(Recommended for Language Arts, Social Studies)
Unchained Memories (Video)
Objectives:
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To determine how point of view influences our understanding of history
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To learn about the experiences of African American during slavery
To further develop critical thinking and analytical skills
Materials:
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Video, Selected Books (See Student Bibliography, Slave Narratives)
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Procedure:
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Students will use a K-W-L Chart while conducting research. They will begin by completing the K column (What they know about slavery). The teacher will then provide background information on this documentary of slave life narratives. Students will then fill in the W column (What they want to know about slavery). Remind students that research will focus on obtaining information from the slaves' perspective. Review various methods of note taking. As students view excerpts of the video, they should note what each account reveals about life during slavery. During the research process, students will also seek to find answers to the questions they had written in the W column of the KWL chart. Students will share their findings during a class discussion. For additional reading of autobiographical accounts, see student bibliography. Students will then complete the L column (What they learned) of the K-W-L Chart.
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Activity:
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Write a narrative depicting what you learned about slaves and their contribution to the creation of the larger American culture. This account should be written from the African-Americans' viewpoint.
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Activity:
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Describe at least three things you learned from the video. Were you surprised about anything? If yes, explain. How have these findings changes your learning experiences?
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Final Assessment of Unit
Integrating the Arts
Based on your Art Emphasis, select a medium to explain the life of a New England slave in the 17th or 18th century. For Creative Writing and Visual Arts, you may write a storybook for fourth or fifth grade students. For Video, create an animated cartoon or a documentary. Dance students may retell the story through dance with the aid of a narrator. Students of Photography will create a photobiography (documentary). Feel free to form groups of three or four students. Be creative and have fun. Remember, your final product will be viewed by your peers and teachers.
Optional Lessons
Write a poem about an average day in the life of a New England slave.
Create a story quilt or collage depicting the life of a New England slave in the 18th century.
Persuasive Essay
Many African Americans have made significant contributions to society in the field of business, science, literature and the Arts. Do you think that we should focus on these contributions just during the month of February when we celebrate African American History or do you think this topic should be taught year round in the school curriculum?
Write a letter to a friend or relative telling them what you learned about New England slaves in the 17th and 18th centuries. Were you surprised about anything? If yes, explain your answer.