Curated OER
Reformers
Students research reform efforts during the 1800's, primarily those leading up to the Civil War. They complete several lessons that investigate the life of Sojourner Truth and her contributions to the abolitionist movement and women's...
K12 Reader
Song of Freedom: Go Down, Moses
African American spirituals served as more than songs of religious praise during the years of slavery. "Go Down, Moses" is featured on a learning exercise that asks readers to respond to a series of short-answer prompts about the spiritual.
Curated OER
Learning About Life as a Slave
Students explore the history of slavery. In this slavery lesson plan, students take a closer look at slavery in the Americas and the abolitionist movement as they visit the suggested museums and their websites.
Curated OER
Fredrick Douglass...A Digital History
Seventh graders research the life of Fredrick Douglass. In this Fredrick Douglass lesson, 7th graders read about his life and discuss it. They write poetry describing his experience as a slave and create their own monument for Fredrick...
Curated OER
This Guilty Land
Students investigate the actions and motives of John Brown. In this abolition lesson, students discover details about Brown's background as a free-state and abolition supporter. Students discuss his role as that of a martyr or terrorist....
Curated OER
African American Life in the Nineteenth Century
Middle schoolers read about the life and work of John and Mary Jones. Using primary source documents, they draw conclusions about their role in the abolistionist movement. They also examine artifacts from their lives and analyze their...
Curated OER
Perspective on the Slave Narrative
Learners work with the slave narrative as a resource for historical study and evaluate it as a work of literature; students then examine the narrative in the context of political controversy as an argument for abolition.
Curated OER
Lyddie
Seventh graders read the novel, Lyddie, while studying the reform movement. They complete assignments for each chapter and write essays about Lyddie's development through the novel.
Curated OER
Expansion and Reform: Applying the Declaration of Independence
Students conduct inquiries and research-acquiring, organizing, analyzing, interpreting, evaluating, and communicating facts, themes, and general principles operating in American history. They use the Declaration of Independence to...
Curated OER
The 1808 Slave Trade Abolition Deadline
Students study the trans-Atlantic Slave trade. In this slave trade lesson, students study the Constitutional Convention Notes and the impact on United States slavery. Students research the slave trade database and other primary sources...
Curated OER
Abolishing Slavery In America
Students discover details about abolition. In this slavery lesson, students watch Abolishing Slavery in America and then conduct further research about the events that took place on the Zong and Amistad. Students write essays that...
Curated OER
Abolition of Slavery
Students examine the Triangle Trade Route. In this slave trade lesson, students investigate the profits brought by the goods and people traded. Students also participate in a classroom activity that requires them to replicate how slaves...
Curated OER
Landmarks of the Underground Railroad
Ninth graders explore the impact of the Underground Railroad. In this slavery lesson, 9th graders read about the Shadrach Minkins case and discuss the details of the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850. Students consider how the Underground...
Curated OER
Landmarks of the Underground Railroad
Students explore the impact of the Underground Railroad. In this slavery lesson, students read slave accounts and discuss the details of the Fugitive Slave Law of 1850. Students consider the impact of anti-slavery efforts in Boston and...
Annenberg Foundation
Slavery and Freedom
How do nineteenth-century texts by African American and Native American writers contribute to the country's ideals of freedom and individuality? Learners explore the topic by watching and discussing a video, reading biographies, writing...
Curated OER
Transcendentalism Terms
Abolitionist, imperialism, oversoul, renaissance, and transcendentalism. Beginning a study of Emerson and Thoreau? Of Romanticism and the Transcendental Movement? If so, here are five terms your class members will need to know. A...
Curated OER
Before Rosa Parks: Ida B. Wells
The contributions of Ida B. Wells to the Civil Rights Movement are the focus of this social studies lesson. Middle schoolers read a handout regarding Wells, discuss the handout, and write about non-conformist behavior.
Curated OER
Take a Ride on the Underground Railroad
Students explore the issues of American slavery, the abolitionist movements, and the pursuit of freedom that is found in art, literature, and music from that period in American history. Students determine the major personalities that...
Curated OER
Reconstruction
Students investigate the historical period of the Reconstruction and the events that surrounded the abolitionist movement. Students use guided questions to conduct research. Then they complete a venn diagram in order to compare two...
Curated OER
James McCune Smith: A Model of Resistance
Learners discuss examples of resistance. In this anti-slavery lesson, students analyze a portrait of James McCune Smith and listen to a lecture about his life and involvement in abolition. Learners analyze his actions and write a letter...
Curated OER
Inspiring Freedom: The Remond Family and Abolitionism in Salem
Students examine the abolitionist movement in Salem. Exploring the contributions of the Remond family, they identify how they made the issue one of national and international importance. They discuss the views of the south and how...
Curated OER
John Brown Lesson Plan
Young scholars investigate John Brown. In this U.S. history slavery lesson, students view a PowerPoint presentation about John Brown. Young scholars discuss the North's and South's reaction to John Brown's raid, and determine whether...
Curated OER
Underground Railroad Activity
Eighth graders practice their interviewing skills as they learn about the Underground Railroad. For this slavery lesson, 8th graders discuss the existence and operation of the railroad. Students then interview one another in the personas...
Curated OER
Freedom Voices: Abolition and Suffrage in the United States
Students explore abolition and suffrage in the United States.