John Brown & Harpers Ferry, Grades K-5
Lessons, Resources, and Activities Explore an Important Event Leading to the American Civil War
Lesson Plans & Activities
Lesson Plans
John Brown’s Raid on Harpers Ferry and John Brown’s Body (Song)
In small groups, students in grade 4 read and analyze three letters or newspaper articles to form more “knowledgeable” opinions of John Brown’s raid.
The Trial of John Brown: A Challenge Scenario for an Upper Elementary Classroom (
MS Word, 205 KB, 9 pgs.)
Students in grade 5 recreate the trial of John Brown to explore the moral issues of slavery and the use of violence to achieve political and social objectives.
Activities
Background Resources
John Brown
People, stories, and images associated with Harpers Ferry and John Brown.
John Brown’s Harpers Ferry Raid
Articles, maps, images, and lesson plans.
John Brown Trial (1859)
Includes the trial report and testimony, Brown’s interview and address to the court, Lee’s report, Senate report, and more.
The Portent: John Brown's Raid in American Memory
The Virginia Historical Society website on the 150th anniversary of John Brown's raid on the Federal Armory at Harpers Ferry, Virginia.
John Brown: Hero or Terrorist?
Resources and teaching unit.
Video
- John Brown by Jacob Lawrence (9:56)
Jacob Lawrence's series of paintings with description. - Meet the Past: John Brown (26:28)
- John Brown’s Last Speech (2:36)
- John Brown (16 brief videos)
last updated: October 7, 2019
