Last updated: July 29, 2022
Lesson Plan
Quest for Omitted History: Part 2
- Grade Level:
- Middle School: Sixth Grade through Eighth Grade
- Subject:
- Literacy and Language Arts,Social Studies
- Lesson Duration:
- 60 Minutes
- State Standards:
- MA Curriculum Framework for English Language Arts and Literacy: Grade 7 Reading Standards for Informational Texts: 3, 6
MA Curriculum Framework for History and Social Science: Grades 6–8 Reading Standards for Literacy in the Content Areas: 2, 4
Essential Question
How do specific, local examples of historic injustices make the historical record more accurate and inclusive?
Objective
As a result of this lesson plan, students will…
1. Students will determine key information in historical texts.
2. Students will organize information in chronological order.
3. Students will infer the feelings of an historical figure at various stages in life.
Background
Historians' work involves investigating the past by analyzing different kinds of evidence to get as complete an understanding as possible, much like how detective work involves seeing how different clues all fit together. In part 2 of this 3-part lesson plan, students engage with sources that focus on the life of an enslaved and later freed Salem man of African descent.
Preparation
1. Review discussion from the previous lesson, "Quest for Omitted History," Part 1 and share students’ previous ideas.
2. Introduce directions and give students the primary sources about Sabe Derby.
3. Provide students a tool to organize their information such as a graphic organizer, timeline, etc.
Materials
This packet includes 12 scanned images of primary source documents and their transcriptions.
Download Primary Source Packet Part 2
Procedure
1. Distribute the primary source documents to students. Ask students to read them and arrange documents in chronological order.
2. Students record the events on a graphic organizer/timeline.
3. In small groups, students imagine and discuss Sabe Derby’s potential thoughts and feelings at the various moments in his life.
4. Students then add these emotions to the graphic organizer.
Vocabulary
A Note on Language: Over the course of American history the language used to describe Black people has changed and most likely will continue to change. In these materials we use Black and African American interchangeably. Be sure to discuss with students that some of the primary sources they will encounter in these lessons use outdated terms as well as racist and offensive language to describe Black people. We recommend developing a plan or guidelines with students to ensure a respectful, reflective classroom discussion.
Additional Resources
Author Recognition: The "Quest for Omitted History" lesson series was developed by Casey Silot, grade 7 teacher, English Language Arts, Thurgood Marshall Middle School, Lynn, Massachusetts.
Donor Recognition: This program was made possible by a grant from the National Park Foundation through the generous support of Union Pacific Railroad and donors across the country.
Partner Recognition: The National Park Service at Salem Maritime collaborated with The Hard History Project and local teachers to co-create lesson plans dealing with slavery and freedom. Thank you to the staff of The Phillips Library at the Peabody Essex Museum where most of the documents used in these lessons are preserved and made accessible.