Emancipation in the Lone Star State

Home Education Landmark Lesson Emancipation in the Lone Star State

Emancipation in the Lone Star State

Through using a landmark, this lesson tells the story of the Junteenth Holiday, and its importance in Texas and American History. To understand the importance of Juneteenth, students will investigate the importance of Ashton Villa and how it played a role in the emancipation of the slaves in Texas and the beginning of Juneteenth.

Location

Galveston , TX

Type of Landmark

Building

Topics

19th century
African American
Civil War

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to investigate history by understanding the importance of a landmark.

Materials

  • Juneteenth handout
  • WebQuest (list of websites used in lesson)  You may wish to create a Google doc and provide all students with access, or create your own website to fulfill this function as well.,
  • Devices to access the internet

Suggested Instructional Procedures

  1. Choose one student to read the Emancipation Proclamation while the class follows along
  2. Review the meaning of the Emancipation Proclamation and the purpose for it
  3. Introduce WebQuest
  4. Students may work in groups or individually.  Students should fill in their Juneteenth document as they research the events of Juneteeth and the role of Ashton Villa as it pertains to those events using the given websites.
  5. Come back together as a classroom to discuss what happens next.
  6. Optional homework short essay:  Should Juneteenth be a National holiday?  Why or why not?  Support your thesis with two reasons.

 

Vocabulary

Emancipation Proclamation: Presidential decree issued by President Abraham Lincoln,that went into effect January 1, 1863. The document had the effect of freeing all slaves in areas that were in a state of rebellion against the United States.

Juneteenth: A holiday celebrated on June 19th of every year to celebrate the reading of the Emancipation Proclamation to African-Americans in Texas.

 

End of Lesson Assessment

Assess answers student provide on Juneteenth worksheet. Answer key provided here.