The The UndergroundUnderground Railroad Railroad

IntroductionProcessTasksConclusionEvaluationResourcesStandardsCitationsTeacher Notes

A WebQuest for 5th Grade A WebQuest for 5th Grade Social StudiesSocial Studies

Designed by – Amy Y GutkoskiDesigned by – Amy Y Gutkoskiamygut@bgsu.eduamygut@bgsu.edu

EDTL 680 – Information Literacy for EDTL 680 – Information Literacy for Teaching and Learning – Summer Teaching and Learning – Summer

20062006

Based on a template from Based on a template from The WebQuest Page

IntroductionIntroduction

The life of a slave in the 1800’s was a very hard The life of a slave in the 1800’s was a very hard one. Slaves were often sold to owners far from one. Slaves were often sold to owners far from their families. The only way out of a life of slavery their families. The only way out of a life of slavery was to wait for your master to free you or escape.was to wait for your master to free you or escape. This one chance at freedom is why many chose to This one chance at freedom is why many chose to take a ride on the Underground Railroad. take a ride on the Underground Railroad.

ProcessProcess You will work in groups of three, taking on the role of You will work in groups of three, taking on the role of

escaping slaves. First, you need to find out what your life as escaping slaves. First, you need to find out what your life as a slave is like. Will your group chose to escape?a slave is like. Will your group chose to escape?

You must make your escape from your plantation in You must make your escape from your plantation in Montgomery, Alabama to the “promised land”. Your group Montgomery, Alabama to the “promised land”. Your group must learn about the underground railroad and those who must learn about the underground railroad and those who will be helpful to you on your journey. You must then plan will be helpful to you on your journey. You must then plan your escape route.your escape route.

Now its time for you to take a ride on the underground Now its time for you to take a ride on the underground railroad! Get ready for an exciting adventure…railroad! Get ready for an exciting adventure…

Finally, each person must produce a quilt square telling of Finally, each person must produce a quilt square telling of your escape to freedom and present it to your group. The your escape to freedom and present it to your group. The quilt squares will be joined together and displayed outside quilt squares will be joined together and displayed outside the classroom.the classroom.

Task 1- Life as a slaveTask 1- Life as a slave What was life like for slaves on a plantation? As What was life like for slaves on a plantation? As

you read, think about the differences between you read, think about the differences between how the slaves and their masters lived. Would how the slaves and their masters lived. Would you stay and remain a slave or take your chances you stay and remain a slave or take your chances at a better life?at a better life?

Click here!

Task 2- The PlanTask 2- The Plan Your group has made it’s decision- escape is the Your group has made it’s decision- escape is the

only answer! Now you must learn about the only answer! Now you must learn about the underground railroad and it’s conductors. Pick two underground railroad and it’s conductors. Pick two of the people highlighted on the website and read of the people highlighted on the website and read about them.about them.

Click Here

Next, you must plan your escape from the Next, you must plan your escape from the plantation in Montgomery, Alabama to Toledo, plantation in Montgomery, Alabama to Toledo, Ohio. Once you’re in Toledo you will board a boat Ohio. Once you’re in Toledo you will board a boat for Canada. You will plot your escape route on the for Canada. You will plot your escape route on the blank United States map, using the underground blank United States map, using the underground railroad site map. Correctly label all the states you railroad site map. Correctly label all the states you will pass through and color your “route to will pass through and color your “route to freedom” red.freedom” red.

Click Here

Task 3- All Aboard!Task 3- All Aboard!

Time to ride the Underground Railroad!Time to ride the Underground Railroad!

Get ready for a perilous journey aboard the “freedom train” Get ready for a perilous journey aboard the “freedom train” to a new life in the “promised land”. You will need to be to a new life in the “promised land”. You will need to be brave, smart, and a little lucky to make your journey a safe brave, smart, and a little lucky to make your journey a safe and successful one. and successful one.

Good Luck!

Task 4- Making a Quilt Task 4- Making a Quilt SquareSquare

Gather your supplies: tag board square, crayons, Gather your supplies: tag board square, crayons, colored pencils or markers.colored pencils or markers.

Put your name on the back of the square. Divide Put your name on the back of the square. Divide the square into 4 parts (they do not have to be the square into 4 parts (they do not have to be equal).equal).

Think about the things you learned. You need to Think about the things you learned. You need to illustrate 2 facts about the underground railroad illustrate 2 facts about the underground railroad and 2 facts about a person you read about.and 2 facts about a person you read about.

You may use pictures you draw, facts you write, You may use pictures you draw, facts you write, symbols, or a combination to illustrate your facts.symbols, or a combination to illustrate your facts.

Be creative and have fun!Be creative and have fun! Be prepared to present your quilt square to your Be prepared to present your quilt square to your

group.group.

ConclusionConclusion

Congratulations on your successful Congratulations on your successful journey to the “promised land” journey to the “promised land” aboard the underground railroad! It aboard the underground railroad! It was a difficult and sometimes scary was a difficult and sometimes scary adventure but it was worth it. Now adventure but it was worth it. Now you have a greater appreciation of you have a greater appreciation of what some of your fellow citizens what some of your fellow citizens have gone through to enjoy the have gone through to enjoy the freedom we cherish.freedom we cherish.

EvaluationEvaluation TaskTask BeginningBeginning DevelopingDeveloping MasteryMastery

MapMap

2 states labeled 2 states labeled correctly and correctly and spelled correctly. spelled correctly. Route identified.Route identified.

4 states labeled 4 states labeled correctly and correctly and spelled correctly. spelled correctly. Route colored.Route colored.

All states on route All states on route labeled correctly labeled correctly and spelled and spelled correctly. Route correctly. Route neatly colored.neatly colored.

Quilt Quilt SquareSquare

Depicts 2 facts.Depicts 2 facts.

Colored.Colored.Depicts 3 facts.Depicts 3 facts.

Colored neatly.Colored neatly.

Shows some Shows some creativity.creativity.

Depicts 4 facts.Depicts 4 facts.

Colored neatly.Colored neatly.

Shows originality Shows originality and creativity.and creativity.

PresentatiPresentationon

Had difficulty Had difficulty explaining facts.explaining facts.

Unable to recall Unable to recall names or events.names or events.

Had some difficulty Had some difficulty explaining facts. explaining facts. Good recall of Good recall of names and events.names and events.

Excellent Excellent explanation and explanation and recall of names and recall of names and facts.facts.

StandardsStandards Ohio Academic Content Standards- Grade 5- Social Studies.Ohio Academic Content Standards- Grade 5- Social Studies.

Benchmark: Explain the reasons people from various cultural Benchmark: Explain the reasons people from various cultural groups came to North America and the consequences of their groups came to North America and the consequences of their interactions with each other.interactions with each other.

Grade Level Indicator: Describe the experiences of African-Grade Level Indicator: Describe the experiences of African-Americans under the institution of slavery.Americans under the institution of slavery.

Ohio Academic Content Standards- Grade 5- Technology.Ohio Academic Content Standards- Grade 5- Technology.

Benchmark: Define responsible citizenship relative to technology.Benchmark: Define responsible citizenship relative to technology. Grade Level Indicator: Identify and show cooperative and Grade Level Indicator: Identify and show cooperative and

collaborative strategies to work with others when using collaborative strategies to work with others when using technology systems.technology systems.

CitationsCitations Photograph of Harriet Tubman: Photograph of Harriet Tubman: http://americancivilwar.com/women/harriet_tubman.htmlhttp://americancivilwar.com/women/harriet_tubman.html

Map of underground railroad:Map of underground railroad: http://education.ucdavis.edu/NEW/STC/lesson/socstud/railroad/images/map16.gifhttp://education.ucdavis.edu/NEW/STC/lesson/socstud/railroad/images/map16.gif

Interactive underground railroad online site, swinging lantern graphic: Interactive underground railroad online site, swinging lantern graphic: http://www.nationalgeographic.com/railroad/ http://www.nationalgeographic.com/railroad/

Underground Railroad sign: Underground Railroad sign: http://warrensburg.k12.mo.us/iadventure/freedom/ur.jpghttp://warrensburg.k12.mo.us/iadventure/freedom/ur.jpg

Underground Railroad Runner Image: Underground Railroad Runner Image: http://starrcenter.washcoll.edu/images/large/underground%20rr.jpghttp://starrcenter.washcoll.edu/images/large/underground%20rr.jpg

Hands and chain image:Hands and chain image: www.sanantonio.gov/.../news/letter/nl200206.aspwww.sanantonio.gov/.../news/letter/nl200206.asp

Life As A Slave:Life As A Slave: http://library.thinkquest.org/03oct/00394/life.htmhttp://library.thinkquest.org/03oct/00394/life.htm

History of Underground Railroad:History of Underground Railroad: http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/USASunderground.htmhttp://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/USASunderground.htm

ResourcesResources

Computer Computer - there is a sound component for the - there is a sound component for the interactive underground railroad site.interactive underground railroad site.

Map of the United StatesMap of the United States Paper and pencil for notesPaper and pencil for notes Materials for quilt square (see teacher notes for Materials for quilt square (see teacher notes for

entire list)entire list)

Teacher NotesTeacher Notes Materials needed: To make quilt squares each student will need an Materials needed: To make quilt squares each student will need an

8inch x 8 inch square of tag board, markers, crayons, and colored 8inch x 8 inch square of tag board, markers, crayons, and colored pencils.pencils.

May want to encourage students to take notes during the May want to encourage students to take notes during the webquest to make recall easier when they make their quilt webquest to make recall easier when they make their quilt squares.squares.

Blank, printable map of the United States available at:Blank, printable map of the United States available at: http://www.50states.com/maps/usamap.htmhttp://www.50states.com/maps/usamap.htm

Additional materials for evaluation:Additional materials for evaluation:““Brain BUiLDeRS”, Weekly Reader News- Edition 4; 1/28/2005, Vol. Brain BUiLDeRS”, Weekly Reader News- Edition 4; 1/28/2005, Vol. 86 Issue 17, p8-8, 1p Article.86 Issue 17, p8-8, 1p Article.Crossword Puzzle: “Railroad Crossing”, Ken Feisel dig; Jan/Feb Crossword Puzzle: “Railroad Crossing”, Ken Feisel dig; Jan/Feb 2003, Vol. 5 Issue 1, p 14 @ web.ebscohost.com/srck52003, Vol. 5 Issue 1, p 14 @ web.ebscohost.com/srck5