Curated OER
Go Down Moses
Fifth graders investigate the workings of the Underground Railroad. In this slavery lesson, 5th graders read personal accounts from slaves, examine secret codes of the Underground Railroad, and play a board game based on the trip many...
Curated OER
They're Only Children
Third graders compare how the lives of African American slave children differed from children's lives today. In this analysis of slavery lesson, 3rd graders evaluate and discuss the conditions of slavery in collaborative groups....
Curated OER
Low-country Rice Planting and Cooking
Eighth graders compare the use of rice in the 1700s to the modern use of rice. In this lesson examining the importance of rice in US history, 8th graders learn about the role of rice in the early 1700s and compare the use of rice in...
Curated OER
Steps to Freedom
Students complete discussion and reading comprehension activities for the novel Almost to Freedom by Vaunda Micheax Nelson. In this African American history instructional activity, students discuss the Underground Railroad and complete a...
Curated OER
Sunken Slave Ship
Students imagine they are archaeologists who are looking for treasure under the sand or sea. They work in teams to create the story and site of a shipwreck in a tub or aquarium filled with sand and water.
Curated OER
The Trading Post with the Most: Colonial Dorchester's Settlement and Economy
Eighth graders explore the Dorchester settlement, For this American colonial history lesson, 8th graders examine primary resources and maps from the Dorchester trading post in order to learn about its contributions to the...
Curated OER
Daily Lives of Slaves - What Really Happened?
Learners explore the varieties of slave life in antebellum America. They research various sources to examine the relationships between masters, overseers, and plantation hands. Students identify and describe the conflicts between...
Curated OER
VA History Mini-quiz - Women and Africans arrive in Jamestown
For this Virginia history worksheet, students examine their knowledge of Jamestown once women and Africans arrived there as they answer 13 multiple choice questions.
Curated OER
Living and Working Now and Long Ago
Learners visit an online museum and storybook to examine what life was like for African Americans during and after the Civil War.
Curated OER
North and South
Students study the Civil War and the changes it brought to our country. They examine some of Robert E. Lee's accomplishments and the contributions he made as president to Washington and Lee University. They make a map showing which...
Curated OER
The Land and Other Books: Mildred Taylor
Students read summaries of the books written by the author Mildred Taylor. In this summaries lesson plan, students read the summaries of 6 books and answer discussion questions about them after they read them.
Curated OER
Arkansas and the Civil Rights Movement
For this Arkansas reading comprehension worksheet, students read a 2-page selection regarding the state and the Civil Rights Movement and they answer 10 true or false questions pertaining to the selection.
Curated OER
The Emancipation Proclamation Through Different Eyes
Students examine how various segments of the American population viewed the Emancipation Proclamation. They read the Emancipation Proclamation, analyze key terms and statements in the document, and participate in a debate.
Curated OER
Gullah Contributions to South Carolina History
Learners research the Gullah people and their impact on South Carolina. For this South Carolina history lesson, students study, locate, and color the region of Africa the Gullah people came from. Learners listen to Gullah music and watch...
Curated OER
Harriet Tubman
Students investigate Harriet Tubman. In this African-American lesson, students read the book A Picture Book of Harriet Tubman and discuss how she was a conductor of the Underground Railroad. Students identify the leadership qualities she...
Curated OER
Southern Agriculture and the Slave Trade
Students examine the relationship between agriculture and the slave trade during the 1860s. In groups, they research how two factors led to the explosion of slavery in the Southern United States. Using maps, they answer comprehension...
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.
National Endowment for the Humanities
From Courage to Freedom: The Reality behind the Song
Young scholars study how Frederick Douglass uses language to describe a realistic picture of slavery in his writings which are primary source documents. They examine his use of word choice, imagery, irony, and rhetorical appeals and use...
Curated OER
The Civil War 1850–1865
In this online interactive history worksheet, students respond to 10 short answer questions about the American Civil War. Students may check some of their answers on the interactive worksheet.
Curated OER
Forest Joe Lesson Plan: Outlaw or Hero?
Students become familiar with an American legend that is unfamiliar to many. Presented with the legend of Forest Joe, a runaway slave who, much like Robin Hood, stole from the rich to give to the poor, students draw comparisons and...
Curated OER
Abraham Lincoln
Students discuss key events of Abraham Lincoln's life. In this Civil War lesson, students discuss the major events of Abraham Lincoln's life and role during this time through a song.
Curated OER
Of Human Bondage
How does the particular point of view in a situation affect the way it is presented? Focusing on perspectives on slavery during the Civil War, middle schoolers use research to write narratives from the points of view of their historical...
Prestwick House
Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass
Take a moment in your language or social studies class to review key terms and details from Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass. A quick crossword puzzle allows learners to check understanding before a larger unit, test, or...
Curated OER
Harriet Tubman: Civil War Spy
Add engaging new material to Harriet Tubman and Civil War curricula with a crisply designed, two-page reading about the famous abolitionist. The text details a military raid she led against the Confederate army, informs readers about Tom...