Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Breaking Barriers

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students investigate racism in the 20th century by exploring U.S. History. In this Civil Rights lesson, students review the history of slavery, the Civil War and the fight for equality in the mid 1900's. Students complete Civil Rights...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Runaway Slaves, An American Experience

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders explore, analyze and study how one's personal experiences impact one's perspective and actions. They interpret ideas and events of slavery from the different perspectives of an abolitionist, slave owner, United States...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Charging into Battle with Hood's Texas Brigade

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders study the American Civil War and the contributions of Texans to the war effort. They read first-hand accounts of Joseph Polley, member of Hood's Texas Brigade and discuss his account of his first charge and what emotions...
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

ANTICIPATORY SET

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students are be able to analyze primary sources (photographs and speeches) and write a definition of American Democracy. They are shown a photograph of Martin Luther King Jr. by Ben Fernandez, students are asked what is happening in the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

VS.7a

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders explore, analyze and identify the events and differences between northern and southern states that divided Virginians and led to secession, war and the creation on West Virginia. They discuss the conflicts that developed...
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

Backward Lesson Plan

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers explore and analyze the position of freedmen in the post Civil War period as well as the impact of Andrew Johnson's presidency on Reconstruction. In addition, they evaluate the laws and amendments that were put in place...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Patchwork Path

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders investigate slavery by reading a book with their classmates. In this abolitionist movement lesson, 4th graders read the story The Patchwork Path, and discuss the creation of the Underground Railroad. Students create...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sojourner Truth, African American Woman of the 19th Century

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine Sojourner Truth's philanthropist acts during her life. They discover that everyone has the right to be heard by their government. They compare and contrast the woman's movement and the anti-slavery movement.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Underground Railroad Mini-Unit

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Students watch a film about slavery. Students view a PowerPoint about the Underground Railroad and use various resources to make a timeline for the topic. Students research a historical figure from the Underground Railroad era and give a...
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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

American Colonization Society Lesson Plan

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students read an article online "Colonization and Emigration" and break into debating groups. They research points that support their side, namely whether or not the American Colonization Society was for or against segregation. They...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Reliving History Through Slave Narratives

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students read slave narratives and retell the stories to the class, identifying sensory details. For this slavery lesson, students discuss the importance of sensory details, then read the slave narratives looking for specific examples. ...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Runaway Indentured Servants

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students compare and contrast indentured servants and slaves. In this US history slavery lesson, students discuss the owners' perceptions of indentured servants and slaves, then view ads for runaway slaves to support their opinions....
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

Sojourner Truth

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students research Sojourner Truth. In this African-American history lesson plan, students read the speech "Ain't I A Woman?" and brainstorm descriptive words that describe Sojourner Truth. Students discuss why her acts were considered...
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

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

Before Dred Scott: Freedom Suits in Antebellum Missouri

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Young scholars examine and analyze original documents that enhance understanding of antebellum slavery in Missouri and a particular method of gaining freedom: the freedom suit.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Life of Frederick Douglass

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Young scholars discuss the importance of effective leadership in a democratic society. They study the significance of the contributions of Frederick Douglass to America. They compare the effects of political, economic, and social factors...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Slave Narratives

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students examine the slave perspective and how it differs from stories we hear in text books. In this slave narrative lesson, students use primary source narratives to compare how slave life was expressed by the slaves to how slave life...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Whispers from the Past

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students use various primary sources on the Internet to travel on the Underground Railroad
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Lott House - a History Mystery

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students read a newspaper article about the historic Lott House in Marine Park, Brooklyn. They study the history of slavery in New York and uncover the secrets of a historic Brooklyn farmhouse that kept slaves and later protected them...