Students identify the significance of the author's experiences on his written work; describe the hardships faced by slaves and plantation owners once the caves were set free; explain the role of the Seceses and why they were a threat to...

Students use Ernest J. Gaines' A Lesson Before Dying to investigate the reality of legal segregation. For this segregation lesson, students work in groups to study the books characters and how their classification affected the rights...

Students examine narratives of two slaves: iam W. Brown and Frederick Douglas. They produce an essay explaining how Brown's narrative challenged the prejudices of readers in his own time and how it challenges prejudices today.

Students create a timeline listing major historical events of the years 1860-1960. They discuss concepts central to the novel, such as freedom, self-respect, courage, and responsibility.