Curated OER
The Underground Railroad
Students examine slavery and the civil war by creating a research project. In this underground railroad lesson, students create a KWL chart and decide on one of several creative projects they will complete about slavery....
Curated OER
Abolition and the Underground Railroad in Essex County
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....
Curated OER
Push and Pull Factors: Tug O' War
Learners analyze the factors that led to migration in the 19th century including the forces that drew people to resettle as well as to return a place where they previously lived.
West Virginia Department of Education
The Debate - John Brown: Martyr or Madman?
Did he die for a cause, or was he crazy? Although the resource discusses John Brown and West Virginia history, many historical figures have the same reputation. Teach learners about different perspectives and highlight the importance of...
Curated OER
Abraham Lincoln and the U.S. Constitution
Students investigate President Abraham Lincoln's use of the U.S. Constitution and its importance to the Civil War. For this US history lesson, students read text about President Lincoln and the US Constitution. Students examine the...
Curated OER
Abraham Lincoln: Preserving the Union (2 Parts)
Students examine the life and times of Abraham Lincoln. They explore the trials and tribulations of the Civil War, and the problem of slavery that destroyed the Union. They also explore the man behind the image of the 16th president.
Curated OER
Who is Robert M. Glass? - Black History Month
Pupils research the role of African Americans during the each of the United States' wars. For this African American history lesson, students research information and statistics about the role of African Americans in the following wars:...
Curated OER
Frederick Douglas and Abraham Lincoln
Students discuss the significance of the announcement of the Emancipation Proclamation and the assassination of Lincoln. They analyze how historians use evidence and develop differing interpretations. Students examine historical bias and...
Curated OER
A New Birth of Freedom: Black Soldiers in the Union Army
Young scholars use primary documents to analyze the events surrounding black soldiers joining the Union Army. In this content area reading lesson, students view multiple primary documents, analyzing and answering questions about them.
Curated OER
Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad
Students examine Harriet Tubman's contribution to the Underground Railroad. They read and discuss an excerpt from the book "The Tamarack Tree," listen to the CD for the book "Follow the Drinking Gourd," and write a journal response from...
Curated OER
Sectionalism and the Kansas-Nebraska Act
Students define and discuss sectionalism and popular sovereignty, analyze impact of popular sovereignty in creation of state of Kansas, compare issues in territorial Kansas to current politically divisive topic, and evaluate primary...
Curated OER
Attitudes About Slavery in Franklin County, Pennsylvania
Students examine the historical attitudes towards slavery in Pennsylvania. They read transcriptions from two Pennsylvania newspapers and compare/contrast the county's Republican and Democratic Parties' positions on slavery.
Curated OER
The Great Debate Lesson Plan: Slavery in the U.S. Constitution
Middle schoolers examine the U.S. Constitution to see what has been writte about slavery. Then, students, in groups, research the Constitutional Convention of 1787 to explore slavery compromises.
Curated OER
What is the Meaning of This?
Learners explore cause and effect and relate it to a historical event. They research the meaning behind the symbols and images used on the Indian Head Cent and the events that were occurring during the time the Indian Head cent was...
Curated OER
Underground Railroad Role Play
Students experience what the Underground Railroad was really like by role-playing as escaping slaves. They must travel to the North Star until they cross an imaginary line into Canada.
Curated OER
African American Community and Culture
Eighth graders explore the community of enslaved African Americans. For this American History lesson, 8th graders evaluate the importance of cultural expression in the black community. Students study the contributions made by...
Chicago Historical Society
Are We the People?
Taking on the roles of a fiery Boston patriot, a Philadelphia merchant's wife, and a prominent abolitionist, your young historians will consider the reactions of these early Americans to the creation of the Declaration of...
Curated OER
Before Rosa Parks: Ida B. Wells
The contributions of Ida B. Wells to the Civil Rights Movement are the focus of this social studies lesson. Middle schoolers read a handout regarding Wells, discuss the handout, and write about non-conformist behavior.
Curated OER
Slavery
Young scholars use primary and secondary source documents to look into the story of slavery told about "Pink". The original documents like a bill of sale for the slave is used for example. The students write notes about the research and...
Curated OER
SLAVERY IN ARKANSAS, THE LIFE OF A SLAVE
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.
Curated OER
Historical Puppet Play
Fourth graders analyze the book Train to Midnight, based on the Underground Railroad. They compose and perform a puppet play based on the book. Students perform and videotape their puppet plays.
Curated OER
Carolina Gold and the Gullah
Eighth graders investigate the physical geography of South Carolina to explore how it was suited for growing rice. They examine how slave labor contributed to a plantations success and compare Gullah culture from now to the past.
Curated OER
Diverse Voices - African American Ventures
Students research African American history and the Underground Railroad. In this African American history lesson, students discuss the Drinking Gourd. Students read 'If You Traveled the Underground Railroad' and discuss. Students work in...
Curated OER
Keeping in Touch
Students read about the Northern Migration of African Americans in the 19th century, and create an eight panel cartoon depicting the means of communication between freed slaves in the North and those still enslaved in the South.