1. The Underground Railroad
An Integrated Literacy Approach

2. GLCE: 8-U4.3.2
Describe the formation and development of the abolitionist movement by considering the roles of key abolitionist leaders (e.g.,John Brown and the armed resistance, Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad, Sojourner Truth, Frederick Douglass, and William Lloyd Garrison), and the response of southerners and northerners to the abolitionist movement.

3. This integrated literacy approach is designed to use:
trade books,
primary sources,
interactive history websites,
song lyrics,
and an interactive map activity;
to help students understand the importance of the Underground Railroad to the abolitionist movement.

5. The Drinking Gourd --F.N. Monjo
1970: Harper Trophy Inc.
A young boy and his father help a family of slaves escape to freedom via the underground railroad

6. The 19th Century and Abolition (Voices in African American History)
The story of American slavery during the 1800’s. This book uses many primary sources to illustrate important people and events. It covers slavery, the underground railroad and the abolition movement.
1994: Modern Curriculum Press Comprehending the Past

7. Journey Toward Freedom: the Story of Sojourner Truth
Biography of Sojourner Truth, who was born into slavery, freed in 1827, and became famous for her courage, quick wit, and ready challenge as she campaigned for abolition and women's rights in New York and the Midwestern States.

8. Virtual Field Trip
The National Geographic's Exploration of the Underground Railroad
Most slaves did not choose to run away, and those that did had a very difficult time reaching freedom. The above link affords students an interactive journey on the Underground Railroad and a chance to make choices as the slaves who chose to run would’ve had to do.

9. Who Is Sojourner Truth? Sojourner Truth --youtube
A biography of the woman who started from slavery to become a formidable force in the push for women’s rights.
“Ain’t I a Woman?” --youtube
Alfre Woodard reads "Ain't I a Woman?", a speech delivered by abolitionist Sojourner Truth at the Women's Convention in Part of a reading from Voices of a People's History of the United States, February 1, 2007 at All Saints Church in Pasadena, CA.

10. The Slave Experience Response to Enslavement
Listen to first hand account of life during slavery and reconstruction: an interview of former slave Laura Smalley.
Consider the daily life decisions slaves faced. Students have the opportunity to explore different situations faced by slaves and answer the question, “What would you do?”
Look at original documents: Such as a reward announcement for the capture of runaway slaves.
See actual lyrics from “Song of the Abolitionist”

11. Underground Railroad Routes
Interactive Map
This link takes the student to an interactive map experience that will show them the various routes to freedom used by escaped slaves on the Underground Railroad.
Included with the routes are questions that focus the student’s attention on where the escaped slaves wanted to end up, how far they had to travel, and the different routes that could be taken.

12. Harriet Tubman Harriet Tubman
This is a video taken from youtube that provides a brief illustration of who Harriet Tubman was and her connection to the abolitionist movement.

13. Songs from Slavery Songs From Slavery –youtube video
A Narrative by Latino students recounting the history of slavery in the United States and the importance of songs as a way for slaves to communicate.