For Teachers: Activities and Lesson Plans: Language Arts 7-12:
Lesson 2: Shine the Spotlight on Courage: A Research Project and Presentation

English/Grades 11-12
Reading, Writing, Research, Discussion, and Presentation (Possible Drama)

Context and Content Knowledge           

This lesson will require considerable instructional time, as it is designed to be a research and presentation project that will allow the students to work in small groups.  Total time for this project will vary, depending on class size and academic level; approximate time needed to gather research, confer with group members, and develop a research paper and presentation is one to two weeks for 45-minute class periods and one to two weeks of 90-minute class periods.

In this lesson, students will be given instructions, guidelines, and a scoring rubric (to be designed by the instructor) that outline the expectations for the project.  The content knowledge to be covered in this activity is twofold; first, the students will learn, develop, and utilize research, writing, and speaking skills, and, second, the students will learn about a specific aspect of the Underground Railroad.

Rationale

This lesson will provide the students with the opportunity to collaborate with fellow learners, thereby teaching skills of cooperation and delegation of responsibility.  Further, the students will be given time to refine their research and organizational skills.  Most importantly, the students will be working to improve and strengthen their writing and verbal skills within the historical context of the United States in the years preceding the Civil War.  This activity will expose students to the conflicts in the country and the divisive effects of the institution of slavery.  As they are gathering background information about key figures in the anti-slavery movement, students will explore ambiguities and contradictions in northern white communities and identify racial stereotypes that have haunted our country since its inception.

Standards

Educational Goals     (what/how will students learn?)

1. Students will learn the basic steps in the research process.
2. Students will work cooperatively in groups to develop a research paper and presentation.
3. Students will gain insight into the various aspects of the institution of slavery and the abolition movement.
4. Students will revise, refine, and present a presentation based on their research paper.

Activities/Procedures

• Develop and distribute a handout describing the guidelines and expectations for the research paper and presentation
• Assign or allow students to choose their partners (2-3 per group, depending on class size)
• Provide time for the students to access information via the internet and in the library, giving guidance and instruction as necessary, depending on experience and academic level of students
• Topics will vary (suggestions below)
  • Biographical report on one of the numerous important local figures in the Underground Railroad network of “safe houses” and free black communities (see Biographies, Interview Transcripts for ideas)
  • Persuasive/Argumentative thesis – Debate and defend a position based on factual information surrounding the divisive conflict between the North and South
  • A chronicle or timeline of important black people who played a role in helping fugitive slaves
  • An analysis of the importance of literature and education during the time of slavery

Materials/References Needed

Handouts with guidelines, topic possibilities, and scoring rubric
Library and computer lab with internet access

Online Resources

Lesson plans developed by Emily Johnson, a 10^th grade language arts teacher in Dubois, Pennsylvania.