This website details the life of John Brown, the abolitionist, including his attack at Pottawatomie and the raid at Harpers Ferry. Information is from Historical Times Encyclopedia of the Civil War.
Handout
American Battlefield Trust

American Battlefield Trust: Civil War Biography: Frederick Douglass

For Students 9th - 10th
Biographical profile of Frederick Douglass is shared on this site. Links provide related lesson plans, connected texts, and content about other abolitionists.
Website
Library of Virginia

Death or Liberty: John Brown's Raid

For Students 9th - 10th
The Library of Virginia details John Brown's Raid on Harper's Ferry as a prelude to the U.S. Civil War. Content also lists various records and resources regarding John Brown's Raid held in the library.