Lessons for the Children: Creating a Picture Book about Slavery

Abstract:: Using the slave narratives of Harriet Jacobs and Ellen Craft made available through the Documenting the American South on-line collection, students will examine the institution of slavery, and create their own picture books.

Lunsford Lane: A Slave in North Carolina Who Buys His Freedom

Abstract:: Lunsford Lane's story is about a slave who lives in Raleigh, North Carolina. Though his master owns as many as three plantations outside of Raleigh, Mr. Lane is not a plantation slave. Rather, he works for his master in the city-dwelling. His story provides an example of an ingenious, determined, and disciplined slave who's vision and creativity affords him the opportunity to earn money and eventually buy his freedom. This is an incredible story.

Abstract:: This lesson introduces students to a description of life on the plantation and the cultivation of cotton from the perspective of a slave. It focuses on the use of slave narratives made available by the Documenting the American South collection.