Lesson 1: Day 3 - 1838 Statistics

Google Doc of This Lesson

Activity 1:  Jigsaw Close Reading 

Overview: In this activity, students will work in small groups to closely read and analyze different sections of the Committee of the Pennsylvania Society for Promoting the Abolition of Slavery’s

1838 report on The Present State and Condition of the Free People of Color, of the City of Philadelphia and Adjoining Districts. Each group will summarize and visualize key insights from their assigned topic—such as demographics, occupations, or education.

Time: 20 minutes

Format: Small Groups

Objective: SWBAT interpret thematic data from an 1838 report on free Black Philadelphians by collaborating in small groups to extract key information and visually present their findings.

• Project The Present State and Condition of the Free People of Color, of the City of Philadelphia and Adjoining Districts. Read the first section of the report and the population aloud (p. 5-6).

• Ask each group to closely read their assigned pages and pull out key facts, quotes, or data points.

• Invite groups to create a short infographic, slide, or visual summary that includes:

• • five to six key statistics 

  • a summary of what this section reveals

  • questions about the report 

  • • Is there bias or omission? 

    • What voices might be missing?

• Ask groups to share their infographic or visual summary with you so you can project what they created during the next activity. 

Activity 2:  Interpreting the Data

Overview: Following the jigsaw close reading activity, this structured discussion helps students connect the report’s contents to broader themes such as systemic challenges and historical representation. Students will engage in higher-order questioning and collaborative interpretation. 

Time: 20 minutes

Format: Whole Group

Objective: SWBAT evaluate the social and political significance of historical data by engaging in a class discussion that examines the purpose, limitations, and implications of the Committee of the Pennsylvania Society for Promoting the Abolition of Slavery’s 1838 report on The Present State and Condition of the Free People of Color, of the City of Philadelphia and Adjoining Districts.

• Invite each group to present the infographic or visual summary they created during the jigsaw activity, highlighting key takeaways from their section of the report.

• As each group presents, ask the rest of the class to jot down one insight or question sparked by each presentation to build active listening and intergroup dialogue.

Activity 3:  Wrap- Up

Overview: This wrap-up encourages students to think critically about patterns, silences, and the ongoing relevance of historical documentation.

Time: 10 minutes

Format: Whole Class

Objective: SWBAT draw connections across group findings to interpret how data from the 1838 report reveals the civic identity, challenges, and contributions of free Black Philadelphians.

• Invite students to take a moment to review their notes or insights from other groups' presentations.

• Lead a whole-class discussion using the following prompts:

• What does this collective data tell us about the lived experiences and civic identity of free Black Philadelphians in 1838?

• • Where do you see omissions or gaps—what stories aren’t being told in this report?

• Why might documenting and sharing this data have mattered in 1838—and why does it still matter now?