New York State Test Prep Social Studies 5 (Grade 4) Encounters with People from Europe, Africa, and the Americas

ACTIVITY:
Interview with an Enslaved Person

PREREQUISITES: Students must have a general knowledge of slavery and the life of an enslaved person in the U.S., during colonial times. This may be accomplished through textbook reading, read-alouds, media presentations, and class discussions.

SKILLS:         Listening and speaking
                        Prewriting: questioning
                        Interviewing techniques
                        Inventing imaginative descriptions and details through role playing
                        Historical accuracy
                        Note-taking
                        Organizing and selecting information
                        Transcribing notes
                        Editing and revising
                        Word Processing

PROCEDURE: Each student will assume the role of both interviewer and an enslaved person. S/he should be paired with different partners for each role.

Brainstorm ideas for questions with the whole group. Try to make line of questioning such that answers must be inventive descriptions. Avoid questions like: “What color are your eyes?” “Do you have any pets?” “What is your favorite color?” etc. Work for questions such as: “Describe your work as an enslaved person.” “Tell me about your family.” “Have you ever been sold?” etc.

As interviewers, the students should choose eight to ten questions to ask the enslaved people they are interviewing. Use leads like: Tell me about… Describe…How do you feel about… Interviewers should take notes as they listen to the enslaved person’s answers and descriptions.

As an enslaved people, the students should be talkative and imaginative. They should first introduce themselves to the interviewers, giving their slave name and age. They should be creative and have fun inventing their role.

The teacher should model both roles as interviewer and enslaved person. S/he should provide the interviewer with good sample questions and answers.

Interviews should be written in the third person point of view. Direct quotations may be used if the student has mastered that skill.

This activity may take several class periods and ample time for completion should be given. Final interviews may be read aloud to the class.