United States History

Slave songs

This lesson plan allows students to learn more about the religious observances of slaves in the United States by presenting hymns from Slave Songs in the US digitized in the Documenting the American South Collection. This is a great lesson to introduce the intersection of religion and slavery in a US history or African American history class.

Format: lesson plan (grade 11–12 Social Studies)

By Meghan Mcglinn.

Role plays from research on Native Americans

In Teaching about North Carolina American Indians, page 5.3

Introduction Dramatic role plays make history come alive. Research has a purpose! Students select a North Carolina American Indian to research. (I find students feel more connected if they do the selecting. Drawing names from a deck of 3x5 cards adds...

Format: lesson plan (grade 8 and 11 English Language Arts and Social Studies)

By Linda Tabor.

Mid-1800s reform era group presentations

Students will work in groups to present information on the reforms of the mid 1800's. Topics could include the Unitarians, abolition, women's rights, growth in education, treatment of the mentally ill, temperance, and utopian communities.

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Social Studies)

By Angie Panel Holthausen.

Interracial "harmony" and the Great Awakening

The students will be introduced to two episodes in 19th century American history, around the time of the Great Awakening, that show glimpses of some positive and negative consequences of interracial interaction in a religious context. The students will examine primary sources from the Documenting the American South collection to then be able to write a "sermon" from the perspective of a southern itinerant preacher during the Great Awakening arguing for or against religion as a cure for the social ill of racism and slavery.

Format: lesson plan (grade 11–12 Social Studies)

By Jamie Lathan.

Resources on the web

Tracing abolitionist movements in North Carolina

In this United States history lesson, students read about major figures in the abolition movement in North Carolina. They then read documents written by these figures and create a PowerPoint presentation analyzing the information they read. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 11 Social Studies)

Provided by: UNC Libraries