Slavery Lesson Plans

Students examine the economics that led to the founding of the First Bank of America. In this economics lesson plan, student participate in a reader's theater experience of the debate between Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson over the beginnings of the first Bank of the United States. They read primary source documents and the booklet, "The First Bank of the United States."

Sixth graders examine the use of slavery in the United States. Using a map, they draw the route of the Tecora and Amistad voyages. Individually, they write an essay describing their opinions on whether the Africans on the ships should be able to go free. They write a journal entry role-playing the role of someone on the ships and re-write one of the books in the form of a cartoon or children's book to end the lesson.

Learners explore the history of the United States and slavery. In this slavery lesson plan, students view primary sources, complete journal writing, view videos, and answer short answer questions.

Students connect episodes in the history of slavery with larger demographic trends. They locate statistical information using census data from the United States Historical Census Data Browser.

Learners reflect on what it was like to be a slave. Learners participate in a class discussion about slavery, then create a timeline of what a slave's daily life might have involved. They also evaluate primary documents including the Emancipation Proclamation. 

Learners explore what happened aboard the slave vessels Zong and Amistad. They considerwhat each incident reveals about views of slavery in Great Britain and the United States to write an essay exploring each country's attitude toward slavery.

Students compare and contrast historical outlooks on slavery. In this abolishing slavery lesson plan, students watch "Abolishing Slavery in America," and discuss the implications of the slavery. Students then compose compare and contrast essays about the views of Great Britain and the United States on slavery in the 1800s.

Young scholars examine the institution of slavery in the United States. In this slavery lesson plan, students watch "Traces of the Trade: A Story from the Deep North,"  and discuss reparations legislation in the United States. Young scholars debate reparations legislation and write position papers on the topic.

Students examine slavery in the revolutionary and colonial eras of the United States. In this slavery lesson, students investigate the presence of slavery in early America, the language of the Constitution, and intent of the founding fathers regarding slavery.

Students investigate the personal accounts of slaves in the United States. They participate in various activities according to grade level to examine the role of slavery in the South.