Search this site

What Did Lincoln Think About Slavery From: Zinn Education Project Grade Level: HS, (College) Remote Ready: With Modifications Time: 1 Class Period Length of Reading: Pages Link: A War to Free the Slaves? Students read excerpts from Lincoln's first inaugural address, the original proposed 13th Amendment (which preserved slavery), and the Emancipation Proclamation. Students answer written and discussion questions to address how Lincoln's intention to keep or do away with slavery changed. < Back Next > More Information: Grade Level: HS, (College): This lesson is meant for high school students; however we think it would be well suited for college students too This Activity Involves: Primary Source: This activity utilizes primary sources. Group Work: This activity calls for working in pairs or groups or having a group discussion. Image: Magee, J. L.. “Emancipation. And by virtue of the power and for the purpose aforesaid, I do order and declare that all persons held as slaves, within designated states and parts of States are, and henceforeward [sic] shall be free!” Library of Congress. https://www.loc.gov/item/scsm000450/. Accessed 6.10.2010.

Articles of Confederation From: Gilder Lehrman Grade Level: MS, HS, College Remote Ready: With Modifications Time: 1 Class Period Length of Reading: Page Link: Articles of Confederation Seven student groups are each assigned a different section of the Articles of Confederation (see link for Articles and section recommendations). Each group summarizes their sections on large sheets of paper. These sheets are then hung around the room. Students do a gallery walk while filling-out a T-chart with the pros and cons of the Articles. The class then discusses what they found. Gilder Lehrman resources are free but you must log in. < Back Next > More Information: Grade Level: MS, HS, College: This lesson is meant for middle school, high school, and college students This Activity Involves: Primary Source: This activity utilizes primary sources. Group Work: This activity calls for working in pairs or groups or having a group discussion. Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union between the states of New Hampshire . [Williamsburg: Printed by J. Dixon & W. Hunter] Photograph. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, .

Reconstruction Meet and Greet From: Zinn Education Project Grade Level: (MS), HS Remote Ready: With Modifications Time: 1 Class Period or Less Length of Reading: Paragraphs Link: When the Impossible Suddenly Became Possible: A Reconstruction Mixer Role play. Each student gets a half-page description of one of 21 people who fought for African American or women's rights after the Civil War (examples include Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Frederick Douglass, African American politicians, etc). Students meet and greet each other in character, asking one of 8 provided questions. Added bonus: students practice social skills. Finally the class discusses using provided questions. Click "Download to Read in Full" to get to the PDF instructions (you actually have to do this twice). < Back Next > More Information: Grade Level: (MS), HS: This lesson is meant for middle school students; however, we thing it would be well suited for high school students too This Activity Involves: Group Work: This activity calls for working in pairs or groups or having a group discussion. Frances Ellen Watkins Harper, -1911 . Photograph. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, .

Desperate Crossing: The untold Story of the Mayflower From: History Channel Grade Level: (MS), (HS), (College) Remote Ready: No Time: 3 hrs (see shorter clip recommended below) Length of Reading: None Link: None Desperate Crossing: The Untold Story of the Mayflower provides an overview of the Pilgrim's voyage and settlement. It uses historical re-enactors and commentary from historical experts to tell its story. At 3 hours long, the film has time to examine in depth the religious situation in England. I usually skip that part and start at the segment where the Pilgrims land ("Scouts on Land" at the 1 hr 29 min mark). < Back Next > More Information: Grade Level: (MS), (HS), (College): We put these in parentheses because there is no specified age group for the activity; however, we think it would be well suited for middle school, high school, and college students This Activity Involves: Movie: This activity involves a clip, film, or documentary. sailn1. "Plimouth Plantation." Flickr, 19 August 2025, https://www.flickr.com/photos/moondance38/7810295894/in/photolist-cUaNS3-cUaNNh-cUaNso-cUaNoS-cUaNj3-3qgNaz-3qgZtp-3qmrEj-3qmvnq-3qmja3-3qmhJb-3qgPYi-3qgS1g-Aecs1T-3qgVHV-z3Czdz-z3wtom-yogz2g-z3Csrt-7bc34B-4cGKgT-4cGHz6-cUaMYS-2d9te7e-8FbTKJ-8FbRG1-8F8D36-8F8CPZ-34TXrU-8F8DSH-8F8Cpz-8FbScA-8F8HEn-8F8DpZ-8FbNuu-2pDuBFE-8F8Fie-8FbUgb-8F8Hre-8F8Ekk-8FbPvs-8F8BZF-8FbU95-8F8GKD-8FbQzC-8F8BED-8FbQ8m-2oHczeC-8FbSqd-8F8Dg2/ .