Third graders are introduced to new vocabulary associated with slavery and the Underground Railroad. In groups, they use the vocabulary to identify the various ranges of freedom and create their own vocabulary webs. To end the lesson,...

Middle schoolers explore the Underground Railroad in the history of Pennsylvania.

Third graders examine what it was like for a child traveling in the Underground Railroad.

Students investigate the historical underground railroad. They also access technology to conduct research and write stories with the railroad as part of the historical fiction. The cumulative assessment is the creation of a book that...

Eighth graders create a quilt based on the Underground Railroad quilt code from the book Hidden in Plain View: A Secret Story of Quilts and the Underground Railroad.

Students research the experience of Irish immigrants who helped build the railroad systems of the United States. They analyze primary source documents, take notes, and create an artistic piece.

Students study the immigration patterns in Canada from 1896 to 1947. They examine how the railroads played a part in the immigration process.

Students investigate modern transportation in the 19th century by examining artifacts.  In this U.S. history lesson plan, students read the story Joseph's Railroad Dreams, and discuss the Golden Spike used in the first...

Students explore the historic district via a scavenger hunt. In this community history lesson, students complete a scavenger hunt using historic postcards and clues as guides. Students create a timeline demonstrating changes of the area...

Fourth graders describe the life of Harriet Tubman. They define opportunity cost. Students identify the opportunity cost of each of several choices made by Harriet Tubman. They are explained that Harriet Tubman was the first African...

Students compare and contrast indentured servants and slaves. In this US history slavery lesson, students discuss the owners' perceptions of indentured servants and slaves, then view ads for runaway slaves to support their opinions....

Sixth graders investigate John Brown's fight to end slavery. In this slavery lesson, 6th graders read Harpers Ferry, The Story of John Brown's Raid and then research his life as well as the life of slave Osbourne Perry Anderson. Students...

Harriet Tubman's life is revealed in this presentation puzzle. Portions of a covered picture with related clues about Harriet Tubman are given as students predict the subject matter as each factual clue is given until the entire picture...

Students participate in a unit that focuses on the Underground Railroad of the Civil War Period of History. The intent of the unit is realized in the culminating activity of going to many different stations to interact for different...

Learners identify and explain major symbols on core map, read a railroad timetable, and evaluate the impact of railroads on the transportation in the West.

Students research World Series baseball teams and use the information to play a game. They also use railroad maps to determine how teams traveled from one game to another.

Fourth graders analyze the book Train to Midnight, based on the Underground Railroad. They compose and perform a puppet play based on the book. Students perform and videotape their puppet plays.

Eleventh graders examine the settlement and life on the western plains. Applying role-playing techniques, they discover the importance of railroads in the settlement of the west while also evaluating the daily lives of the homesteaders....

Learners find how freedom quilts helped free slaves.  In this American History instructional activity, students read the story Sweet Clara and The Freedom Quilt and discuss the Underground Railroad.  They use their map...

In this railway safety worksheet, students read through the six rules for safety on and around a railroad. Students also color the picture of the train.

Students explore the Underground Railroad.

Fifth graders use a web work sheet to discover the various types of railroad songs and their purpose. Students examine how to sing "Drill Ye Tarriers" and play a rhythmic accompaniment that mimics the sounds of the tarriers working....

Students read and discuss the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850. They listen to the story of Reverend John Rankin, a reverend who openly broke the law to help free escape. They evaluate and debate the morality or immorality of breaking the...

Students design a train route using a topographical map. In this historical and spatial thinking lesson plan, students must plan a route through the Sierra Nevada mountains that a train could physically travel. Links to printable student...