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Tobacco: Field Laborers
Eighth graders examine a picture of a tobacco laborer. Using that information, they write a story describing a typical work day for them. They evaluate the impact of political and technological changes in the area as well as the role...
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Take a Ride on the Underground Railroad
Students 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 that...
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The Importance of Freedom
The students will become familiar with the Underground Railroad. They will gain an understanding of slaves and what it means to have little or no freedom and compare that with the rights that all Americans have now.
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The Early American Contradiction
Students use the Constitution and Declaration of Independence to investigate the apparent contradictions between slavery and freedom. The activity looks at the reasons for the incorporation of slavery into early colonial life even with...
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Freedom from Slavery
Students are introduced to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. They discuss slavery in the past and vote to determine views on whether or not slavery continues to exist today. Through images and stories, they discover it does...
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Enslaved and Running
Students use runaway slave advertisements to discover how the language varies from the 18th to 21st century. Using primary source documents, they research the brutality of slavery and the desire of those in slavery to be free. They...
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The Underground Railroad
Students use vocabulary related to the Underground Railroad. They identify key facts related to the Underground Railroad, evaluate their personal responses to the Underground Railroad and make a judgment about the morality of the...
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Forest Joe Lesson Plan: Outlaw or Hero?
Pupils become familiar with an American legend that is unfamiliar to many. Presented with the legend of Forest Joe, a runaway slave who, much like Robin Hood, stole from the rich to give to the poor, students draw comparisons and...
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The Fugitive Slave Law and Migration
Students examine the Fugitive Slave Law as a motivating factor for slaves to emigrate outside the United States. After discussing the relationships between fugitive slaves and North American and Caribbean countries, they write essays...
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Point of View of Former Slaves
Students examine what life was like for slaves from the point of view of ex-slaves. They use resources from the Federal Writers' Project which took place in the mid- 1930's. They look at the importance of religion, the different status...
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Aiken-Rhett House
Third graders visit the Rhett-Aiken House and discuss the people who lived there. They compare and contrast the lives of slaves who lived there. They practice using new vocabulary and examine the Gullah language and culture.
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Let My People Go: An Instant Lesson on World Slavery
Students study historical facts about slavery and investigate slavery in the world today. They study the holiday of Passover and about organizations that help enslaved people in the world.
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From Slavery to Segregation
Students study the causes and effects of slavery and segregation. They write an essay (including either pictures, charts, graphs or copies of documents to support their essay) which addresses the African American's journey from slavery...
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State Quarter Game
Investigate the 50 State Quarter's Program. Learners view and discuss the images on the Indiana state quarter, develop a list of questions about the states, conduct research to answer the questions, and play a game using the questions...
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Perspectives on Slavery
Learners examine various perspectives on slavery. They read and evaluate historical writing and primary source documents, define vocabulary words, and complete worksheets.
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When in Greece, Do as the Greeks Do
Students examine the contributions of ancient Greeks in this five lesson unit. The explorations reveal how Greece shaped our stories, our modern language, and our society. The study of the Greek myth forms the basis of this unit.
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Carolina Gold and the Gullah
Eighth graders investigate the physical geography of South Carolina to explore how it was suited for growing rice. They examine how slave labor contributed to a plantations success and compare Gullah culture from now to the past.
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Abolition/Social Reform PowerPoint Presentations Lesson
Students, in groups, is choose a research topic from a list imbedded in this plan. They are given two class periods to collect and organize information on their topic and create a PowerPoint presentation to give to the class.
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Underground Railroad
Students research and discuss the use of the Underground Railroad by fugitive slaves. They debate the actions of abolitionists and slave owners according to the laws of the time, create drawings and write narratives.
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African Americans: 1800 - 1870
Students explore living and working environment of both slave and free African Americans from places throughout the United States.
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Missouri's Early Slave Laws: Missouri's Early Slave Laws:
Young scholars analyze and discuss various documents relating to slavery in Missouri in the 1830's and 1840's. They learn why some records are deemed to be of permanent, historical value to the state.
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Town Development
Students use a map of Kansas in the 1800s to discuss town development and issues related to slavery. They create fictitious towns to promote to outsiders.
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Sectionalism and the Kansas-Nebraska Act
Students use their knowledge of Kansas history to support their position in support of or against slavery in Kansas.
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The Everyday Lives of Arkansas Slaves
Eighth graders become aware of the various aspects of daily activities in the lives of Arkansas slaves. They write answers to questions and prepare a transparency to share with the class that illustrates the topic being researched.