# Lesson 1: Day 4 - Beneficial Socieites ## Google Doc of This Lesson [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1--MUd67kHR6uBqvD-FKKlR8dnoVJ4au7IddvvwV9zt0/edit?usp=sharing](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1--MUd67kHR6uBqvD-FKKlR8dnoVJ4au7IddvvwV9zt0/edit?usp=sharing) ## **Activity 1:**  **Examining Beneficial Societies** **Overview:** In this activity, students examine 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* to explore the purpose and impact of Black benevolent societies in 1838 Philadelphia. Through guided discussion, students will analyze how these organizations reflected the needs, priorities, and resilience of free Black communities facing systemic barriers. **Time:** 10 minutes **Format:** Whole Group **Objective:** SWBAT analyze historical text and data to interpret how Black benevolent societies in 1838 Philadelphia addressed community needs and demonstrated collective strategies of self-determination. * Project [***__The Present State and Condition of the Free People of Color, of the City of Philadelphia and Adjoining Districts__***](https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=hvd.hnptj8&seq=7&view=1up).  * Read the introduction to the Second Report and the section on Beneficial Societies aloud (p. 21-25). * Project the [__Beneficial Societies in 1838 by Size of Funding__](https://www.1838blackmetropolis.com/beneficilal-socieities) chart. * Lead students in a discussion using the following questions: * * What do the focus of the Black benevolent societies in 1838 Philadelphia tell us about the priorities of these community members at that time? * Which types of societies had the highest membership, and what might explain those patterns? * * *Consider factors like occupation, gender, location, or specific needs of the community.* * What challenges do you think these societies were responding to in 1838? *How do these responses reflect resilience or resistance to systemic barriers?* * Why is it important that this data was recorded and preserved? ## **Activity 2:**  **Mapping Black Institutional Life in 1838** **Overview:** In this small-group research activity, students will investigate the [__Framework of the Growth of Black Led Organizations in Pre-Civil War Philadelphia__](https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/bf8f2b4cce5f4913ba90f1190052a953) to explore how different types of Black-led institutions met community needs and structured civic life. They will collaboratively develop a brief written or visual synopsis that captures the key ideas, values, and insights about how Black Philadelphians organized their lives in 1838. **Time:** 20 minutes **Format:** Small Groups **Objective:** SWBAT interpret the core themes and institutional patterns highlighted in the [__Framework of the Growth of Black Led Organizations in Pre-Civil War Philadelphia__](https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/bf8f2b4cce5f4913ba90f1190052a953), creating a summary of their key findings. * Here is the [__1838 Black Beneficial Socieities__](https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1AGC29R3_ZGGcHngoPkgIwakwmrZQCf3z6ggLtOV4cnw/edit?usp=sharing) template. Make a copy for your class using the following link [__1838 Black Beneficial Societies- Make a copy__](https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1AGC29R3_ZGGcHngoPkgIwakwmrZQCf3z6ggLtOV4cnw/edit?usp=sharing) * Invite students to review the entire [__Framework of the Growth of Black Led Organizations in Pre-Civil War Philadelphia__](https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/bf8f2b4cce5f4913ba90f1190052a953). * Ask students to take notes on what stands out—types of institutions, community priorities, and organizing strategies. * Ask groups to identify their key takeaways * * What do all of these institutions have in common? * What problems were these organizations trying to solve? * What values (e.g., care, self-determination, education, resistance) appear across the framework? ## **Activity 3:**  **Journal**  **Overview:** In this individual writing activity, students will respond to a journal prompt that invites them to reflect on the values and strategies behind Black institutional life in 1838. The exercise encourages students to make personal connections and deepen their understanding of community care. **Time:** 15 minutes **Format:** Individual **Objective:** SWBAT reflect on the historical significance of Black-led institutions in 1838 Philadelphia by making personal connections to the values, purposes, and organizing strategies outlined in the framework. * Ask students to connect what they learned about Black Beneficial Societies to their own values, community experiences, or ideas about leadership and justice. * Invite students to write three to four paragraphs responding to the following questions: * * What values or strategies stood out to you? * What surprised you about the range or purpose of these institutions? * If you lived in 1838 Philadelphia, what kind of organization do you think you would want to be part of—and why? --- **Documents** - [L1:4 Framework of Black Organizations](https://1838blackmetropolis.getoutline.com/s/aa099d92-e5c1-4fa9-ad54-9fd69ac27a28/doc/l14-framework-of-black-organizations-9t4YbmmT2c) - [L1:4 Activity - Connecting Black-led Institutions Across Time](https://1838blackmetropolis.getoutline.com/s/aa099d92-e5c1-4fa9-ad54-9fd69ac27a28/doc/l14-activity-connecting-black-led-institutions-across-time-Vsfs9HzFEZ) - [L1:4 Activity - Black-Led Organizations in 1838 Video Script](https://1838blackmetropolis.getoutline.com/s/aa099d92-e5c1-4fa9-ad54-9fd69ac27a28/doc/l14-activity-black-led-organizations-in-1838-video-script-b3l17g8h8e) - [L1:4 Beneficial Societies](https://1838blackmetropolis.getoutline.com/s/aa099d92-e5c1-4fa9-ad54-9fd69ac27a28/doc/l14-beneficial-societies-mzDkN2YLj5) - [L1:4 Black Institutional Life in 1838](https://1838blackmetropolis.getoutline.com/s/aa099d92-e5c1-4fa9-ad54-9fd69ac27a28/doc/l14-black-institutional-life-in-1838-r50r5shDBH) - [L1:4 Extras - Connections Between People and Organizations](https://1838blackmetropolis.getoutline.com/s/aa099d92-e5c1-4fa9-ad54-9fd69ac27a28/doc/l14-extras-connections-between-people-and-organizations-2qa6XcCaEN)