Lesson Plan
Curated OER

White Southerners' Defense of Slaveholding

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students read transcriptions of articles from two historical Virginian newspapers and examine how white southerners defended the institution of slavery. They write a one-act play or a dialogue between an abolitionist and a slaveholder.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What Does This Song Really Say?

For Teachers 3rd - 7th
Students investigate communication by analyzing lyrics from a song. In this music arts lesson, students discuss slavery, the Underground Railroad and African American traditions while listening to a song called "This Train." Students...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Underground Railroad

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders reflect on their knowledge of the Underground Railroad.  For this slavery lesson, 4th graders discuss slavery and watch a video.  Students complete a K-W-L chart after discussion and reading, as well as, a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Freedom for All? The Contradictions of Slavery and Freedom in the Maryland

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students are be able to analyze the contrast between the rights and privileges referenced in the Declaration of Independence and the Maryland State Constitution in comparison to the rights and privileges of slaves. They are be able to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Great "What If" Question. How might American history have been different had Lincoln lived?

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders study the Presidency of Abraham Lincoln.  In this American History lesson, 11th graders analyze documents related to Reconstruction.  Students participate in a debate on Reconstruction.  
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Morgan's Raid in Ohio

For Teachers 2nd - 8th
Students examine the cause, effect, and impact of Morgan's Ohio raid during the Civil War. They complete unit sections on the raid, dates, viewpoints, results, and historic markers.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Fighting for Democracy, Fighting for Me

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students consider how African American responded to social injustice. In this social injustice lesson, students compare and contrast the visions of Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. DuBois for obtaining civil rights for African Americans.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Inventors & Trailblazers

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students are introduced to a groups of African American inventors. In groups, they research the role of each person in improving different industries. They also examine the barriers African Americans faced from the Civil War to the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

History Through Picture Books and Photographs

For Teachers 1st
First graders become familiar with historical figures central to the Underground Railroad and anti-slavery.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Voyage to Freedom - What Does It Mean?

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders investigate the Underground Railroad by creating a quilt.  In this U.S. History instructional activity, 5th graders discuss the history of slavery through a class "word splash" and by reading an Underground Railroad...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Attitudes Toward Emancipation

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students read the Emancipation Proclamation and investigate steps that led to its signing. They read and discuss period news articles from both sides of the argument and create portfolios of documentation supporting both sides.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Underground Railroad

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders use internet cites to explore the Underground Railroad. They also learn the importance of the Emancipation Proclamation. Focus questions are included.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lincoln, the Great Emancipator?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars examine the motivating factors that prompted Lincoln to draft the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863. They examine Lincoln's social and political beliefs, particularly as they pertained to slavery and race in the United...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Free Market Labor vs. Slave Labor

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students summarize support for free market labor vs. slave labor in antebellum America. They explain how existing economic conditions influence support for free market labor vs. slave labor.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What is the Meaning of This?

For Teachers 5th - 8th
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...
Lesson Plan
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US House of Representatives

“The Fifteenth Amendment in Flesh and Blood,” The Symbolic Generation of Black Americans in Congress, 1870–1887

For Teachers 7th - 12th
The reading of a contextual essay launches a study of Black Americans who served in Congress from 1870 through 1887. Young historians identify the African Americans who served during this period, investigate the ways they won national...
Lesson Plan
American Battlefield Trust

Emancipation 1861 to 1863

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Academics read newspaper articles from 1861 to 1863 regarding Emancipation and answer questions to understand how public opinion changed over time and why. The activity provides scholars with good historical context and the vocabulary...
Lesson Plan
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Facing History and Ourselves

Violence and Backlash

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Revolution and counterrevolution. Protest and counter-protest. Collaborators and bystanders. The focus of the fifth resource in the Reconstruction Era and Fragility of Democracy series is on the political violence that followed Radical...
Lesson Plan
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Facing History and Ourselves

A Contested History

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Memories of and interpretations of history change—that's the key takeaway from a lesson plan that has young historians compare the story of the Reconstruction Era as told by the historians of the Dunning School to the view of scholars...
Lesson Plan
PBS

History of Juneteenth and Why It’s Now a National Holiday

For Teachers 6th - 12th
June 19 is now a United States federal holiday. Young historians examine the background of the first Juneteenth celebrations and why on June 15, 2021, Congress finally approved "Juneteenth National Independence Day" as a federal holiday.
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.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Diverse Voices - African American Ventures

For Teachers 4th - 6th
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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Keeping in Touch

For Teachers 9th - 11th
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.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

This Guilty Land

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners investigate the actions and motives of John Brown. In this abolition activity, students discover details about Brown's background as a free-state and abolition supporter. Learners discuss his role as that of a martyr or...

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