Curated OER
The House of Dies Drear
Students read The House of Dies Drear and understand how he filled a need and helped people. In this philanthropy lesson students understand how the people who helped on the "Underground Railroad" filled a need and helped others....
Core Knowledge Foundation
The Civil War
A unit covers many aspects of the Civil War. Over six weeks, fifth graders delve deep into the history of slavery, the Civil War—before, during, and after—Abraham Lincoln, women's contributions, the Emancipation Proclamation, and...
Core Knowledge Foundation
The U.S. Civil War Tell It Again!™ Read-Aloud Anthology
Over three weeks, second graders listen to stories about the United States Civil War. Informational texts explore the war, slavery, Harriet Tubman, Abraham Lincoln, Robert E. Lee, Clara Barton, the Emancipation Proclamation, and Ulysses...
Curated OER
Voyage to Freedom - What Does It Mean?
Fifth graders investigate the Underground Railroad by creating a quilt. For this U.S. History lesson, 5th graders discuss the history of slavery through a class "word splash" and by reading an Underground Railroad map online. Students...
Curated OER
Making the Connection With Quilts
Fourth graders engage in a lesson which integrates the study of the Underground Railroad in Indiana with a Language Arts unit on quilts. They write a book report on one of the quilt books read in class and design a quilt block for the...
Curated OER
Making the Connection With Quilts
Fourth graders explore history of Underground Railroad in Indiana and discover how slaves were assisted on their journey using codes displayed in different quilt blocks. Students examine connection quilts have to ancestry and family...
Curated OER
Integrated Social Studies and Art Lesson
Fourth graders study the Civil War and the Underground Railroad. In groups, they create coded quilts like those used in the Underground Railroad. They review secret codes used, plan a phrase they would like to use, and paint quilt...
Curated OER
Linoleum Reduction Print Quilts
Learners identify quilt designs along with the meanings and symbolism behind those designs. They explain the uses of a quilt and the controversial connection to the Underground Railroad.
Curated OER
Signs in the Stitching
Young scholars exercise their creativity by designing an original quilt and a written explanation of its meaning. They use primary sources to develop an understanding of Underground Railroad routes through Indiana.
Curated OER
Henry's Freedom Box
Students explore the Civil War by reading a children's book in class. In this underground railroad lesson, students read the story Henry's Freedom Box and discuss the plot, settings and characters. Students create their own "freedom box"...
Curated OER
The Underground Railroad
Students use vocabulary related to the Underground Railroad. They identify key facts related to the Underground Railroad, evaluate their personal responses to the Underground Railroad and make a judgment about the morality of the...
Curated OER
The Underground Railroad
First graders read a book about Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad. In this underground railroad activity, 1st graders learn songs and code words that the slaves used to communicate with one another. Students discuss how all...
Curated OER
Slavery and the Underground Railroad
Fourth graders examine the experiences of the slaves on the Underground Railroad. They analyze maps depicting slaves' routes, calculate the mileage travelled, and write an essay and create an illustration about the Underground Railroad.
Curated OER
Time of Slavery
Young historians learn about abolitionists, The Civil War, Frederick Douglas, and so many more details about slavery in this highly engaging presentation. Teachers could use this as a whole class review and discussion tool.
Curated OER
The History of African-American Children: A Guide for Teaching Black History at the Elementary School Level
How do you introduce the topic of slavery to your youngest learners? The Sneetches, by Dr. Suess, is a great introduction to the idea of being different. Read the story to your class, and discuss desegregation in public buildings. This...
Curated OER
Finding Your Way: The Underground Railroad
Students describe the difficulties faced when tying to escape using the underground railroad. Participating in an online simulation, students attempt to escape using the underground railroad. They view maps of the routes taken by the...
Curated OER
Underground Railroad
Students research and discuss the use of the Underground Railroad by fugitive slaves. They debate the actions of abolitionists and slave owners according to the laws of the time, create drawings and write narratives.
Curated OER
The Underground Railroad and the I & M Canal in Illinois
Students, in groups, discuss the Underground Railroad, then fill out a worksheet.
Curated OER
The Underground Railroad
Eleventh graders work in teams to play a game that is based on the Underground Railroad in Delaware.
Curated OER
Simulated Underground Railroad Experience
Fourth graders participate in a simulation activity that culminates their study of the Underground Railroad. They climb on obstacles while bells rings and older students act as conductors. They work in a darkened area with only one light...
Curated OER
Journey on the Underground Railroad
Students use Indiana and Michigan state road maps to trace a route to Canada from Madison, IN. with the many possible stops along the way. They make a picture book that depicts a runaway slave's journey on UCR.
Curated OER
Harriet Tubman Integrated Unit: Lesson 3
Learners explore African spirituals. In this slavery lesson, students listen to and analyze the spiritual song "Wade in the Water" line by line. Learners share their interpretations with their classmates.
Curated OER
Background to the Conflict: Pre-Civil War Days
The American Civil War was a complex test of a relatively young democracy in the mid-nineteenth century. Discuss the events and factors that led to the Civil War with a thorough slideshow presentation.
Curated OER
Antebellum Revivalism and Reform
A gold mine for American history teachers, this presentation cascades through the middle of the 19th century with the central themes of moral and social reform. Between the blossoming Mormon church, the tightening of the Temperance...