Lesson Plan

Frances Ellen Watkins Harper: 19th Century African-American Writer and Reformer

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Although some African American abolitionists—such as Sojourner Truth and Frederick Douglass—are well known, others, like Frances Ellen Watkins Harper, remain in the shadows of history. Harper was a poet and activist who played an important role in the abolition movement. Young scholars use her poetry and other resource materials to understand how she fits into the story of abolition.

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CCSS: Adaptable
Instructional Ideas
  • Use the resource to supplement a poetry unit 
  • Offer the lesson as part of a unit on famous African American writers
Classroom Considerations
  • Learners must have background information on the abolitionist movement and John Brown to complete all the activities
Pros
  • Resource uses an interdisciplinary approach to teach history
  • Lesson offers options for various approaches to scaffolding activities
Cons
  • None