Film Education
Glory
If you are previewing the film Glory for your young historians, this packet may help you spark ideas for discussion and offer some interesting facts and quotations that may add to your presentation of this Civil War narrative. It...
Curated OER
Abolitionists and Their Impact on Sectionalism
Eleventh graders examine the impact of Abolitionist leaders on sectionalism. In small groups, they conduct research on a famous abolitionist, and develop and write a newspaper cover page based on their assigned abolitionist.
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Underground Railroad
Fourth graders read about Harriet Tubman and develop vocabulary lists. In this Underground Railroad instructional activity, 4th graders find similarities and differences in primary and secondary sources, create a timeline and...
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Signs in the Stitching
Students exercise their creativity by designing an original quilt and a written explanation of its meaning. They use primary sources to develop an understanding of Underground Railroad routes through Indiana.
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The Underground Railroad
Eleventh graders work in teams to play a game that is based on the Underground Railroad in Delaware.
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Chapter 6 – Road to the Civil War
In this U.S. history worksheet, students read assigned textbook pages detailing the causes of the Civil War and respond to 37 short answer questions.
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Underground Railroad Tic-Tac-Toe
Students discover details about the Underground Railroad. In this slavery lesson, students read primary documents about fugitive slaves and analyze the sources using the provided worksheets.
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1856-1865: Abolitionists and the Civil War
Middle schoolers discover philanthropic acts of the Civil War era. In this service learning lesson, students research Underground Railroad literature, Reconstruction Amendments, and acts of philanthropy during the Civil War era.
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History of the Americas: Causes of the Civil War
In this American Civil War worksheet, students respond to 36 short answer questions that require them to define people and events that were significant during the war.
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1850s: Road to Secession
Detailing the political and social events leading up to the Civil War, this presentation provides students with maps, political cartoons, and photographs to put this time period into historical context. The Presidential Elections of...
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How We Got to Kansas-Nebraska
Students explore the causes of the Civil War. In this lesson on slavery students use primary sources to examine the evolution of the issue of slavery and in the American political system. Students will then write a follow-up essay...
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The Lincoln-Douglas Debates of 1858
Eleventh graders examine transcripts of the 1858 Lincoln-Douglas debates and create a platform for each candidate in the 1858 Senate race.
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Simulated Underground Railroad Experience
Fourth graders participate in a simulation activity that culminates their study of the Underground Railroad. They climb on obstacles while bells rings and older students act as conductors. They work in a darkened area with only one light...
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Women Characters and Readers
High schoolers participate in a guided reading of Chapter IX in Harriet Beecher Stow's, Uncle Tom's Cabin. They research the topic of gender and present it to the class.
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White Southerners' Defense of Slaveholding
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.
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Clay, Calhoun & Webster
In this United States history worksheet, students utilize a word bank of 10 terms or phrases to answer 10 fill in the blank questions pertaining to Regionalism. A short answer question is included as well.
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Anthony Burns
Pupils investigate the reading of the novel about Anthony Burns. They create a KWL chart to gather and organize information. The information that is provided is used to create a presentation. Students also use journals to keep track of...
Curated OER
A Press Conference With Abraham Lincoln
Fifth graders hold a press conference with Abraham Lincoln.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Primary Source: Underground Railroad Fugitive Slave Act 1850
This collection uses primary sources to explore the Underground Railroad and the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850.
University of Groningen
American History: Documents: Excerpts From "The Fugitive Slave Act"
This site titled, "From Revolution to Reconstruction," provides excerpts from the text of the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, part of the Compromise of 1850.
CommonLit
Common Lit: Margaret Garner: Defying the Fugitive Slave Act
A learning module that begins with "Margaret Garner: Defying the Fugitive Slave Act" by Levi Coffin, accompanied by guided reading questions, assessment questions, and discussion questions. The text can be printed as a PDF or assigned...
Digital Public Library of America
Dpla: The Underground Railroad and the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850
This collection uses primary sources to explore the Underground Railroad and the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850. Set includes an overview, primary sources, links to related resources, and a teaching guide.
Ohio State University
Osu History Teaching Institute: The Underground Railroad and the Fugitive Slave Act
Fifth graders will understand the Fugitive Slave Act and its significance, especially as it relates to the Underground Railroad.
US National Archives
National Archives: Oh Freedom! Sought Under the Fugitive Slave Act
What would your life be like if you had to always be running from people who wanted to capture you and make you their slave? The following documents tell the story of William and Ellen Craft who fled from slavery in 1848. View the...