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Unit Plan
Curated OER

Reformers

For Teachers 4th
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...
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Worksheet
K12 Reader

Song of Freedom: Go Down, Moses

For Students 2nd - 5th Standards
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.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Learning About Life as a Slave

For Teachers 7th - 12th
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.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Fredrick Douglass...A Digital History

For Teachers 7th
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...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

This Guilty Land

For Teachers 6th - 8th
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....
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

African American Life in the Nineteenth Century

For Teachers 6th - 8th
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...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Perspective on the Slave Narrative

For Teachers 9th - 12th
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.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lyddie

For Teachers 7th
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.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Expansion and Reform: Applying the Declaration of Independence

For Teachers 9th - 12th
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...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The 1808 Slave Trade Abolition Deadline

For Teachers 11th - Higher Ed
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...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Abolishing Slavery In America

For Teachers 9th - 12th
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...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Abolition of Slavery

For Teachers 8th - 12th
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...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Landmarks of the Underground Railroad

For Teachers 9th
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...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Landmarks of the Underground Railroad

For Teachers 11th - 12th
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...
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Unit Plan
Annenberg Foundation

Slavery and Freedom

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
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...
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PPT
Curated OER

Transcendentalism Terms

For Teachers 11th - 12th
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...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Before Rosa Parks: Ida B. Wells

For Teachers 6th - 8th
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.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Take a Ride on the Underground Railroad

For Teachers 9th - 12th
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...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Reconstruction

For Teachers 9th - 12th
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...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

James McCune Smith: A Model of Resistance

For Teachers 7th - 10th
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...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Inspiring Freedom: The Remond Family and Abolitionism in Salem

For Teachers 8th - 12th
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...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

John Brown Lesson Plan

For Teachers 5th - 8th
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...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Underground Railroad Activity

For Teachers 8th
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...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Freedom Voices: Abolition and Suffrage in the United States

For Teachers 8th - 11th
Students explore abolition and suffrage in the United States.