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Eighteenth-Century Slave Codes
Students explore slavery by reviewing the written laws intended to keep African Americans subservient. In this U.S. slavery lesson, students analyze a time-line of the history of African Americans. Students discuss the patterns of the...
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Breaking Barriers
Determine how African-Americans have broken barriers in this history lesson. Middle schoolers discuss the 15th Amendment and the American civil rights movement prior to analyzing Barack Obama's speech "A More Perfect Union," taking care...
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The Log Book of a Connecticut Slave Trade Ship
Seventh graders investigate the slave trade. In this Middle Passage lesson, 7th graders read excerpts of ship logs from Connecticut Slave Trade ships. Students respond to the provided analysis questions based on the logs.
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Slave Trade Memorial
Students develop a memorial to the slave who endured the Middle Passage. In this slavery memorial activity, student culminate a unit of study about slavery by creating a memorial for Africans who traveled the Middle Passage to slavery....
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Unchained Memories
Eleventh graders consider what life was like for American slaves. In this primary source analysis lesson plan, 11th graders read slave narratives from Unchained Memories and then participate in a discussion about the conditions in which...
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Civil Rights in America
Seventh graders visit the Smithsonian and are shown different exhibits. They are to make their own drawing about one of the exhibits and write about the experience.
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Abolition of Slavery
Students examine the Triangle Trade Route. In this slave trade lesson, students investigate the profits brought by the goods and people traded. Students also participate in a classroom activity that requires them to replicate how slaves...
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Southern Society during the Civil War: Black Society
Learners research and discuss the societal changes during the Civil War as it relates to various parts of southern society. For this southern society during the civil war lesson, students examine what life was like for slaves during the...
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Slavery: How did the Abolition Acts Affect the Slave Trade?
Students investigate the abolition of slavery by examining historical documents. In this U.S. history lesson, students view photographs of East African residents who were forced into slavery. Students write about the information they...
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Legacies of the Middle Passage
Students research the Atlantic slave trade during the 18th century. In this slave trade instructional activity, students read a narrative about colonial expansion in the Americas and the rise of slavery in the United States. Students...
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Music of Slavery and Oppression in the Mid-1800's
Students examine 19th century life for African-Americans. In this slavery lesson, students analyze the lyrics of slave songs and present their findings to their classmates.
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They're Only Children
Third graders compare how the lives of African American slave children differed from children's lives today. In this analysis of slavery lesson plan, 3rd graders evaluate and discuss the conditions of slavery in collaborative groups....
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The Reconstruction Period
Students use documents and other resources to evaluate the success or failure of the Reconstruction for giving rights to African Americans. The documents are primary resources with questions included for students to complete.
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Breaking Barriers
High schoolers examine the context of a speech delivered by Barack Obama. In this African-American history lesson plan, students discuss the 15th Amendment and the American Civil Rights Movement prior to analyzing Barack Obama's speech...
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His Story/Her Story/Your Story
Students read a variety of biographies to gain insight on the experiences of an African-American's life. Individually, they try to determine the time period it was written and compare the event with ones that occured in their own lives....
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The Middle Passage
Fifth graders explore slavery conditions by viewing a video clip on the Internet. In this slave ship lesson plan, 5th graders discuss the transportation of black men and women from Africa to the United States in the 1700's and how poor...
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Slavery and Empire 1440 - 1770
Students reflect on the events that led up to slavery in the early years of North America. For this United States History lesson, students read excerpts from the book "Out of Many," then gather in small groups to answer specific...
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African-American History and Culture in the English Classroom
Ninth graders identify and recognize characteristics of nonfiction in literary works, explore language and culture of Gullah people, compare and contrast purposes of spirituals and quilts in terms of their relationships to escape from...
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Heroes in Art
Students examine the life, portraits and speeches of Frederick Douglass. They consider what made his speeches effective and why he is regarded as a national hero. They write an original speech.
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Prince Hall and His Organization of Black Free Masons in the United States
Students examine the life of Prince Hall who became a member of the Free Masons during the time period of slavery. Depending on the grade level, they are shown pictures or read a reference guide listing the characteristics of each...
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Through Their Eyes: Perspectives on Slavery
Students write a personal account of slavery seen from the eyes of a slave trader, a slave plantation owner, a fugitive slave, or a working slave.
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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.
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Slavery Lesson
Fourth graders explore the issue of slavery. In this African American history lesson, 4th graders visit a website to take a virtual journey on the Underground Railroad. Additionally, students read various suggested slave narratives....
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Breaking Barriers
Students investigate racism in the 20th century by exploring U.S. History. In this Civil Rights instructional activity, students review the history of slavery, the Civil War and the fight for equality in the mid 1900's. Students complete...