Slavery and the Underground Railroad
Names: Katie Blomquist, Alison Briggs, Dawn Davidson, Kelly Frey, Amber Hemann
Content Area:Math/Social StudiesGrade Level: Fourth
Date:December 11, 2003
Objectives:
- Given a map, trace the routes of the slaves on their journey north by calculating the mileage each one walked.
- Students will define and use accurately the term Underground Railroad. Through a small group brainstorming session the groups will have at least 3 characteristics of an Underground Railroad that accurately describes it.
Strategies/ Techniques:
After reading Follow the Drinking Gourd to the students discuss the meaning of the Underground Railroad then calculate the mileage on one of the major escape routes.
Materials:
- Maps with routes of the slaves
- Maps with keys indicating mileage
Procedures:
Anticipatory Set:
Begin by asking students what they know about the Underground Railroad. In small groups students will discuss what they think it is. Recorders in the group will write everything down. After about 5 minutes students will share the ideas they came up with.
Development:
Explain and provide a definition of the Underground Railroad-that it had many routes that lead as directly as possible from slave holding states of the southern United States of the closest free territory. Then present a large map with the major escape routes on it. Provide students with handouts showing the major escape routes from the south to the north. In small groups, the students will choose a route and figure out how many miles a slave had to travel to reach safety. Maps with mileage will be provided. Students will be given 20-30 minutes to do so.
Closure:
When finished, each group will share their results and critically think about the terrain of the land as well as the different season that would have hindered or slowed the progression of the escape.
Modifications/Adaptations:
- Instead of having students work in groups allow students to work individually writing down what they know about the Underground Railroad.
- As a class pick a major escape route and collectively calculate the mileage together.
Extensions:
- Do a KWL chart asking the whole class what they know about the Underground Railroad, what they would like to know about the Underground Railroad, and after research what they have learned about the Underground Railroad.
- After mileage is figured out have each student write a narrative essay about a fictional slave that could be considered historically accurate.
Technology:
- Use power point to introduce new vocabulary terms.
- Put major escape routes on an overhead for the class to see.