Lesson Plan

Free, but Not Free: Life of Free Blacks Before the Civil War

Curated and Reviewed by Lesson Planet

Using the family stories of a famous comedian and singer-songwriter, learners consider what life was like for African Americans who were enslaved and free before the Civil War. To complete a concluding activity, they write about the similarities and differences.

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CCSS: Adaptable
Instructional Ideas
  • Use videos from Finding Your Roots to consider the personal histories of African Americans before emancipation
  • Discuss personal family histories after exploring the materials
Classroom Considerations
  • One of a series of resources from PBS exploring the lives of African Americans
Pros
  • Lesson includes videos that are curated and easy to use
  • Step-by-step directions make implementation simple
  • Famous people showcasing their families' stories engages students
Cons
  • At least one resource link is no longer working