1. First you will make a chart listing the facts you already know about slavery. I will give you an example of the type of chart to use on our Smartboard.
2. In the second column you will list what you would like to know about African American Slavery in the United States.
3. Remember that you must put at least two statements in each column.
4. You will read and research text books, websites, and other literature provided by me.
Available
5. You will access the Library of Congress material, “Born in Slavery: Slave Narratives from the
Federal Writers’ Project, 1936-1938” (Voices and Faces from the Collection) and read the material.
6. You will select one of the slave narratives from this site to use as a demonstration. Make sure you
understand the purpose for reading this document and can predict the kinds of information it
might contain.
7. You will read your selection aloud in a dramatic or expressive manner to your assigned group. You will also listen to the peers, in your group, read aloud to you. As a group, you will discuss the language used in these narratives. Please remember that these narratives are written in the same language that was spoken at the time, often in nonstandard English. Students may need some assistance interpreting language and dialect. If you are having trouble understanding the language and or dialect, please reach out to me and your peers in your group.
8. On day three, you will meet with your groups to examine the perspectives of slaves that are
represented in the narrative excerpts. Please make sure you read beyond the summary on the
Web page. Please utilize the website links I have provided. Make sure you discuss the life and experiences in slavery; escape attempts and or experiences; and examples of active and passive resistance by slaves (These are your sub-headings for your master group chart).
9. You will write your findings on the master chart within your group. Don't forget to use your sub-headings on your master chart.
10. On days four and five you will introduce or present the slave you studied
to the class by describing his/her life and experiences in slavery, escape attempts and
examples of active and passive resistance. Remember to practice what you will say in
your group’s presentation, and please allow each group member to have a chance to be the “presenter”
and to practice within the group. Make sure that each member of the group has a role within the presentation.
11. As a class, we will examine our pre-assessment ideas concerning slavery. We will review the slave narrative chart, and discuss similarities and differences.
12. Before you start preparing your post-assessment pamphlets, I would like you to write in your journals for homework this evening. I want you to write about your thoughts and feelings about what you have learned in regards to slavery.
(ODE, 2012)
Pamphlet Guidelines:
Directions to Create your Pamphlet:
1. In the early and mid-nineteenth century, abolitionists encouraged the publication of
first-person slave narratives to gain support for their cause. Imagine that you are an
ex-slave living in Canada during the Civil War.
2. You will write a brief pamphlet for other literate slaves and sympathetic abolitionists
describing:
• Your life in slavery (including examples of passive resistance),
• How you planned your escape,
• Your experiences along the way to freedom.
3. You must remember that this should be written in the “first person” as if you ARE the ex-slave. Your essay should be based on two major sources:
• The general concepts and facts you know about slavery,
• What your classmates have presented to you from their reports on slave
narratives.
4. Organize your pamphlet by using these three bold headings:
• Life in Slavery
• My Escape
• The Path to Freedom
5. Be sure to include factual information in your narrative.
6. Create a title for your pamphlet. Make the cover colorful and be creative.
(ODE, 2012)
