To Kill a Mockingbird: An Historical Perspective The Emancipation Proclamation: Unfulfilled Promises

Activity One: Emancipation Proclamation: The Promise (2 days)

1. In American Memory, open Mr. Lincoln's Virtual Library and read the introductory material.
2. Choose The Emancipation Proclamation and read the Introduction.
3. Choose the Gallery to see the First Draft of the Emancipation Proclamation. (Click on the thumbnail image to see enlarged versions.) Students enjoy viewing the document in Lincoln's own handwriting; however, I furnish students with a typed transcript for easier reading.
4. Discuss the meaning of the document and the implications of its message.
5. Give students copies of Emancipation Proclamation (preliminary version). First edition. Washington, September 22, 1862.
6. Go to the Final Draft of the Emancipation Proclamation. Give the students a typed transcript of this document.
7. Students work in pairs and examine the three transcripts of the Emancipation Proclamation.
8. Each pair should complete the Emancipation Proclamation Comparison/Analysis Sheet.

Activity Two: The Negro Mother: The Dream (one day)

1. Read the poem, "The Negro Mother," by Langston Hughes.
2. Complete the Reader's Response Guide.

Activity Three: Emancipation Oration! The Truth (2 days)

1. Provide students with copies of the Emancipation Oration! delivered by Rev. E.K. Love at the Emancipation Celebration in Augusta, Georgia, January 1st, 1891.
2. Working in pairs, students read the oration aloud.
3. Each pair of students then completes the Oration Analysis Guide.

Activity Four: The Writing Connection (1 day)

Using one of the documents that you read in this unit, create an original found poem that captures the essence of the document.

• A found poem is created by taking words and phrases from the document that capture its essence. Rearrange the words as needed. Eliminate "a" and "the" and other unnecessary words. Capture the subjective perceptions of the document.
• Give full credit to the source of the poem by including a complete bibliography citation.