Lesson Planet
Search educational resources
  • Sign In Try It Free
  • AI Teacher Tools
    • Discover Resources Search reviewed educational resources by keyword, subject, grade, type, and more
    • Curriculum Manager (My Content) Manage saved and uploaded resources and folders To Access the Curriculum Manager Sign In or Join Now
    • Browse Resource Directory Browse educational resources by subject and topic
    • Curriculum Calendar Explore curriculum resources by date
    • Lesson Planning Articles Timely and inspiring teaching ideas that you can apply in your classroom
    • Our Story
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Testimonials
    • Contact Us
  • Pricing
  • School Access
    • Your school or district can sign up for Lesson Planet — with no cost to teachers
      Learn More
  • Sign In
  • Try It Free

Hi, what do you want to do?

Create a lesson plan
Create a lesson plan
Generate resources with 80+ AI teacher tools
Generate resources with 80+ AI teacher tools
Search 200,000 instructional videos
Search 200,000 instructional videos
Find a teaching resource
Find a teaching resource
Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad Lesson PlanHarriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad Lesson Plan
Publisher
National Endowment for the Humanities
Resource Details
Curator Rating
Educator Rating
Not yet Rated
Grade
6th - 12th
Subjects
Social Studies & History
2 more...
Resource Type
Lesson Plans
Audience
For Teacher Use
Duration
2 days
Instructional Strategies
Collaborative Learning
3 more...
Technology
Video
Internet Access
Usage Permissions
Creative Commons
BY: 4.0
cc
Lesson Plan

Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad

Curated and Reviewed by Lesson Planet
This Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad lesson plan also includes:
  • Mapping the Underground Railroad (.pdf)
  • Activity
  • Assessment
  • Join to access all included materials

While many have heard of Harriet Tubman, few are aware of the many ways this remarkable woman was involved in the United States Civil War, the abolitionist movement, and the Underground Railroad. Young historians examine primary source documents including letters written to Tubman, watch videos, and map the many routes of the Railroad. To end the lesson, pupils craft a proposal to Congress urging them to create a monument to Harriet Tubman.

23 Views 15 Downloads
CCSS: Adaptable

Concepts

harriet tubman, the underground railroad, black history month, famous african americans, african american history, slavery, the united states civil war, fugitive slaves, the fugitive slave act, abolitionists, the abolitionist movement, women's history month, primary source analysis, primary sources

Instructional Ideas

  • Post the timeline on a classroom wall to provide a context for the lesson
  • In addition, post the group-created maps of the different Underground Railroad routes on a Harriet Tubman-themed wall

Classroom Considerations

  • Set aside extra prep time to share links to the many required documents with students

Pros

  • Includes extensive background information for instructors

Cons

  • None

Common Core

RH.9-10.1 RH.9-10.2 RH.11-12.1 RH.11-12.2

See similar resources:

Lesson Plan

Underground Railroad Mini-Unit

Curated OER
Students watch a film about slavery. Students view a PowerPoint about the Underground Railroad and use various resources to make a timeline for the topic. Students research a historical figure from the Underground Railroad era and give a...
5th - 7th Social Studies & History
Lesson Plan

Slavery Bound or Underground

Curated OER
Examine the role of slaves,, slave owners, and abolitionists during the Civil War with a study of the history of the Underground Railroad. Through the many links learners research the people involved and the heroes of the movement....
11th Social Studies & History
Activity

Harriet Tubman and the End of Slavery

Constitutional Rights Foundation
Harriet Tubman saved hundreds from slavery through what was called the Underground Railroad. Teach learners about her amazing accomplishments through the article that uses effective direct instruction. After reading, scholars break into...
7th - 12th English Language Arts
CCSS: Designed
Worksheet

Harriet Tubman: Civil War Spy

Curated OER
Add engaging new material to Harriet Tubman and Civil War curricula with a crisply designed, two-page reading about the famous abolitionist. The text details a military raid she led against the Confederate army, informs readers about Tom...
6th - 9th English Language Arts
Activity

Constitutional Rights Foundation: Harriet Tubman and the End of Slavery [Pdf]

Constitutional Rights Foundation
Article on Harriet Tubman describes her life and heroism as a leader of the Underground Railroad and of the fight against slavery. Includes questions for discussion and group activity.
9th - 10th Social Studies & History
Lesson Plan

Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad

Curated OER
Students develop computer research skills while searching facts about Harriet Tubman. Students learn about ways in which Harriet Tubman's childhood influenced her future. Students learn to use primary documents to learn about the...
3rd - 8th 21 Century Skills
Instructional Video

The Breathtaking Courage of Harriet Tubman

TED-Ed
Escaping slavery only to return and escape again is quite a heroic act. The life of Harriet Tubman launches scholars into a world of courage, fear, and freedom. Using video clips and questions, young historians uncover the story of the...
5 mins 9th - 12th Social Studies & History
CCSS: Adaptable
Worksheet

Harriet Tubman Warns "Kill the Snake Before It Kills You"

Curated OER
Harriet Tubman developed a rich extended metaphor for slavery and the imperative for Lincoln to abolish it in this dictated letter from 1862. Young historians read the original document and interpret Tubman's allegory with a pair of...
8th - 12th Social Studies & History
Worksheet

Harriet Tubman: Moses of Her People

Scholastic
Who was Harriet Tubman, and what was her place on the Underground Railroad? Recall the bravery and achievements of this extraordinary figure with a short, engaging informational text and crossword puzzle.
4th - 6th Social Studies & History
CCSS: Adaptable
Handout

New York Times: Harriet Tubman's Path to Freedom

New York Times
[Free Registration/Login Required] This site tells the story of Harriet Tubman's life and the development of the Underground Railroad. The author takes us on a journey to sites along the Underground Railroad, beginning at the farm where...
9th - 10th Social Studies & History
Try It Free
© 1999-2026 Learning Explorer, Inc.
Teacher Lesson Plans, Worksheets and Resources

Sign up for the Lesson Planet Monthly Newsletter

Open Educational Resources (OER)

  • Health
  • Language Arts
  • Languages
  • Math
  • Physical Education
  • Science
  • Social Studies
  • Special Education
  • Visual and Performing Arts
View All Lesson Plans

Discover Resources

  • Our Review Process
  • How it Works
  • How to Search
  • Create a Collection

Manage Curriculum

  • Edit a Collection
  • Assign to Students
  • Manage My Content
Contact Us Site Map Privacy Policy Terms of Use