The escape of the slaves from the southern states was a dangerous journey as they headed north on the Underground Railroad – a secret network of people who opposed slavery and helped the fugitives make their way to Canada, where they could live free. Below are some learning resources to discover more on this period of history.
Lesson Plans
- Teaching the Underground Railroad – Lesson plans sorted by grade range. Lessons are in .doc format, so will download to your computer.
- Underground Railroad Digital Classroom – Includes Lesson plans, handouts, virtual field trips, a digital book shelf, videos, printables and much much more.
- War for Freedom: Fort Pulaski National Monument – Curriculum materials to explore the lives of the African-American slaves during the time of the civil war.
- Quest for Freedom: The Underground Railroad – by National Park Service. Includes several lessons related to the abolition of slavery and the underground railroad.
- Runaway Journeys – by In Motion. Lesson plans for Grade 6+ surrounding the migration of the African-American people. Based on the information presented on the the Runaway Journeys site.
- Teaching the Underground Railroad – from the Institute for Freedom Studies. Lesson plans for K – 9
- Underground Railroad – by Heritage Minutes. Lesson plans based around the Underground Railroad Heritage Minute.
- Henry’s Freedom Box by National Underground Railroad Freedom Center lesson plan for Grades 3-5 based on the book Henry’s Freedom Box
Key Figures
William Still:
Canadian History for Kids: William Still
The Forgotten Father of the Underground Railroad by Smithsonian Magazine
Harriet Tubman:
- Harriet Tubman Unit by Debbie Musiek
- Harriet Tubman Research Pathfinder by the Tarsus Literary and Library Consulting
Other Resources
- John Freeman Wells Historical Site & Underground Railroad Museum. Located in Puce, Ontario – which was the terminus of the underground railroad. Interesting personal story and images.
- Uncle Tom’s Cabin. Located in Dresden, Ontario. The historical site commemorates Rev. Josiah Henson, who was the inspiration for a novel called “Uncle Tom’s Cabin.”
- Underground Railroad on CyberBee – Lists of websites and resources.
Videos
Quilts
There seems to be much controversy as to whether quilt codes are fact or myth, but here are some neat resources nevertheless.
- Quilt Code Game by Deceptively Educational – Instructions on how to make your own quilt pattern board game
- Quilt Code Patterns – an explanation of the patterns and what they meant
- Women’s Quilts and the Underground Railroad – meanings of patterns
Crafts
- Harriet Tubman Triarama by Crayola – make a 3D model
- Make an Underground Railroad Lantern by Arkansas Civil War 150
Books
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This post is part of a challenge that will blog through the alphabet over 26 weeks – hosted by Ben And Me. This is letter U. Feel free to join in yourself, or see what other people are blogging about!
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When we lived in Indiana there were some houses we could visit with secret rooms for hiding escaped slaves. And Conner Prairie, a historical reenacting village often held a special summer program called Follow the Drinking Gourd where kids play the roles of runaways.