United States
ED 417-01
CRISTA BANBURY
WENDY BUDDO
MELISSA CRAFT
United States
Grade : 3
UNIT: Underground railroad
Objectives
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Students will. . .
• Track an underground railroad route
• Write a secret song
• Take a field trip
• Create a classroom quilt
• Predict and assess predictions of Harriet
Tubman book by: Chatherine Nichols
Materials
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Harriet Tubman book
Paper
Pencil
Crayons
Markers
Classroom wall map of United States
Felt
Glue
Websites
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Springboro Historical Society
http://www.shakerwssg.org/olde_springboro_village_ohio.htm
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National Geographic
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/railroad/j1.html
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Cincinnati Freedom Center
http://www.undergroundrailroad.org
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PBS http://www.pbs.org
History of the Drinking Gourd
http://www2.lhric.org/pocantico/tubman/gourd1.html
Children’s Books
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Almost To Freedom
• By: Vaunda Micheaux Nelson
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Who Was Harriet Tubman
• By: Yona Zeldis McDonough
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Harriet Tubman
• By: Catherine Nochols
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27 Stations to “Libertyville”
• By: Don Ross
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Scions, Sages, Saints and Soldiers:
Significant Pioneers in Springboro
• By: Don Ross
Children’s Books
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A Taste of History Cookbook
• By: Springboro Area Historical Society
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Walking the Road to Freedom
• By: Jeri Feris
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Learning About Bravery from the Life of
Harriet Tubman
• By: Kiki Mosher
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Minty
• By: Alan Schroeder
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The Underground Railroad : Journey to
Freedom
• By: Carla Williams
Underground Railroad
What is it?
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The underground railroad was a
network of people who helped slaves
escape to the North and Canada.
It was ran by many individuals, both
white and black.
Hundreds of slaves escaped each
year.
Underground Railroad Timeline
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1500s- People from Africa were brought to
North America as slaves.
1700s- slaves were described as property
in many states (predominately southern
states)
1776- Declaration of Independence
signed.
Early 1800s- importing of slaves banned.
However, smuggling still occurs.
Communication
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STARS & SONGS
• The north star was a guide to the north,
as well as a freedom symbol
• The “drinking gourd” was used by slaves
as a code for the Big Dipper. The Big
Dipper’s bowl pointed to the Little
Dipper which contained the North star.
• Drum beats were also used to
communicate until the slave owners had
the drums outlawed.
Communication
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QUILTS
• Quilts were used to indicate locations of safe
houses, show escape routes, and to convey
other information vital to escape & survive.
• The information on the quilts were conveyed
by patterns and symbols (ex. A “monkey
wrench” quilt indicated a home belonging to an
individual who might be a tool in the
underground railroad.
• The quilts were hung on fence posts, windows,
or anywhere they could be seen.
• Candles and lamps were also used to show if a
house was safe. The candles or lamps would
be hung or place in certain windows.
Roles of Persons:
Secrets of the Underground Railroad
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What were the secret names for people
who took part in the Underground
Railroad?
Stations- homes where slaves could
hide.
Conductors- people who helped guide
the slaves who were escaping
Agents- people who offered clothes,
food, and shelter to slaves.
Passengers- the escaping slaves.
Activity 1:
Compose your own secret song!
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Try composing lyrics
of your own that tells
a story or gives
instruction. Some
ideas:
• Tell your friend where
to meet; how to get
there, what will be
doing.
• Tell your parents what
you want for dinner,
where you want to eat;
and what time.
The Drinking Gourd
Follow the drinking gourd!
Follow the drinking gourd!
For the old man is awaiting for to carry
you to freedom, if you follow the
drinking gourd.
When the sun comes back, and the first
quail calls,
Follow the drinking gourd.
For the old man is awaiting for to carry
you to freedom, if you follow the
drinking gourd. (Chorus)
Verse 1:
The riverbank makes a very good road,
The dead trees will show you the way,
Left foot, peg foot, traveling on,
Follow the drinking gourd.
Chorus
Verse 2:
The river ends between two hills,
Follow the drinking gourd.
There’s another river on the other side.
Chorus
Verse 3:
When the great big river meets the little
river,
Follow the drinking gourd.
For the old man is awaiting for to carry
you to freedom,
If you follow the drinking gourd.
Chorus
Activity 2:
Make a class freedom quilt
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Each student will design a square for the
class freedom quilt. The square will have
something to do with the underground
railroad.
After the students are done designing
their square, the teacher and parent
volunteers will help them make their
square with fabric
Afterwards, the teacher will sew all square
together to create a class freedom quilt.
Activity 3:
Read Harriet Tubman BY: Catherine Nichols
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Before reading:
• Look at the cover and take a picture walk. The
children will predict what the story is about.
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During reading:
• Ask questions about Harriet and “Minty”. How
did they feel about being a slave.
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After reading:
• Check predictions with children.
• Talk about the story, did the children like the
story. What was their favorite part.
Activity 4:
Field Trip
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Take a field trip to
explore the
Underground
Railroad hands on
at the Springboro
Historical Society.
Activity 5
Mapping
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In small groups, map out an Underground
Railroad route on classroom wall map.
• Make sure there are safe houses along the
route
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Afterwards, estimate the distance of your
route.
When each group is finished, the teacher
will lead a discussion of the hardships
fugitive slaves would experience, which
season would the be optimum in fleeing.
Mapping Activity (example)