Source: Africans In America

Examine the contributions of various persons, groups or institutions to the resistance against slavery. Explore various perspectives and positions on the African colonization of free blacks.

Grade Level: 9-12

Subjects: Social Studies

Topics: Cultural Studies: African American Studies. United States History: 1801-1861.

Resource Type: Offline Activity/Project

Source: Africans In America

Examine the lives of free and enslaved African Americans in the early 19th century, and describe the circumstances surrounding three slave rebellions. Discuss the role of media in creating or reinforcing stereotypes, then and now.

Grade Level: 9-12

Subjects: Social Studies

Topics: Cultural Studies: African American Studies. United States History: 1801-1861.

Resource Type: Offline Activity/Project

Source: American Experience

Research a topic related to African Americans in the armed forces throughout U.S. history, and write an attention-grabbing introduction. Compare U.S. steps to protect the U.S. from alien attack during WWII with measures taken in the wake of 9/11.

Grade Level: 6-8, 9-12

Subjects: Social Studies

Topics: Cultural Studies: African American Studies. United States History: 1929-1945. United States History: 1990-present.

Resource Type: Offline Activity/Project

Source: American Experience

Prepare and compare timelines from before, during and after the Civil Rights Movement. Examine and evaluate King's "I Have a Dream" speech for its meaning and literary qualities.

Grade Level: 6-8, 9-12

Subjects: Reading & Language Arts, Social Studies

Topics: Non-Fiction: Letters, Diaries and Essays. Civics: Civil and Human Rights. Cultural Studies: African American Studies. Speeches.

Resource Type: Offline Activity/Project

Source: American Experience

Research the history, politics, economics and engineering of the Great Flood of 1927, and describe civil rights violations surrounding the event. Explore the science of levees and explain how they protect some areas at the risk of others.

Grade Level: 6-8, 9-12

Subjects: Science & Tech, Social Studies

Topics: Engineering. Geology & Natural Disasters. Civics: Civil and Human Rights. Cultural Studies: African American Studies.

Resource Type: Offline Activity/Project

Source: American Experience

Explore the life and politics of Alabama governor George Wallace and explain how ambition affected his changing opinions on racism and civil rights. Describe long-range effects Wallace's reign had on education, women in politics, and race relations.

Grade Level: 6-8, 9-12

Subjects: Social Studies

Topics: Civics: Civil and Human Rights. Cultural Studies: African American Studies.

Resource Type: Offline Activity/Project

Source: Freedom Never Dies: The Legacy Of Harry T. Moore

Write creative letters utilizing information gained from examining Harry T. Moore's views on the Groveland riots and his beliefs on the importance of blacks registering to vote. Explore Evangeline Moore's feelings after the death of her parents.

Grade Level: 6-8, 9-12

Subjects: Health & Fitness, Social Studies

Topics: Death & Dying. Civics: Civil and Human Rights. United States History: 1929-1945. Cultural Studies: African American Studies.

Resource Type: Offline Activity/Project

Source: American Experience

Study the history, original performers and songs of the Fisk University Jubilee Singers, and explain what made them a unifying force among America's slaves. Create a travelogue describing life on tour for these African Americans.

Grade Level: 6-8, 9-12

Subjects: Social Studies, The Arts

Topics: Cultural Studies: African American Studies. United States History: 1850-1877. Music.

Resource Type: Offline Activity/Project

Source: Africans In America

Compare the positions of pro-slavery and anti-slavery movements in the early 19th century. Consider the impact the institution of slavery had on particular struggles, decisions, and disagreements within groups of abolitionists, slaves, and others.

Grade Level: 9-12

Subjects: Social Studies

Topics: Cultural Studies: African American Studies. United States History: 1801-1861.

Resource Type: Offline Activity/Project

Source: Art in the 21st Century

Examine how Marshall's art is drawn from and expresses his identity as a black man and his belief that art has social responsibility. Create various artwork that reflects traditional form and narrative style.

Grade Level: 6-8, 9-12

Subjects: Social Studies, The Arts

Topics: Cultural Studies: African American Studies. Visual Arts.

Resource Type: Offline Activity/Project

Source: American Experience

Compare the philosophies, based on published speeches, of Malcolm X and Martin Luther King, Jr. to determine if their differences were in style or substance. Select five events in Malcolm X's life that were pivotal in forming his beliefs.

Grade Level: 6-8, 9-12

Subjects: Social Studies

Topics: Cultural Studies: African American Studies. Debate.

Resource Type: Offline Activity/Project

Source: American Experience

Graph statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau comparing demographic data relating to blacks and whites. Contrast the importance of working for integration versus working for equal rights in the struggle to improve conditions for African Americans.

Grade Level: 6-8, 9-12

Subjects: Social Studies

Topics: Cultural Studies: African American Studies. Economics.

Resource Type: Offline Activity/Project

Source: American Experience

Research and script a mock debate between two African-American leaders with opposing viewpoints, from the 1900s and the 1960s. Create a poster illustrating major events related to civil rights that took place in one year of the Civil Rights Movement.

Grade Level: 6-8, 9-12

Subjects: Social Studies

Topics: Civics: Civil and Human Rights. Cultural Studies: African American Studies. United States History: 1945-early 1970s.

Resource Type: Offline Activity/Project

Source: American Experience

Research the successes and failures of Marcus Garvey, examine his skill as a public speaker and describe the views of his opponents, both black and white. Investigate the actions of the F.B.I. in seeking his deportation.

Grade Level: 6-8, 9-12

Subjects: Social Studies

Topics: Cultural Studies: African American Studies. United States History: 1890-1930.

Resource Type: Offline Activity/Project

Source: Art in the 21st Century

Explore how Michael Ray Charles examines racial stereotypes in his paintings, research how others in the African American community view African-American art that uses stereotypes and examine how stereotypes are featured in various art and media.

Grade Level: 6-8, 9-12

Subjects: Social Studies, The Arts

Topics: Cultural Studies: African American Studies. Media Studies. Visual Arts.

Resource Type: Offline Activity/Project

Source: American Experience

Explore African-American presence in the political arena since the American Civil War, and create maps, graphs and biographies to show your findings. Consider how your life would change if your civil rights weren't protected.

Grade Level: 6-8, 9-12

Subjects: Social Studies

Topics: Civics: Civil and Human Rights. Civics: United States Government. Cultural Studies: African American Studies.

Resource Type: Offline Activity/Project

Source: Africans In America

Explore the rhetoric of British American colonists during the American Revolution and its application to the lives of enslaved Africans and free blacks. Understand that both fought for freedom and liberty against similar causes.

Grade Level: 9-12

Subjects: Social Studies

Topics: Cultural Studies: African American Studies. United States History: 1754-1820s.

Resource Type: Offline Activity/Project

Source: Africans In America

Explore the infringement of liberties against British Americans and slaves in the late 18th century. Examine what it meant to be free, who could take advantage of opportunities and how American identities began to form during the Revolution.

Grade Level: 9-12

Subjects: Social Studies

Topics: Cultural Studies: African American Studies. United States History: 1754-1820s.

Resource Type: Offline Activity/Project

Source: American Experience

Research the Scottsboro rape trials, and describe the changes it brought in judicial due process. Explore the economic backgrounds of both the accusers and the defendents and report on the trial from the points of view of various participants.

Grade Level: 6-8, 9-12

Subjects: Social Studies

Topics: Civics: Civil and Human Rights. Cultural Studies: African American Studies.

Resource Type: Offline Activity/Project

Source: KQED: You Decide

Examine both sides of the arguments surrounding the debate on whether modern African-Americans should receive compensation for the era of slavery. Use decision-making skills and take a stand on this controversial issue.

Grade Level: 6-8, 9-12

Subjects: Reading & Language Arts, Social Studies

Topics: Critical Thinking Skills. Civics: Civil and Human Rights. Civics: United States Government. Cultural Studies: African American Studies.

Resource Type: Offline Activity/Project

Source: American Experience

Research the racial problems as well as the changing role of women in the United States during the years of Aimee Semple McPherson's ministry. Analyze three major trends that characterized that era and create a timeline.

Grade Level: 6-8, 9-12

Subjects: Social Studies

Topics: Cultural Studies: African American Studies. United States History: 1890-1930. Womens Studies.

Resource Type: Offline Activity/Project

Source: People's Century: 1900-1999

Make comparisons between apartheid in South Africa's history and segregation in the history of the United States. Depict a personal situation where one felt the impact of racism or intolerance, and research a decade of the U.S. civil rights movement.

Grade Level: 9-12

Subjects: Social Studies

Topics: Cultural Studies: African American Studies. World History: 1945-1990.

Resource Type: Offline Activity/Project

Source: American Experience

Study the changing lyrics of Stephen Foster's folk songs as springboards for studies of pre-Civil War public feeling regarding slavery and issues of race. Describe how Foster's experiences with songwriter wages compares to copyright issues today.

Grade Level: 6-8, 9-12

Subjects: Social Studies, The Arts

Topics: Cultural Studies: African American Studies. United States History: 1850-1877. Music.

Resource Type: Offline Activity/Project

Source: For Gold & Glory

Explore the history, promoter, racial issues and events surrounding the national racing league for African Americans, including the annual "Gold and Glory" sweepstakes. Compare and contrast automobiles and the world of racing from the 1920s to today.

Grade Level: 6-8, 9-12

Subjects: Science & Tech, Social Studies

Topics: Engineering. Cultural Studies: African American Studies. Sociology. Transportation.

Resource Type: Offline Activity/Project

Source: American Experience

Explore the idea of people being chosen as symbols of national pride and patriotism and research the African-American artists and organizations of Harlem, New York, to explore the cultural renaissance of the 1930s.

Grade Level: 6-8, 9-12

Subjects: Social Studies, The Arts

Topics: Civics: Community & Citizenship. Cultural Studies: African American Studies. Music.

Resource Type: Offline Activity/Project

Source: American Experience

Reflect on Jim Crow laws, the cases marking the rise and fall of separate but equal legislation and whether it is possible to keep races both separate and equal. Imagine how black teens in northern and southern states reacted to news of lynchings.

Grade Level: 6-8, 9-12

Subjects: Social Studies

Topics: Civics: Civil and Human Rights. Cultural Studies: African American Studies.

Resource Type: Offline Activity/Project

Source: American Experience

Investigate the struggle for African-American civil rights within the timeline of U.S. history between 1863 and 1954. Research and prepare a group presentation on controversial topics related to the ongoing struggle for reparation and equality.

Grade Level: 6-8, 9-12

Subjects: Social Studies

Topics: Civics: Civil and Human Rights. Cultural Studies: African American Studies.

Resource Type: Offline Activity/Project

Source: Africans In America

Identify the Africans' struggle to survive during the Middle Passage and describe the various groups of people in the American colonies in the mid-18th century. Compare indentured servitude and slavery for Africans in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Grade Level: 9-12

Subjects: Social Studies

Topics: Cultural Studies: African American Studies. United States History: 1585-1763.

Resource Type: Offline Activity/Project

Source: American Experience

Explore the life and presidency of U.S. Grant, including his childhood in frontier Ohio, his war record, his policies toward protecting African Americans in the South and his fiscal disasters.

Grade Level: 6-8, 9-12

Subjects: Social Studies

Topics: Civics: United States Government. Cultural Studies: African American Studies. United States History: 1850-1877.

Resource Type: Offline Activity/Project

Source: Concepts Across the Curriculum

Identify notable African-American men and women who deserve attention for their contributions or accomplishments throughout U.S. history. Investigate the stories behind the cases that led to historic rulings affecting civil rights.

Grade Level: 6-8, 9-12

Subjects: Social Studies

Topics: Cultural Studies: African American Studies. Historical Perspective.

Resource Type: Offline Activity/Project