Slaves and Conductors    Of the Underground Railroad

Introduction Task Process Resources Evaluation

Conclusion Teacher Notes

Introduction

   You have been studying about slavery, and learning why and how some slaves tried to escape to freedom.  During your study of American and Indiana history, you have learned that many people in the United States had slaves.  These slaves had no personal freedom.  They could not leave the home when they wanted to; they could not marry who they wanted to; they may be sold to another person and families were sometimes separated--parents may never see their children again.  Because of this, many slaves tried to escape to Canada where they could work and live in freedom.   The slaves needed help as they tried to find a new life and many people against slavery were these helpers.  The slaves traveled on an "Underground Railroad" -- no train cars or tracks, but a dangerous trip for escaping slaves.

Task

You will learn why and how slaves escaped from their owners using the underground railroad, and who ran the underground railroad.  Students will work in groups of four (4) - two(2) slaves and two(2) conductors.  The slaves and conductors will do research about the underground railroad.  They will present their information by using HyperStudio, Power Point, or a play.

Process

1.   You will be placed in groups of four(4), and decide on who will be the slaves and who will be the conductors of the group.

     2.        You will brainstorm with your group and teacher about what you have learned about the underground railroad up to this point.

     3.        Complete slave or conductor questions and definitions page and keep in project folder..

     4.        Compile answers from question and definitions page.

     5.        Choose and prepare presentation with bibliography.

Resources

Print:

Hamilton, Virginia.  Many Thousand Gone: African Americans from Slavery to Freedom

Brill, Marleene Targ.  Allen Jay and The Underground Railroad

Stein, R. Conrad.  The Underground Railroad

Stein, R. Conrad.  They Story of The Underground Railroad

Bial, Raymond.  The Underground Railroad

Monjo. F.N. The Drinking Gourd

Ferris, Jeri.  Go Free or Die

Bradby, Marie.  More Than Anything Else

Sanders, Scott Russell. A Place Called Freedom

Rappaport, Doreen.  Escape From Freedom

Winter, Jeanette.  Follow The Drinking Gourd

Ringgold, Faith.  Aunt Harriet's Underground Railroad in the Sky

Porter, Connie.  Meet Addy : an American Girl

Internet Sites:

Church in Indiana http://www.cr.nps.gov/nr/travel/underground/in1.htm

Biographies of conductors http://americancivilwar.com/underground_railroad.html

American Slave Narratives http://xroads.virginia.edu/~HYPER/wpa/wpahome.html

On An Underground Railroad song and definitions http://cuip.net/~sharris/underground/studentactivities.htm

Underground Railroad Quilt http://www.hartcottagequilts.com/railroad.htm

Conner Prairie Field Trip http://www.connerprairie.org/

CD-Rom:

World Book Multimedia Encyclopedia

Compton's Interactive Encyclopedia

Evaluation

Individual Contribution	Low Level Accomplishment          ( 5pts.)	Medium Level Accomplishment  (8pts.)	High Level Accomplishment  (10pts.)	Scoring
Worksheet Questions	answers some	answers most	answers all
Correct Answers	0-8 correct answers	9-15 correct answers	16-18 correct answers
Research	answers have little information from sources	answers have most information from sources	answers show understanding of information from sources
Organization	some information kept in folders	most information kept in folders	all information kept in folders
Participation in Brainstorming	does not contribute	contributes some	contributes to discussion

Total Score___________

Group Contribution	Low Level Accomplishment  (5pts.)	Medium Level Accomplishment  (8pts.)	High Level Accomplishment (10pts.)	Scoring
Compiling Information	offers little from sources	offers some from sources	offers all information found from sources
Bibliography	1-3 sources cited	4-6 sources cited	7 or more sources cited
Final Presentation	offers little help for project    (10 pts.)	offers some help for project   (20pts.)	offers help for successful presentation (30pts.)

Total Score___________

Conclusion

    After finishing this webquest and the presentation, students will have a better understanding of the struggles of the slaves and the people who tried to help them.

Created on July 8, 1999

By Barb Sears and Carroll Hopp

Last updated April 3, 2005 by Trisha Armstrong

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Teacher Notes

Grade level:  Grade 4

Time to complete:  2-3 weeks

Requirements:  Students must know Power Point and/or Hyperstudio

This webquest is designed to be used when students are studying the Civil War and Indiana history.  The students will already know some basic facts about the underground railroad from classroom study.  Brainstorming will be done before the webquest begins so the teacher can determine prior knowledge. 

Question and Definition Page