Early Liberian Kingdoms & The Founding of Liberia

Grade 6 · Social Studies

Semester 1 | Period 1 | Week 2

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Subject: Social Studies

Semester: 1

Period: 1

Week: 2

School Name:
Teacher’s Name:
Subject: Social Studies
Grade Level: Grade 6
Date: Week 2
Lesson Duration: 45 minutes
Week & Period: Week 2, Period 1
Topic: Early Liberian Kingdoms & The Founding of Liberia
Sub-topic: Pre-colonial kingdoms, arrival of freed slaves, and challenges

Learning Objectives
By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:
Identify major pre-colonial kingdoms in Liberia; describe the arrival of freed slaves; explain challenges faced by early settlers; state the official founding date of Liberia.

Previous Knowledge
Students already know:
The existence of African kingdoms and the concept of resettlement.

Instructional Materials
Maps of Liberia, images of indigenous groups, timeline chart, videos showing early settlements.

Lesson Development – ABC Model
A – Anticipation (Warm-up / Starter)
Time: 5–10 minutes
Teacher asks students to name tribes they know in Liberia; discuss what life might have been like before colonization.

B – Building Knowledge (Main Lesson Body)

Time: 25–30 minutes

Teacher’s Explanations & Discussions

  1. Governors of Liberia Before Independence
    • Jehudi Ashmun (1822–1828):
      • An American missionary and agent of the American Colonization Society (ACS).
      • Strengthened defense against indigenous attacks.
      • Organized settlements and introduced better farming methods.
      • Known as the “father of Liberia” for laying down structures of governance.
    • Thomas Buchanan (1839–1841):
      • The first governor of the Commonwealth of Liberia.
      • Reorganized government administration.
      • Promoted education and trade.
      • The city of Buchanan in Grand Bassa County was named after him.
    • Joseph Jenkins Roberts (1842–1847):
      • First black governor of Liberia.
      • A freed African-American who promoted economic self-reliance and diplomacy.
      • Played a key role in Liberia’s move toward independence.
      • Became Liberia’s first president after independence in 1847.

 

  1. Periods of Liberian History
    • Colonial Period (1822–1839):
      • Time of ACS rule.
      • Settlers arrived and established settlements under ACS supervision.
    • Commonwealth Period (1839–1847):
      • Liberia became more self-governing but was still tied to ACS.
      • Governor Thomas Buchanan played a leading role.
    • First Republic (1847–1980):
      • Liberia declared independence on July 26, 1847.
      • Constitution was adopted.
      • Joseph Jenkins Roberts became first president.
      • Period lasted until 1980 military coup led by Samuel Doe.
    • Second Republic (1986–Present):
      • New constitution adopted in 1986.
      • Democratic governance restored after civil wars.
      • Still the current political system in Liberia.

 

Teacher’s Demonstrations

  • Draw a timeline on the board showing:
    • Arrival of Jehudi Ashmun (1822).
    • Governorship of Buchanan (1839).
    • Roberts’ governorship (1842–1847).
    • Independence in 1847 (beginning of First Republic).
    • Coup of 1980 and Second Republic in 1986.
  • Show portraits of governors and ask learners to identify them.
  • Provide a chart comparing the four historical periods with key events.

 

Practical Activities

  1. Timeline Construction: In groups, students create their own illustrated timelines showing governors and the historical periods of Liberia.
  2. Group Discussion: Each group selects one governor and explains his contributions to the class.
  3. Matching Activity: Teacher gives cards with governors’ names and separate cards with their contributions. Students match them correctly.
  4. Period Chart: Students fill in a chart with headings: Period – Years – Key Events – Leaders.

 

Learners’ Activities (Expanded)

  • Work in groups to build a colorful timeline with drawings of ships, settlers, and leaders.
  • Take notes in their copybooks about governors and periods.
  • Present group findings about the contributions of each governor.
  • Participate in a Q&A about Liberia’s historical periods.

 

Assessment Checks

  • Oral Questions:
    • Who was Jehudi Ashmun and why is he important?
    • Which city was named after Thomas Buchanan?
    • Who was the first black governor of Liberia?
    • What year did Liberia declare independence?
  • Practical Check: Teacher reviews group timelines for accuracy of dates and events.
  • Written Exercise: Fill in the blanks in a chart:
    • Colonial Period (____ – ____)
    • Commonwealth (____ – ____)
    • First Republic (____ – ____)
    • Second Republic (____ – ____)

 

Expanded Notes for Learners

  • Jehudi Ashmun organized the first settlements and is called the “father of Liberia.”
  • Thomas Buchanan became the first governor of the Commonwealth of Liberia, and a city is named after him.
  • Joseph Jenkins Roberts was the first black governor and later Liberia’s first president.
  • The periods of Liberian history are: Colonial (1822–1839), Commonwealth (1839–1847), First Republic (1847–1980), and Second Republic (1986–present).
  • These leaders and periods shaped Liberia’s journey from a colony to an independent republic.

 

Assignment (Homework)

  1. Write two contributions of Jehudi Ashmun to Liberia.
  2. In your copybook, create a simple timeline showing Liberia’s four historical periods.
  3. Write three sentences about Joseph Jenkins Roberts and why he is important to Liberian history.
  4. Match the following:
    a) Jehudi Ashmun → ______
    b) Thomas Buchanan → ______
    c) Joseph Jenkins Roberts → ______

C – Consolidation (Conclusion & Assessment)
Time: 5–10 minutes
Summary: Recap pre-colonial kingdoms, arrival of settlers, challenges, and independence.

Evaluation Method (Expanded):
Exit slip/quiz: Name two pre-colonial kingdoms and one challenge settlers faced.

Assignment (Expanded):
Write a paragraph on the importance of Providence Island in Liberia’s history.

Follow-up Activity:
Group research on indigenous customs and interactions with early settlers.

Differentiation / Inclusive Strategies
Provide maps with highlighted kingdoms for learners with difficulties; encourage peer teaching.

Teacher’s Reflection (After Class)
What worked well? ___________________________________________
What needs improvement? ____________________________________
Students’ engagement level: ☑ High ☑ Medium ☑ Low