Today we have quite a mix of resources to offer as our Intermediate – UMS begin to touch on the difficult topic of slavery in Colonial America while our Primary students embark on their study of the Iroquois Indians. Slavery is a tough topic and it will not be the last we address this year. As Sarah Shotwell reminded us at the History Experience last Tuesday, discomfort is okay and even though it can be hard to learn about the tragedies and traumas of our nation’s past, we must remember that we are not here to judge, condemn, or praise, etc.; we are here to learn the truth.
We also have some links relating to the artist Benjamin West as our Primary and Intermediate students are enjoying the fun story of Benjamin West and His Cat Grimalkin.
Resource Links:
Benjamin West Paintings | Our Primary and Intermediate students may enjoy perusing some of the work of “The Father of American Painting”.
Iroquois Indian Fact Sheet | A series of questions and answers about the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Indians.
Iroquois Facts for Kids | Easy to read facts about the Iroquois Indians.
Slave Trade Map | This kid-friendly website gives a simplified introduction to the slave trade.
The Triangular Slave Trade | This site is very straightforward with some helpful graphics of the routes used.
Plantation Life | This is a page from a site called Understanding Slavery Initiative.
New England Colonies’ Use of Slavery | “Although slavery ended earlier in the North than in the South…colonial New England played an undeniable role in the long and grim history of American slavery.”
Slavery in British Colonial America | This article addresses the misconception that slavery was “a uniquely or distinctively Southern institution prior to the American Revolution.”
Thirteen Colonies Facts for Kids | Wanting more info about the 13 colonies? This kid-friendly site makes it easy to explore facts about each colony.
Video Links:
*Parents, please preview for your students first.
Benjamin West: A Collection of 135 Paintings | View Benjamin West’s paintings set to music.
The Atlantic Slave Trade | This well done Ted-Ed illustrated video explains how the Atlantic Slave Trade began and its long-term effects. (Intermediate & up.)
Plantation Life | A short video describing plantation life for the enslaved African Americans. (Intermediate & up.)
Slavery in the British Colonies | The Khan Academy discusses slavery in the colonies, slave codes, & the life of the enslaved. (Intermediate & up.)
How to Draw a Black Cat | A fun video teaching how to draw a cartoon-like black cat, perhaps his name is Grimalkin. Try this video for a more challenging video on how to draw a realistic cat.
