National Endowment for the Humanities
Frances Ellen Watkins Harper’s “Learning to Read”
Frances Ellen Watkins Harper's poem "Learning to Read" is the focus of a lesson that teaches middle schoolers how to do a close reading of a text. The lesson introduces them to a brief biography of the poet, includes a video reading, and...
Library of Virginia
Emancipation and the Thirteenth Amendment
Why didn't the Emancipation Proclamation free all slaves? Young historians study primary source documents including Lincoln's proclamation and the 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution. Groups also investigate the three...
NET Foundation for Television
1850-1874 The Kansas-Nebraska Act
How the Kansas-Nebraska Act created Bleeding Kansas is complicated—until scholars research and examine documents from the time. After completing activities that include mapping, photo, document analysis, and discussion, learners...
Livaudais-Baker English Classroom
Kindred Introduction
A 16-slide PowerPoint presentation introduces readers to the themes, motifs, and literary devices used by Octavia E. Butler in her time-travel, first person slave narrative.
Curated OER
Slave Ship: Carrier of Destiny
Fifth graders research topics related to slavery. They visit area museums, and the Arkansas Arts Council presents cultural experiences. They discuss and internalize the plight of people sold into slavery.
Curated OER
Building New York
Eleventh graders examine the role African Americans played in the expansion of New York. In this American History lesson, 11th graders compare and contrast the images of a wealthy, free black against a black who was poor and enslaved. ...
National First Ladies' Library
Social Studies: Who Burned Down Barnum's Museum?
Learners examine the social conflict of the 19th century and the destruction of the American Museum. In pairs, they conduct Internet research and attempt to solve the mystery of who burned down the museum. Clues to the mystery are found...
Curated OER
Frederick Douglass: This is Your Life; The Abolitionist
Seventh graders study the abolitionist movement in antebellum America.
Curated OER
Introduction to Reform Movements of the 1800s
Eleventh graders consider the impact of reform movements of the 19th century. In this Progressive Reform lesson plan, 11th graders examine documents and images associated with women's suffrage, prohibition, and labor reform. Students...
History with Peters
A Clear Signal for Change: Multiple Interpretations and Nat Turner’s Rebellion
Was Nat Turner a hero or a violent criminal? Using primary sources and images that discuss the rebellion of enslaved people he led in antebellum Virginia, scholars consider the question. Then, they create memorials to Turner and...
Curated OER
Buying, Selling, and Trading in Antebellum South Carolina
Students research the role of general stores in the development of communities. In this South Carolina history lesson, students study the economic development of early U.S. communities. Students write essays and create advertisements...
Curated OER
Women: Struggle and Triumph
Students perform research using primary resources in order to create a knowledge base for the place of women in society. The sources are synthesized by students to reveal the true story of the extraordinary women of America.
Curated OER
Free Market Labor vs. Slave Labor
Young scholars summarize support for free market labor vs. slave labor in antebellum America. They explain how existing economic conditions influence support for free market labor vs. slave labor.
Curated OER
Uncle Tom's Cabin & The Ideology of Slavery
Students use "Uncle Tom's Cabin & American Culture" to examine the sectional crisis of the 1850's. Slavery is explored and the mindset of Southern planters during the Antebellum Era. They analyze not only traditional text documents...
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
Lesson 9: After Slavery: Uncle Tom's Cabin in Popular Culture
Eighth graders, in groups, explore the popularity of Uncle Tom's Cabin, even in the post-slavery America.
Curated OER
Savannah, Georgia: The Lasting Legacy of Colonial City Planning
Young scholars explore colonial history, the antebellum era and the cotton economy and the rise of cities in the U.S.
Curated OER
The Age of Reform
Students are introduced to a variety of reform movements within this lesson plan. They explore the beliefs and motivations of each group. Connections are made from these movements to present day situations and happenings.
Curated OER
Freedman's Journal: "We Wish to Plead Our Own Cause"
Students examine selected passages from The Freedman's Journal. In this African American history lesson, students read and discuss excerpts from The Freedman's Journal. Students investigate how the African American newspaper served...
Constitutional Rights Foundation
History of Immigration Through the 1850s
Everyone living in the United States today is a descendant from an immigrant—even Native Americans. Learn about the tumultuous history of American immigration with a reading passage that discusses the ancient migration over the Bering...
Curated OER
The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams
Provided here is a packet of worksheets to accompany The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams. To start, readers research words commonly associated with the time period. Then, a list of 30 tough vocabulary words are listed (including...
Curated OER
African American Community and Culture
Eleventh graders explore areas of concern to the African American community in the 1820's. In this American History lesson, 11th graders examine how the establishment of the nations first African American newspaper addressed these areas...
Curated OER
Slavery and the Legal Status of Free Blacks
Students examine the status of free blacks in Illinois and slavery in the U.S. They read and analyze primary source documents, answer and discuss questions, participate in a group discussion, and present the group's findings to the class.
Curated OER
Uncle Tom's Cabin
Students analyze the illustrations and cover of the book Uncle Tom's Cabin. In this Uncle Tom's Cabin lesson plan, students discuss the history elements of what they see in the illustrations and cover of the book.