Theme: The Underground Railroad
Target Audience: 5th Grade
Essential Questions: What was the Underground Railroad? How did the Underground Railroad assist in the escape of thousands of slaves? Who were some of the famous people who utilized or supported the cause of the Underground Railroad?
Content Standards:
Although California History-Social Science Frameworks do not have students specifically exploring the topic of slavery in America or the Civil War until 8th grade, 5th grade standards have students exploring early American history. The topic of slavery can be explored during discussion of the founding of the Constitution. Slavery had been around since America was first colonized, but a divide quickly develop between the North and South. While this topic is not specifically detailed in the 5th grade history and social science frameworks, texts meet requirements laid out by the CCSS ELA 5th grade standards and might make a good topic of study during Black History Month.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.5.3
Explain the relationships or interactions between two or more individuals, events, ideas, or concepts in a historical, scientific, or technical text based on specific information in the text.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.5.5
Compare and contrast the overall structure (e.g., chronology, comparison, cause/effect, problem/solution) of events, ideas, concepts, or information in two or more texts.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.5.6
Analyze multiple accounts of the same event or topic, noting important similarities and differences in the point of view they represent.
Target Audience: 5th Grade
Essential Questions: What was the Underground Railroad? How did the Underground Railroad assist in the escape of thousands of slaves? Who were some of the famous people who utilized or supported the cause of the Underground Railroad?
Content Standards:
Although California History-Social Science Frameworks do not have students specifically exploring the topic of slavery in America or the Civil War until 8th grade, 5th grade standards have students exploring early American history. The topic of slavery can be explored during discussion of the founding of the Constitution. Slavery had been around since America was first colonized, but a divide quickly develop between the North and South. While this topic is not specifically detailed in the 5th grade history and social science frameworks, texts meet requirements laid out by the CCSS ELA 5th grade standards and might make a good topic of study during Black History Month.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.5.3
Explain the relationships or interactions between two or more individuals, events, ideas, or concepts in a historical, scientific, or technical text based on specific information in the text.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.5.5
Compare and contrast the overall structure (e.g., chronology, comparison, cause/effect, problem/solution) of events, ideas, concepts, or information in two or more texts.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.5.6
Analyze multiple accounts of the same event or topic, noting important similarities and differences in the point of view they represent.
Anchor Text: What Was the Underground Railroad? by Yona Zeldis McDonough
Format: Nonfiction/Informational Text (chapter book) Lexile: 710L Grade Level: 5th Summary: This text consists of 108 pages outlining information that is known, and some speculation, about the underground railroad. It discusses how slavery began in America, the typical routine of life as a slave on a plantation, the role abolitionists and Quakers, the Fugitive Slave Act, and also some famous stories of escaped slaves. The text highlights on key historical figures such as Harriet Tubman, John Fairfield, John Rankin, and Henry “Box” Brown. In the middle of the text a set of eight pages contains pictures of former slaves that successfully found freedom on the Underground Railroad, famous abolitionist, and actual hiding places along the Underground Railroad. |
Supplemental Text: Unbound: a novel in verse by Ann E. Burg
Format: Verse (fiction) Lexile: 900L Summary: This story is written in verse from the perspective of a young girl named Grace. Her family lives on a plantation, and when Grace is sent to live and work in the Big House she questions the treatment of her people by white people. Grace’s questions cause problems and her family must flee for freedom. This story is about injustice, sacrifice, and what dangers a person is willing to risk for their freedom. Unbound would be a great text for extension activities that require higher level thinking, particular for students reading above grade level or who participate in Talented and Gifted (TAG) programs. |
Supplemental Text: Ranger in Time: Long Road to Freedom by Kate Messner
Format: Prose (fiction) Lexile: 620L Summary: Ranger is a dog that travels through time via a first aid kit to help people overcome situations of conflict. In this story, he comes across Sarah and Jesse, two runaway slaves. Sarah has decided to run in order to save her younger brother, Jesse, from being sold to a plantation further south. It is up to Ranger to help the children find safety on the Underground Railroad as they work their way towards freedom, all the time dodging obstacles such as slave catchers along the way. This is a great resource, especially for students that may be reading a grade or two below grade level. Students might be asked to compare some of the Underground Railroad methods used by Sarah and Jesse in this fictional story, to real-life accounts given in the anchor text. |
Supplemental Text: Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales: The Underground Abductor by Nathan Hale
Format: Graphic Novel Lexile: 370L Summary: Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales is the fifth book in a series of graphic novels based on true historical events and people. Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales: The Underground Abductor focuses on the life story of Araminta Ross, better known as Harriet Tubman. It is full of action and adventure, mixed with the real elements of sadness, fear, and danger slaves felt as they fled their homes in order to gain freedom. The story is broken up with a healthy dose of comic relief and the pictures add context to the story. This book is great for reluctant readers or students reading below grade level. As a summative assessment, students might be asked to write a report, biography, or fictional account of the Underground Railroad in the format of a graphic novel. |
Supplemental Text: Henry’s Freedom Box by Ellen Levine
Format: Picture Book Lexile: 490L Summary: This picture books is based off of the true story of Henry “Box” Brown. Henry grew up as a slave. When he was older his wife and children were sold to a plantation far away. This caused Henry to come up with a plan for freedom. He decided to mail himself in a box to the Northern states where slavery was illegal. Thankfully, Henry made it safely to freedom. Ellen Levine captures this story in a very kid-friendly way, and Kadir Nelson’s illustrations are fantastic. Students will enjoy the illustrations in this story, and may choose to compare and contrast the picture book’s portrayal of the event with the account given in the anchor text. |
Supplemental Text: Unspoken: a story from the Underground Railroad by Henry Cole
Format: Picture Book (wordless) Summary: Unspoken is a wordless picture book written by Henry Cole to depict a possible occurrence on the Underground Railroad. The story begins with a girl finding someone hiding in the barn. She brings the stranger food and helps hide him when slave catchers come to ask about runaways. Moving and captivating, this story shows the power of actions… no words needed. This book helps students develop inference skills. Another great resource for students reading below grade level. Students may be asked to use this book as an extension activity where they create a piece of artwork that depicts what the Underground Railroad means to them. |
Supplemental Text: Moses: when Harriet Tubman led her people to freedom by Carole Boston Weatherford.
Format: Picture Book Lexile: 660L Summary: In this Caldecott Honor book, the author makes a comparison between the American slaves and masters to the biblical story of the Israelites’ slavery and the Egyptian masters. It tells of Harriet Tubman’s travels on the Underground Railroad, from her first journey to set herself free and her return to guide others to freedom as well. Beautiful illustrations by Kadir Nelson, this picture book has a deep message of faith, doubt, and overcoming hardship. Students may be asked to compare and contrast the life of Harriet Tubman as narrated through this picture book and Nathan Hale’s graphic novel. |
Supplementary Text: Freedom Over Me: Eleven slaves, their lives and dreams brought to life by Ashley Bryan
Format: Picture Book (poetry) Lexile: 730L Summary: This book contains eleven stories written in verse. Each poem is told from a different slave’s point-of-view of life on the plantation or in the Big House. The poems talk about their job and everyday life, but a second poem depicts their dreams. It especially highlights the depiction of slaves as property by outlining their job duties and how much they are worth at auction. Students might be asked to write their own poetry from the perspective of a slave, perhaps a slave in flight to freedom on the Underground Railroad. |
Supplementary Text: Stuff You Missed in History Class: How the Underground Railroad Worked
Format: Podcast Retrieved From: www.missedinhistory.com/podcasts/how-the-underground-railroad-worked.htm# Summary: This podcast last about 17 minutes and explains several historical facts about the underground railroad. The podcast hosts go over some of the more commonly known facts about the Underground Railroad, but they also highlight a few misconceptions as well as a lot of remaining mystery. Further discussion is given to governmental laws at the time that protected slavery, such as the Fugitive Slave Act. The podcast hosts discuss some of the terrible penalties that could be enforced if this law was ignored or broken. This podcast would be a great resource for auditory learners and struggling readers. Teachers may ask students to create interview questions for a runaway slave, conductor, abolitionist, or Harriet Tubman. |