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.
Emancipation in the Lone Star State
Printer-friendly version
Emancipation in the Lone Star State
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
- Choose one student to read the Emancipation Proclamation while the class follows along
- Review the meaning of the Emancipation Proclamation and the purpose for it
- Introduce WebQuest
- 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.
- Come back together as a classroom to discuss what happens next.
- 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.
Subject
History
Grade Level
High School
Duration of Lesson
One class period
Standards/Eligible Content
Texas AP Curriculum: KC 5.3 Union Victory and unresolved issues following the Civil War.
Common Core Standards
Common Core, Writing Standards for Literacy in History Grades 11-12:8. Gather relevant information from multiple authoritative print and digital sources, using advanced searches effectively; assess the strengths and limitations of each source in terms of
Funders/Sponsors
Cultures of Independence has been made possible in part by a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities: Celebrating 50 Years of Excellence
Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this website or during the institutes, do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Additional funding is being provided by Wells Fargo through HEAD for the Future, its partnership with HSP, and by Independence National Historical Park.
Attention Teachers!
Let us know how you used this plan and be featured on our site! Submit your story here.