Lincoln Lesson Idea: The Great Slave Debate
Level - Middle School - High School
Subjects - Social Studies, History, Government, Debate, Geography
Objectives:
Students will demonstrate their understanding of slavery and the Civil War by researching, debating, and evaluating the positions of the Secessionists, Abolitionists, Unionists, Non-Secessionists, and Compromise Proponents.
Activity:
Use the site Lincoln Goes To War which provides a ready to go lesson plan about slavery (aligned to National Standards) with your class. Divide your class into five groups (Secessionists, Non-Secessionists, Unionists, Abolitionists, or Compromise Proponents). Allow the groups time to research and prepare for a debate. Consider having students tape the debate and share it via TeacherTube.
Why not have each group write a blog entry defending their position. The five groups could even have a virtual debate using a blog or wiki.
Tips:
Not familiar with wikis? Why not take a quick tour of TeacherFirst's Wiki Walk-Through.
Web Resources
| Lincoln Goes to War | Read the TeachersFirst review |
| TeacherTube | Read the TeachersFirst review |
| TeachersFirst Wiki Walk-Through | Read the TeachersFirst review |
Return to Lincoln Lesson Idea listings