Exploring 'The 1619 Project'
3 Activities
Grades 6 - 12
3 Hours 45 Minutes
Overview
This module is designed to introduce students to The 1619 Project, an initiative of The New York Times Magazine that examines the legacy of slavery in contemporary U.S. systems and society, and celebrates Black Americans' contributions to democracy.
Students will explore images, multimedia, and short text excerpts associated with the project. They will strengthen their knowledge and critical thinking skills through engaging discussion and hands-on activities such as a fact-sorting challenge, a gallery walk, and the collaborative construction of a timeline of racial (in)justice.
For more activities that explore the injustices of slavery and uplift the resistance and innovation of Black Americans, visit The 1619 Project playlist from the Pulitzer Center, also available on Mizzen.
Quality Instructional Practices
Continue Your Journey
1
1
Visualizing the Legacy of Slavery: Gallery Walk and Quote Museum
Students will learn about the ways in which slavery’s legacy persists in U.S. systems and society by examining images and text in an engaging gallery walk activity. They will also practice visually communicating tone and information to others by creating a group “quote museum.”
Grades 6 - 12
45 Minutes
2
2
Analyzing and Constructing Timelines of Racial (In)justice
Students reflect on how myths about history are perpetuated, analyze a timeline of racial (in)justice from The 1619 Project, and collaborate to build timelines that illustrate how the fight for racial justice continues in their own lifetimes.
Grades 6 - 12
45 Minutes
3
3
Fact-sorting Challenge: Examining Common Myths About U.S. Slavery
Students learn about common inaccuracies in how slavery is taught and then strengthen their own knowledge and media literacy skills by working together to distinguish myths from facts, using credible sources.
Grades 6 - 12
45 Minutes
Exploring 'The 1619 Project'
Overview
Quality Instructional Practices
Continue Your Journey
1
1
Visualizing the Legacy of Slavery: Gallery Walk and Quote Museum
Students will learn about the ways in which slavery’s legacy persists in U.S. systems and society by examining images and text in an engaging gallery walk activity. They will also practice visually communicating tone and information to others by creating a group “quote museum.”
Grades 6 - 12
45 Minutes
2
2
Analyzing and Constructing Timelines of Racial (In)justice
Students reflect on how myths about history are perpetuated, analyze a timeline of racial (in)justice from The 1619 Project, and collaborate to build timelines that illustrate how the fight for racial justice continues in their own lifetimes.
Grades 6 - 12
45 Minutes
3
3
Fact-sorting Challenge: Examining Common Myths About U.S. Slavery
Students learn about common inaccuracies in how slavery is taught and then strengthen their own knowledge and media literacy skills by working together to distinguish myths from facts, using credible sources.
Grades 6 - 12
45 Minutes
Copyright © 2026, Mizzen Education, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit on a mission to empower, uplift and support out-of-school time educators.
Copyright © 2026, Mizzen Education, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit on a mission to empower, uplift and support out-of-school time educators.