Students study Benjamin Franklin including who he was, what he invented and his experiment.  In this inventive lesson plan students follow the steps of Ben Franklin and build a Leyden jar.

High schoolers examine political and religious factors that influenced English, Spanish, French, and Dutch colonization of the Americas, how slavery shaped social and economic life in the South after 1800, and elements of slavery during...

Students read and discuss a narrative exploring how immigrants retain their own cultures or assimilate into the host country. They examine the emigrant's experience in Liberia and write a position paper.

In groups, 8th graders read different documents and answer questions on the Civil War period. Students read documents by Thoreau, Stowe and Frederick Douglas.

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...

Students research slavery in the United States and present their findings as a newscast with appropriate visuals to the class.

High schoolers explore the pros and cons of the emigration movement and research major groups and people involved in it. They view a multi-media narrative imbedded in this plan, then compose an essay stating their point of view.

Learn about the countless people who made important contributions to the abolitionist movement to end slavery. In this photo gallery from American Experience, explore some of these leaders and their vocations.

This site from National Public Radio explores the speech and the background of this abolitionist leader. An excerpt from Frederick Douglass' speech, 'The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro', is featured.

Brief biography of this famous women's rights leader.

The actor Fred Morsell, a Frederick Douglass reenactor, provides plays about the 19th century civil rights leader as well as other resources about Douglass's life and work.

A several page article about William Lloyd Garrison and his actions in the abolition of slavery.

The state of Virginia played a pivotal role in the Civil War. Trace the war from the beginning to the battles in Virginia, and to Lee's surrender through this comprehensive slideshow. Included are charts, maps and actual photography from...

Find a biography and primary source documents about Gerrit Smith, who was a leader of anti-slavery activities in Syracuse, and nationally. He converted Frederick Douglass to political abolitionism and helped to finance his work.

This well-written biography describes Lucy Stones life as a reformer, leader and orator in both the abolitionist and suffrage movements.

A clickable list of student resources for researching the life and work of this 19th century African American civil rights leader and abolitionist.

Biographical website that explains details about Frederick Douglass' life as an abolitionist and women's rights leader. Includes photos of his home near Washington, DC. Very informative site.

As a leader in the abolitionist movement Frederick Douglass (1817-1895 CE) was a most inspirational man. This site provides much interesting information including an account of his escape from slavery and his newspaper THE NORTH STAR.

As a leader in the abolitionist movement Frederick Douglass (1817-1895 CE) was a most inspirational man. This site provides much interesting information including an account of his escape from slavery and his newspaper THE NORTH STAR.

A brief biographical note from the Oberlin College about the famous women's rights leader, as well as some writing about her from her daughter, Alice Stone Blackwell.

Mary Ann Shadd was born in Wilmington, Delaware in 1823. She emigrated to Windsor, Upper Canada and was a leader in advocating for integrated schools at a time when most Canadians believed segregated schools should predominate. This web...

This site contains information about the biography of Frederick Douglass a slave who taught himself to read and then became a leader in fighting for the civil rights of African-Americans and women.

This site explores Black America's quest for equality from the early national period through the twentieth century. Content includes the work of abolitionists in the first half of the nineteenth century, depictions of the long journey...

This site explores Black America's quest for equality from the early national period through the twentieth century. Content includes the work of abolitionists in the first half of the nineteenth century, depictions of the long journey...