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Learning About Life as a Slave
Students explore the history of slavery. In this slavery lesson, students take a closer look at slavery in the Americas and the abolitionist movement as they visit the suggested museums and their websites.
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Abolishing Slavery
Students explain the goals and methods of the abolitionist movement.
They identify key leaders in the movement. This lesson has adaptations for elementary through high school. Links are provided for resource readings.
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Take a Ride on the Underground Railroad
High schoolers explore the issues of American slavery, the abolitionist movements, and the pursuit of freedom that is found in art, literature, and music from that period in American history. Students determine the major personalities...
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Inspiring Freedom: The Remond Family and Abolitionism in Salem
Learners examine the abolitionist movement in Salem. Exploring the contributions of the Remond family, they identify how they made the issue one of national and international importance. They discuss the views of the south and how...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Women's Equality: Changing Attitudes And Beliefs
Students analyze archival materials contemporaneous with the birth of the Women's Rights Movement, and begin to appreciate the deeply entrenched opposition the early crusaders had to overcome. They discuss whether or not such attitudes...
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Social Studies: Underground Railroad
Students role-play as escaped slaves making their way from North Carolina to Canada, stopping in Indiana. They track their journeys on maps and include a stop at Harriet Tubman's. Students write three paragraphs about how Tubman aids...
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Knowledge is Power
Students explore the distinct forms of knowledge that enslaved Africans brought with them to America or developed while enslaved. They study how political movements of the 18th century helped develop abolitionist thinking.
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Perseverance and the First Amendment
Students investigate the right to petition and assemble. In this Bill of Rights lesson, students read the First Amendment and discuss the rights guaranteed by the amendment. Students research selected groups and movements that have...
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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....
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John Brown Lesson Plan
Students investigate John Brown. In this U.S. history slavery lesson, students view a PowerPoint presentation about John Brown. Students discuss the North's and South's reaction to John Brown's raid, and determine whether...
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Underground Railroad Activity
Eighth graders practice their interviewing skills as they learn about the Underground Railroad. In this slavery lesson, 8th graders discuss the existence and operation of the railroad. Students then interview one another in the personas...
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The Literature of Upheaval
In groups, 8th graders read different documents and answer questions on the Civil War period. Students read documents by Thoreau, Stowe and Frederick Douglas.
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Slave Resistance
Students examine slavery and slave resistance. In this history lesson, students read several excerpts on slavery then work in small groups to reflect and answer questions on the readings.
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150 Years of Abolition in Pennsylvania
High schoolers study the struggle for abolition in Pennsylvania starting with the Quakers first protest through the burning of Pennsylvania Hall. They conduct research using primary source documents.
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Criminal or Hero
Fifth graders explore the origins of slavery. In this US History instructional activity, 5th graders create a map of the United States that shows where slavery existed. Students examine the life of a Northern slave through...
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The Colonization of Liberia
Students analyze how slavery shaped social and economic life in the South. They study methods of passive and active resistance to slavery, and the similarities and differences between African-American and white abolitionists.
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A New Birth of Freedom: Black Soldiers in the Union Army
Students investigate the history of civil rights by viewing historical photographs. In this U.S. history lesson, students discuss why Black Soldiers fought for their rights by joining the Union Army in the 1800's. Students...
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Transcendentalism Terms
Abolitionist, imperialism, oversoul, renaissance, and transcendentalism. Beginning a study of Emerson and Thoreau? Of Romanticism and the Transcendental Movement? If so, here are five terms your class members will need to know. A...
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Lyddie
Seventh graders read the novel, Lyddie, while studying the reform movement. They complete assignments for each chapter and write essays about Lyddie's development through the novel.
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Reformers
Students research reform efforts during the 1800's, primarily those leading up to the Civil War. They complete several lessons that investigate the life of Sojourner Truth and her contributions to the abolitionist movement and women's...
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Slavery: Matching
In this slavery identification worksheet, students match the 11 terms and names associated with slavery in the United States to the appropriate descriptions.
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Reconstruction
Students investigate the historical period of the Reconstruction and the events that surrounded the abolitionist movement. Students use guided questions to conduct research. Then they complete a venn diagram in order to compare two...
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James McCune Smith: A Model of Resistance
Learners discuss examples of resistance. In this anti-slavery instructional activity, students analyze a portrait of James McCune Smith and listen to a lecture about his life and involvement in abolition. Learners analyze his actions and...
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Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass: A Compare and Contrast Lesson Plan
Two great men, one time period, and one purpose; it sounds like a movie trailer, but it's not. It's a very good comparative analysis lesson focused on Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. Learners will research and read informational...