Curated OER
Movement and Music: An Introduction to Slavery
Students create a slavery timeline. They identify key leaders in the anti-slavery movement. Students are asked what they can recall about slavery. They review the following vocabulary words slavery, spirituals, abolitionists, and...
Curated OER
Using Primary Sources in the Classroom: Slavery Unit Lesson 1: Slave Code of 1833
High schoolers explore the concept of slavery. In this primary research lesson, students read the Alabama Slave Code of 1833 and discuss its implications. High schoolers also examine emancipation-related documents and respond to...
Curated OER
Slavery by the Numbers
Students examine the role of slavery in the United States. In this American history instructional activity, students watch segments of the video "Slavery and the Making of America." Students conduct further research pertaining to Thomas...
Carolina K-12
Group Project: Freedom Parade
Parades are a great way to celebrate. Get young historians into the festivities by asking them to create an informational float for a Freedom Parade. Picking a topic from the provided list or suggesting one of their own, class members...
Library of Virginia
Life as an Enslaved People
As part of a study of slavery in the United States, class members analyze documents related to the sale of slaves. They consider not only the text of the bills of sale but also what the appearance of the broadsides suggest.
K12 Reader
Her Story: Sojourner Truth
Sojourner Truth is one of the most prominent faces of the abolitionist movement, but what was her life in slavery like? Learn more about her early years with a reading comprehension resource that provides a short passage from her...
Scholastic
Thomas Jefferson and Monticello: An Introduction to Writing Historical Fiction
Thomas Jefferson is one of the most recognized names and faces in America—but is there more to the third president of the United States? Upper elementary and middle schoolers conduct research on Jefferson, his famous home at Monticello,...
Curated OER
Slavery in My World: Educating for Peace and Social Change
Students research present-day slavery issues in a particular country and present their findings to the class. In this slavery in our world lesson, students discover the nature and extent of slavery in modern countries, present their...
Curated OER
Images of Slavery
Middle schoolers analyze the ways slavery shaped social and economic life in the South after 1800, methods of passive and active resistance to slavery; escaped slaves and the Underground Railroad, and the ending of the Atlantic slave trade.
Curated OER
Slavery in America at the Time of the Civil War: Sources
Students discover how to use primary and secondary sources in research. In this Civil War lesson, students conduct research on slavery as they distinguish between primary and secondary sources regarding the same events.
Curated OER
Music of Slavery and Oppression in the Mid-1800's
Pupils 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.
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
Looking Back at Pre-Civil War Slavery
Eighth graders explain the nature of slavery, the impact of slavery on African-Americans, and how slavery intensified the conflict between the North and South that eventually led to a major cause of the Civil War.
Curated OER
Slavery in America at the Time of the Civil War
Students discover how to create electronic graphic organizers. In this Civil War instructional activity, students present their thoughts regarding slavery in the United States as the war began. Students use Inspiration software and...
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
Slavery in Virginia
Fourth graders assess primary sources to analyze the effects plantation life and slavery had on Colonial Virginia. They study the issues of slavery, rural life, movements, colonization and revolution. Each student makes predictions,...
Curated OER
Slavery, Manumission, and Freedom: Free Blacks in Charleston before the Civil War
Students explore the concept of slavery and manumission through a variety of activities. In this civil rights lesson, students gather information from primary sources, then analyze the politics and historical context of the time....
Curated OER
Debt Slavery and Children in India, A Case Study
Students examine the child labor situation in India. Using the internet, they research the conditions these students work under and how they are part of the debt slavery system. They read the Human Rights Watch and determine if this is...
Curated OER
Slavery in America at the Time of the Civil War: Navigating a Website
Learners discover how to navigate websites. In this Civil War lesson, students conduct research on slavery as they visit a website to experience oral, written, and digital texts and performances by slaves from the Civil War era.
Curated OER
The Underground Railroad
High schoolers write about the impact of the Underground Railroad. They examine primary documents as they conduct independent research to explore the role of the Underground Railroad during the fight for abolition. They compose essays...
Curated OER
What Would Hannah Think?
Learners read excepts from various government documents on the issue of slavery in America. Using the internet, they research a topic related to slavery of interest to them and present to the class their findings. They examine the life...
Curated OER
History Personified
In 1856 Congressman Preston Brooks of South Carolina beat Senator Charles Sumner of Massachusetts over the head with a cane. This event, which highlighted the acrimonious debate over the expansion of slavery, is the focus of a paper...
University of Virginia
Student Page: Uncle Tom's Cabin and American Culture
History sleuths read articles for and against Uncle Tom's Cabin, examine visual images, print responses, and multi-media tomitudes to better understand the impact of Harriet Beecher Stowe's novel on American culture prior to the Civil...
Smithsonian Institution
Fighting For Freedom: The Stono Rebellion and Free Frank McWhorter
Travel back in time to the Stono Rebellion. Young historians research historical figures who played a role in African Americans' fight to escape slavery. Scholars research material, complete handouts, participate in group discussion, and...