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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Civil War: A Nation Divided

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Discuss the differences between the North and the South and how those differences led to the Civil War. Middle schoolers examine and analyze a famous speech or writing by President Lincoln in order to better understand the speaker's...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Durable Memento: Portraits by Augustus Washington

For Teachers 7th - 11th
Students read primary source newspaper articles from mid 19th century United States. The topics of the articles are slavery, abolitionism and colonization. Students are given several options for activities based on the readings.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Abolishing Slavery

For Teachers 4th - 11th
Students explain the goals and methods of the abolitionist movement. They identify key leaders in the movement. This lesson has adaptations for elementary through high school. Links are provided for resource readings.
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Interactive
Curated OER

The Civil War 1850–1865

For Students 7th - 12th
For this online interactive history worksheet, students respond to 10 short answer questions about the American Civil War. Students may check some of their answers on the interactive worksheet.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Runaway Ads

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders distinguish between primary and secondary sources while creating an underground railroad presentation.  In this underground railroad lesson, 4th graders research the underground railroad using copies of primary and...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

White Southerners' Defense of Slaveholding

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students read transcriptions of articles from two historical Virginian newspapers and examine how white southerners defended the institution of slavery. They write a one-act play or a dialogue between an abolitionist and a slaveholder.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Constitutional Resources

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Pupils explore the REpublican Era and the writing of the constitution and Billof Rights through various links and activities included in this collection.
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Interactive
Curated OER

The Growing National Crisis: The 1850s (5)

For Students 8th - 12th
In this online interactive American history worksheet, students respond to 12 matching questions regarding slavery in 1850's America. Students may check their answers immediately.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Langston Hughes: Artist and Historian

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the life and works of Langston Hughes. In groups, they research the characteristics of the Harlem Renaissance and how Hughes' poems relate to the era. They use the themes in his writings and relate it to the Great...
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Website
Virginia Historical Society

Virginia Historical Society: The Portent: John Brown's Raid in American Memory

For Students 9th - 10th
Online companion of an exhibition mounted in 2009 to commemorate the anniversary of John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry examines Brown's role as a catalyst of the American Civil War.
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Unit Plan
PBS

Pbs: Cet: Africans in America: The Raid on Harper's Ferry

For Students 9th - 10th
PBS' four-part series, "Africans in America," highlights the antislavery movement, including a focus on John Brown's Raid on Harpers Ferry. Content includes a description of the event, as well as the after-effects including the news of...
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Website
University of Virginia

University of Virginia: John Brown and the Valley of the Shadow

For Students 9th - 10th
This site provides a look at John Brown's life. Content includes a chronology of events in his life, a look at his family and cohorts, newspaper articles, eyewitness accounts, and more.
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Unknown Type
Stanford University

Beyond the Bubble: John Brown's Legacy

For Teachers 9th - 10th
[Free Registration/Login Required] Students answer questions about a poster for a play written in 1936 that celebrates the abolitionist John Brown, who tried to start a slave revolt in Harpers Ferry, Virginia, in 1859.
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Lesson Plan
Stanford University

Sheg: Document Based History: Reading Like a Historian: John Brown

For Teachers 9th - 10th
[Free Registration/Login Required] Students use primary source documents to investigate central historical questions. In this investigation, students must determine whether John Brown was a "misguided fanatic," by examining a speech by...
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eBook
OpenStax

Open Stax: John Brown and the Election of 1860

For Students 11th - 12th
By reading this section from a chapter on " The Tumultuous 1850s," students will be able to describe John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry and analyze the results of the election of 1860.
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Website
Curated OER

National Park Service: Dr. Stephen Oates on John Brown

For Students 9th - 10th
This site presents audio and video clips of an interview with Dr. Stephen B. Oates conducted at Harpers Ferry National Historic Park on June 30, 1994. Dr. Oates comments on John Brown's impact upon the nation with regard to the slavery...
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Primary
University of Missouri

Famous Trials: Trial of John Brown: Lee's Report on the Attack at Harper's Ferry

For Students 9th - 10th
The text of the message Robert E. Lee sent to his adjutant general on Oct. 19, 1859 concerning his men's actions in response to John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry.
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Website
Digital History

Digital History: Explorations: John Brown: Hero or Terrorist?

For Students 9th - 10th
Comprehensive account explores John Brown, the Attack at Harper's Ferry, and his trial. You decide if he was a hero or a terrorist.
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Website
Digital History

Digital History: Harper's Ferry

For Students 9th - 10th
Read about the infamous raid on Harper's Ferry by John Brown and his band in 1859. His first plan had a chance of success thought Frederick Douglass, but the plan that was carried out was doomed from the start. See what John Brown was...
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Website
Library of Virginia

Death or Liberty: John Brown's Raid

For Students 9th - 10th
The Library of Virginia details John Brown's Raid on Harper's Ferry as a prelude to the U.S. Civil War. Content also lists various records and resources regarding John Brown's Raid held in the library.
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Handout
University of Missouri

Famous Trials: The Trial of John Brown

For Students 9th - 10th
An excellent presentation on the trial and the life of John Brown. You can read a report of the trial itself, view images related to John Brown and much more.
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Article
Henry J. Sage

Sage American History: John Brown at Harper's Ferry

For Students 9th - 10th
Article on John Brown's raid on the federal arsenal at Harper's Ferry including excerpts from the U.S. Senate report on the case as well as John Brown's last speech and letter.
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Article
PBS

Africans in America: John Brown's Black Raiders

For Students 9th - 10th
This page provides information on the black men who took part in John Brown's Raid. Includes quotes of associates referring to the men.
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Unit Plan
Read Works

Read Works: John Brown's Antislavery Raid

For Students 5th
[Free Registration/Login Required] Students read about John Brown and his anti-slavery efforts. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.

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