Curated OER
Agriculture and Slavery
Learners explore the importance of agriculture, especially tobacco farming, and the influence it had on slavery in the state of Virginia. Students establish the sequence of tobacco and slavery in the state.
Curated OER
A House Dividing: The Growing Crisis of Sectionalism in Antebellum America
Students trace the development of sectionalism in the United States. They explore slavery, freedom and the Constitution. Students identify influential opponents and defenders of American slavery. They explain different solutions to...
Curated OER
Slavery in the Antebellum South
Students discuss Stephen Foster's depiction of slavery. Using the internet, they discover what the life of a slave was really like in the antebellum South. As a class, they discuss contemporary arguments for and against slavery.
Curated OER
Slavery in the United States
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.
Curated OER
Human Trafficking & Modern Day Slavery - Introduction
Students identify the main reasons people are trafficked. With their classmates, they discuss the three-tier country-rating system. They explain examples and how they occur in today's society. Using the internet, they research a...
Curated OER
Human Trafficking & Modern Day Slavery - Laws & Conventions
Students are introduced to the topic of human trafficking. They identify the reasons why people are trafficked and the laws and conventions around the globe that punish this type of behavior. Using the internet, they describe how the...
Curated OER
Slavery
Fifth graders complete a short unit on slavery and the U.S. Civil War. They read and analyze the book, "Follow the Drinking Gourd," compose their own secret song, complete an Abraham Lincoln crossword puzzle, and dramatize a historical...
Smithsonian Institution
Of Human Bondage: George Washington and The Issue of Slavery
Learners read and interpret four documents George Washington wrote regarding his slaves. They analyze why George Washington was conflicted over the issue of slavery. They discuss the evolution of Washington's attitude toward slavery.
Curated OER
Whitewashing Southern History
Students discuss the fact and fiction of slavery in the South. After viewing a video on two New Orleans plantations, they determine the accuracy of the facts presented. In the computer lab, they visit various sites and examine which ones...
Curated OER
Slavery
Fifth graders examine the reasons for the Civil War. They identify and explain different social and political movements of the time period as well. They discuss the impact of the Civil War on the development of the United States.
Curated OER
Slavery and the Underground Railroad
Students examine a map of the Underground Railroad. They trace the slaves journeys and calculate the mileage. They write an essay about the risks and penalties one faced in escaping. They work together in groups to name characteristics...
Curated OER
Secret Quilt Codes
Students examine how quilts helped people on the Underground Railroad. They listen to a story about Harriet Tubman, discuss quilt patterns, and create a class paper quilt.
Curated OER
Harriet Tubman: Recognizing the Human Agency
Tenth graders examine the contributions of Harriet Tubman to the history of Canada. They read a handout, complete a handout in small groups, and write a speech evaluating how Harriet Tubman changed history.
Curated OER
About Abraham Lincoln
Fifth graders complete a unit of lessons on the life of Abraham Lincoln. They read and analyze a poem, create a timeline, write an essay, research The Gettysburg Address and The Emancipation Proclamation, explore websites, and interview...
Curated OER
Southern Plantation Cooking
Students explore life on a southern plantation, and the difficulties slaves encountered in food preparation. They make a sweet potato pie and discuss the uses of sweet potatoes instead of traditional fruits in southern cooking.
Curated OER
Through Their Eyes: Perspectives on Slavery
Learners examine different perspectives of slavery. They write a personal account of slavery as a slave trader, a plantation owner, and fugitives and working slaves. They role-play these roles for the class.
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
Getting To Know an Era
Pupils explore the ways which we commemorate the important events in our country's history. They examine the state quarters and discuss events portrayed on the reverse. They design a coin to commemorate an important event in an era they...
Curated OER
Starting a Revolution
Students examine state quarters with images that refer to the Industrial Revolution. They discuss whether or not it is appropriate to commemorate that event. They research the Slater Mill and decide if it should be commemorated.
Curated OER
Underground Railroad Role Play
Students experience what the Underground Railroad was really like by role-playing as escaping slaves. They must travel to the North Star until they cross an imaginary line into Canada.
Curated OER
This Guilty Land
Students read and discuss several informational cards about John Brown, the historical context he lived in and his abolitionist cause. They complete a character chart and write an epitaph that conveys their opinion of his actions.
Curated OER
D'Nile Is Where It's At!
Students travel down the Nile River to survey ancient Egypt in this unit of nine lessons. Data about pharaohs, hieroglyphics, growing crops, pyramids, the geography, and the sacred rituals are explored in this unit.
Curated OER
Science Biographies: A Poster Approach
Second graders examine the lives and contributions of five people who have impacted science in the four lessons of this unit. Key facts in the life of the persons are placed on a timeline and a mini-biography is created.
Curated OER
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...