Challenge Grant Learning Interchange (Unit)

A Trip to the Underground Railroad

Developed by Rochelle Cannon, Ann Froby, Carla Zamora

IntermediateMiddle SchoolEnglish/Language ArtsEnglish/Languages Arts

A Trip to the Underground Railroad

Students will read a variety of materials related to slavery in America. They will study the history of the beginning of the slavery movement to the abolishment of slavery.

Nevada Objective(s):
3.5 The students will compare works of literature from the same historical period.

Subjects: English/Language Arts, English/Languages Arts
Learning Levels: Intermediate, Middle School
Author(s): Rochelle Cannon, Ann Froby, Carla Zamora
Submitted by: Carolyn Breaz

Classroom, 3 weeks

Day 1
1. Previous knowledge - picture activity and discussion

2. Read picture book "Minty" then do culminating activity on Day 2

Day 2
1. Culminating activity from picture book "Carousel activity"

2. Begin K-W-L chart

Day 3
1. Class discussion on K-W-L

2. Students view "Follow the Drinking Gourd" video

3. Symbolism of North Star

Day 4
1. Article on three songs used by slaves to get message across (Cobblestone-
Antislavery Movement) "Songs of Slavery"

2. Journal writing activity on three songs. Question: Which song had major impact
and why?

Day 5
Read background story "Riding Underground" and have students complete context clues activity

Day 6
1. Laser disc segment on underground railroad

2. Students will actively listen to "A Glory Over Everything" (audio tape provided in teacher kit for "Elements of Literature")

3. Students will complete Herringbone activity

Day 7
1. Teacher will share "Brer Rabbit" stories.

2. (Circle activity) After each story students will discuss symbolism that identifies which animals are masters and which are slaves.

Day 8
1. Text story Lincoln, page 126

2. Discussion on why Lincoln was important in the anti-slavery movement

3. Student will make verbal contributions of connections in literature, films, songs, etc.

Day 9
1. Oral Sharing/class discussion on Lincoln

2. Read "Emancipation Proclamation" orally to class

3. Students will complete jigsaw activity and put each section of E.M. into own words

Day 10
1. Finish K-W-L chart

2. Oral review of information given on slavery and on how to complete Venn Diagram

Day 11
1. Closure activity - Venn Diagram
Students will compare/contrast two works
Text on Harriet Tubman and Cobblestone background information

Carousel activity (participation grade)
K-W-L chart
Context clue assignment (vocabulary words)
Herringbone activity (the 5 w's)
Journal writing
Venn diagram

1. Nonfiction pictures: Lincoln, slaves on plantation, chain gangs, auctions, slaves on ships, conditions, Bill of Sale, slave family separations, abolitionists, Harriet Tubman pictures, map of American, North Star/Big Dipper

2. Minty, a Story of Harriet Tubman, Alan Schroeder

3. "Follow the Drinking Gourd" video

4. Songs of Slavery in Antislavery, Cobblestone, February 93

5. Journals

6. Laser disc/Elements of Literature text, Holt, Reinhart and Winston

7. Audio tape "Glory Over Everything" in Lit. text

8. Herringbone graphic organizer

9. Short story "Riding Underground" by Jeannie Borsch

10. Collection of "Brer Rabbit" stories

11. Copy of "Emancipation Proclamation"