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A Wolf by the Ear
Students examine Thomas Jefferson's complex and contradictory relationship with slavery.
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Defining the Images of African American Slavery
High schoolers explore the institution of slavery through analyzing several artist's perceptions and representations. Students develop their own illustration of slavery.
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Before Dred Scott: Freedom Suits in Antebellum Missouri
Students examine and analyze original documents that enhance understanding of antebellum slavery in Missouri and a particular method of gaining freedom: the freedom suit.
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Eli Whitney's Patent for the Cotton Gin
Students review the U.S. patent laws by researching Eli Whitney's petition for a renewal on his cotton gin patent. They examine documents to assess the impact of the cotton gin, role-play the patent hearing and discuss the effects of...
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The Amistad Case
Students research the case of The Amistad and the individuals involved with the case. They write editorials, compare the movie version to actual historical documents and write a one-act play presenting their findings.
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The Colonization of Liberia
Learners analyze how slavery shaped social and economic life in the South. They study methods of passive and active resistance to slavery, and the similarities and differences between African-American and white abolitionists.
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Slavery
Students, in groups, research primary sources and internet sites about different views on slavery. The groups form as either from the point of view of slave owners or those who want to abolish slavery. They write a written argument for...
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American Colonization Society Lesson Plan
Learners read an article online "Colonization and Emigration" and break into debating groups. They research points that support their side, namely whether or not the American Colonization Society was for or against segregation. They...
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Denmark Vesey's Rebellion
Students research the slave, Denmark Vesey, and create a dramatic play depicting his life.
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Slavery in the U.S. Constitution
Students examine five sections of the U.S. Constitution to see what the Federal Government has said about slavery, past and present. Then, class members research individuals and interest groups who directly impacted slavery compromises.
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Urban Centers and African-American Migrants
High schoolers read narratives about the experiences of 19th century fugitive slaves that fled to urban centers. They conduct further research on the African-American urban migration movement and present their findings to the class.
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Many Reasons To Leave
Students read a variety of narratives from fugitive slaves, discuss the many reasons slaves had to leave and what dangers they faced when living as a fugitive. They write and present a fictional narrative incorporating their observations.
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Using Primary Sources
Students examine primary source documents about slavery in the United States. They evaluate the documents for the evidence they provide, reliability and bias. They present their evaluation to the class.
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Three Coffles
Middle schoolers read several slave narratives that comment on the ways in which slaves were transported from market to market. They write three original pieces expressing the viewpoint of a man, woman and child in captivity.
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Graphing and Demography: The Domestic Slave Trade
Learners read a narrative on the domestic slave trade and use the data presented in the article to chart several demographic trends for Louisiana. They compare this information to the rest of the US slave demographics for the period.
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A Celebration
Students research the role of the Catholic church in the experiences of Haitian immigration. They organize a celebration of African and African-American cultures around the feast day of St. Martin de Porres, a saint of African descent.
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Studying the Haitian Immigration
High schoolers research the Haitian immigration of the 18th and 19th centuries. They research modern life in the state of Louisiana and write about the influence of Haitian immigrants on politics, people and culture.
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Streams of Time Lesson Plan: Visually Organizing the History of the Atlantic Slave Trade
Students read, The Transatlantic Slave Trade, and then in teams, focus on one section of the essay. They write down key events and dates, with a brief description of each, and organize it chronologically onto a timeline.
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The Underground Railroad (Fugitive Slave Act of 1850)
Students read and discuss the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850. They listen to the story of Reverend John Rankin, a reverend who openly broke the law to help free escape. They evaluate and debate the morality or immorality of breaking the...
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Code Black
Eleventh graders gain an awareness and an appreciation of slave spirituals as part of their American Literature/American History heritage.
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West Indies and The Caribbean: Sugar & Slavery
Students study the state of the world before the slave trade. They explain the geography and economics of the slave trade. They explore primary sources and how historians use these sources to create historical interpretations.
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Before Brother Fought Brother: People and Places in the North and South
Students use census records to research and compare the population and economies in two counties within the same valley (Franklin Country Pennsylvania (North) and Augusta County, Virginia (South) in the pre Civil War era.
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Powerful Memories, Powerful Words
Young scholars identify and describe the influence slavery had on Mark Twains writing, and then determine the status of race relations and ethnic differences in contemporary life.
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South Africa: The Day the Apartheid Ended
Students write a letter to Gogo, explaining the importance of voting, and why the Apartheid rule was not good. Five students are to rule over the other students and exercise their new power over their classmates.