Lesson Plan

“The Fifteenth Amendment in Flesh and Blood,” The Symbolic Generation of Black Americans in Congress, 1870–1887

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This “The Fifteenth Amendment in Flesh and Blood,” The Symbolic Generation of Black Americans in Congress, 1870–1887 lesson plan also includes:

The reading of a contextual essay launches a study of Black Americans who served in Congress from 1870 through 1887. Young historians identify the African Americans who served during this period, investigate the ways they won national elective office, and examine the issues these congressmen faced.

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Instructional Ideas
  • Include in a study of the Reconstruction Era and/or during February's Black History Month
  • Investigate the diversity in the current congress
  • Conclude the lesson with a gallery walk of the exhibits
Classroom Considerations
  • First in a series of seven related resources
  • Requires access to computers with internet
  • The contextual essay is lengthy; consider assigning the reading as homework and ask pupils to highlight key passages and record questions for discussion
Pros
  • The four-page resource includes a step-by-step lesson plan, discussion, comprehension, and critical thinking questions
  • Instructors can choose between a cooperative and a hypothetical activity to end the lesson
Cons
  • None