Hello and welcome to the last trimester of the 2020/2021 school year! We hope you had a restful break and are ready to jump into this final trimester.
This week we are learning about the Underground Railroad – that secret network of people, safe houses, and routes that helped enslaved African Americans escape to freedom in the north. There is so much rich history here, filled with courage, sacrifice, inspiring stories of success as well as heartbreak and sorrow. Below we’ve gathered a few links to supplement this topic if you want to enrich your home day studies. As always, we encourage parents to preview the material and watch/participate with your kids when possible.
Resources Links:
Discovering the Underground Railroad Activity Book | This National Park Junior Ranger Activity Booklet has activities that not only offer information about the Underground Railroad but challenge your kids to think about their freedom.
Escape to Freedom | This Scholastic website features a book about Harriet Tubman. Watch a video, listen to the book, and have fun playing a quiz game.
Aboard the Underground Railroad | A list of the sites on the Railroad. Click on each one to learn more.
Harriet Tubman, Spy | Harriet Tubman was more than a conductor on the Underground Railroad. Check out this NatGeo Kids article to learn more.
Harriet Tubman | 10 interesting facts.
DK FindOut!: Harriet Tubman | Perfect for our younger students to learn about Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad.
8 Key Contributors to the Underground Railroad | Learn about 8 abolitionists that helped bring enslaved people to freedom.
Follow the Drinking Gourd | Lyrics and clues about the words.
The Underground Railroad | A National Geographic article with a map showing the railroad routes.
Narrative of Henry “Box” Brown | Our Primary students are reading Henry’s Freedom Box – read Henry’s account.
Video Links:
*Parents, please preview for your students first.
How the Underground Railroad Worked | A concise video explaining how the Underground Railroad operated.
The Breathtaking Courage of Harriet Tubman | An animated TEDEd video detailing the heroism of Harriet Tubman.
The Underground Railroad | A cartoon about the Underground Railroad and Abolitionists.
America the Story of Us: Harriet Tubman | A History video all about Harriet “Moses” Tubman.
Follow the Drinking Gourd | Listen to the lyrics of one of the songs that led some enslaved African Americans to freedom.
Sojourner Truth Speech of 1851, “Ain’t I a Woman” | A reenactment of this famous speech.
How One Piece of Legislation Divided a Nation | Our upper grades are touching precursors to the Civil War including the Kanas-Nebraska Act. This TEDEd video explains its significance.
Dred Scott v. Sandford | A Khan Academy video discussing the importance of this court case and its impact.
