Activity Overview
This activity can be used as either an introductory assignment or an exit assignment at the end of the unit. Students will interpret excerpts from the Emancipation Proclamation and articulate what each excerpt means to them. By allowing students to put the document into their own words and formulate their opinion or stance on specific excerpts, you will be able to see where students are at (great for meeting them in the middle for the rest of the unit). In turn, students will be better prepared for class discussions and further analysis activities.
Extended Activity
For an extended activity, have students take their personal interpretations and debate the success of the Emancipation Proclamation. Have students organize their ideas using a grid storyboard to better present their positions. They are to defend their position and interpretations with facts and logic.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that describes what the Emancipation Proclamation means to you.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- In the first column, type in the quotes/excerpts you selected.
- In the second column, describe what the quote means to you.
- Create illustrations for each cell using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
Lesson Plan Reference
Activity Overview
This activity can be used as either an introductory assignment or an exit assignment at the end of the unit. Students will interpret excerpts from the Emancipation Proclamation and articulate what each excerpt means to them. By allowing students to put the document into their own words and formulate their opinion or stance on specific excerpts, you will be able to see where students are at (great for meeting them in the middle for the rest of the unit). In turn, students will be better prepared for class discussions and further analysis activities.
Extended Activity
For an extended activity, have students take their personal interpretations and debate the success of the Emancipation Proclamation. Have students organize their ideas using a grid storyboard to better present their positions. They are to defend their position and interpretations with facts and logic.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that describes what the Emancipation Proclamation means to you.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- In the first column, type in the quotes/excerpts you selected.
- In the second column, describe what the quote means to you.
- Create illustrations for each cell using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
Lesson Plan Reference
How Tos about What Does the Emancipation Proclamation Mean to Me?
How to Guide Students in Citing Historical Evidence to Support Their Interpretations
Encourage students to find direct quotes from the Emancipation Proclamation that back up their ideas. Model how to select relevant excerpts and explain why they fit the students’ interpretations.
Show Students How to Explain Their Reasoning Clearly
Ask students to connect each quote to their own words. Prompt them to explain not just what the excerpt says, but how it shapes their opinion or understanding of the document’s meaning.
Support Students in Using Visuals to Communicate Ideas
Demonstrate how to create simple drawings or diagrams for each excerpt. Encourage students to use visuals to show feelings, actions, or outcomes described in the text for deeper engagement.
Foster Peer Feedback on Interpretations
Organize brief peer review sessions where students share their storyboards and give each other feedback. Guide students to offer specific praise and questions to help their classmates clarify or deepen their interpretations.
Frequently Asked Questions about What Does the Emancipation Proclamation Mean to Me?
What is the purpose of the Emancipation Proclamation lesson activity for students?
The Emancipation Proclamation lesson activity helps students interpret historical excerpts and express what the document means to them, supporting critical thinking and personal engagement with primary sources.
How can I guide students to analyze excerpts from the Emancipation Proclamation?
Encourage students to select key excerpts, put them in their own words, and explain their significance. Use a T-chart or storyboard to organize thoughts and foster classroom discussion.
What are some ways to extend the Emancipation Proclamation lesson for high school students?
Have students debate the success of the Emancipation Proclamation, create a grid storyboard to present arguments, and support their views with facts and logical reasoning.
What skills do students develop by interpreting the Emancipation Proclamation in their own words?
Students build critical thinking, historical analysis, and communication skills by rephrasing and reflecting on the Emancipation Proclamation's meaning and impact.
What is a grid storyboard and how can it be used in this lesson?
A grid storyboard is a graphic organizer that helps students visually lay out quotes, interpretations, and illustrations, making their analysis of the Emancipation Proclamation more organized and engaging.
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Emancipation Proclamation
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