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Middle School (6-8)

Understanding African American History through Museum Artifacts

Grade Level: 6-8
Subject: Social Studies / History
Duration: 60-75 minutes
Topic: Exploring African American History and Culture through Artifacts

This lesson plan for grades 6-8 encourages students to actively engage with African American history by exploring artifacts through the African American Museum’s repository. The activities foster historical analysis, critical thinking, and meaningful discussion about cultural contributions and historical events.

Lesson

Learning Objectives:

  1. Students will analyze historical artifacts to gain insight into key events, figures, and contributions in African American history.

  2. Students will develop research and critical thinking skills by interpreting the meaning and context of artifacts from the African American Museum repository.

  3. Students will understand the impact of African American history on the broader narrative of U.S. history.

Materials:

  • Computers or tablets with internet access to the African American Museum repository website.

  • Projector or screen for group viewing (optional).

  • Research and analysis worksheet for artifact study.

  • Pens or pencils.

  • Optional: Chart paper and markers for group presentations.

Standards:

  • Social Studies: Examine the contributions of diverse groups to the development of the United States; analyze historical sources and artifacts.

  • ELA: Use textual evidence to support analysis of primary and secondary sources; write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic.

Structure

1. Introduction (10-15 minutes)

  • Discussion: Begin by discussing how historical artifacts help us understand the past. Ask students:

    • "What do you think an artifact is?"

    • "Why are artifacts important for learning about history?"

    • "How do museums help preserve history?"

  • Introduce the Lesson: Explain that students will explore the African American Museum repository to learn about important events, figures, and cultural contributions to African American history.

2. Guided Website Exploration (15-20 minutes)

  • Overview of the Museum Repository:

    • Navigate to the African American Museum repository website and explore its layout. Show students how to find different exhibits and artifacts.

    • Highlight a few key categories that students will explore, such as:

      • Civil Rights Movement: Marches, protests, and significant legislation.

      • African American Cultural Contributions: Music, art, literature, and traditions.

      • Historical Figures: Prominent individuals like Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, and Malcolm X.

  • Demonstrate:

    • Select one artifact (e.g., a photo from the March on Washington or an artwork from the Harlem Renaissance) and guide the class in analyzing it.

    • Ask guiding questions:

      • What do you notice about this artifact?

      • Who was involved in creating or using it?

      • What does this artifact tell us about the time period or event?

3. Independent/Group Activity: Artifact Research and Analysis (20-25 minutes)

  • Divide into Groups: Split the class into small groups or pairs. Assign each group an artifact or category from the museum repository to research. Alternatively, let students select an artifact that interests them.

  • Group Research Task:

    • Have each group investigate the artifact by answering the following questions on the Artifact Analysis Worksheet:

      • Description: What is the artifact? Describe it in detail.

      • Context: What historical event or figure is this artifact connected to?

      • Significance: Why is this artifact important to African American history? What does it teach us?

      • Personal Reflection: What did your group find most interesting or surprising about this artifact?

  • Worksheet Completion: Groups should write down their findings and prepare to share them with the class.

4. Group Presentations (15-20 minutes)

  • Present Findings: Each group will present their artifact, explaining its historical significance and what they learned from analyzing it.

    • Encourage students to reference the historical context and any additional research they conducted.

  • Class Discussion: After each presentation, facilitate a brief discussion:

    • How does this artifact connect to larger themes in African American history?

    • What similarities or differences do we notice between the artifacts?

5. Reflection and Wrap-Up (5-10 minutes)

  • Reflection Questions: Ask students to reflect on the following questions, either in discussion or in writing:

    • "What is one thing you learned today about African American history that you didn’t know before?"

    • "Why is it important to preserve and study artifacts from the past?"

    • "How do African American contributions shape the history of the United States?"

  • Summarize the Lesson: Emphasize the value of studying history through primary sources like artifacts and the role of African American culture in shaping U.S. history.

Structure

Assessment:

  • Group Participation: Evaluate how well students worked together during the artifact analysis.

  • Presentation: Assess the clarity and depth of the group presentations.

  • Worksheet: Review the completed artifact analysis worksheets to ensure comprehension.

  • Reflection: Consider student responses to reflection questions, whether in discussion or written form.

Extension Activities:

  • Extended Research Project: Have students choose one artifact or historical figure to research further. They can create a short report or presentation explaining the broader context and significance.

  • Classroom Museum: Create a "museum" in the classroom where each group displays their artifact analysis and any additional research or creative projects (e.g., drawings, models).

  • Field Trip: If possible, organize a field trip to a local museum that features African American history or invite a guest speaker from a museum to talk about preserving cultural heritage.

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