The Underground Railroad Lesson Plan

Abolitionist for a Day

Kind of Activity:

Collaborative Writing

Objective:

Students will craft an argument against slavery in different genres.

Common Core Standards:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.1

Structure:

To begin the activity, lead students through a short freewrite. Instruct them to write as much as they can (without paying attention to grammar and spelling) in response to the following question: Why was slavery, specifically chattel slavery, wrong? Explain to students that at this point in history it is pretty commonly agreed that slavery in the United States was wrong. The purpose of this exercise is to articulate why and perhaps gain a deeper understanding of Cora’s...