For Teachers: Activities and Lesson Plans: Language Arts 7-12:
Lesson 1: Lifting the Fog: What is the Underground Railroad?

Language Arts:  Grades 7-8
Discussion, Writing, and Presentation

Context and Content Knowledge

Many students, especially those in earlier grade levels, have misconceptions about the Underground Railroad.  They believe that it had to do with an elaborate network of tunnels and secret passageways.  Few students are aware of the local history and folklore surrounding with the Underground Railroad.  In this lesson, students will explore the myths and mysteries through small-group discussion.  The teacher will later present information about the true story of the Underground Railroad, focusing on the importance of the local area and local people who helped fugitive slaves in their escape from the South.

Rationale

It’s important to allow students to explore their perspectives in order to elicit the origins of their beliefs and make their learning experience more valuable.   Through the sharing and discussing of ideas, students will arrive at a greater awareness of local history and, more importantly, come to the understanding that the Underground Railroad is a story that belongs to all people, black and white.

Standards       

Speaking and Listening          1.6.8 A, C, D, E    
*taken from the Academic Standards for Reading, Writing, Speaking, and Listening, as established by the Pennsylvania Department of Education           

Educational Goals       (what/how will students learn?)

  1. Students will explore their prior knowledge of the Underground Railroad.

  2. Students will work cooperatively in small groups to discuss their ideas.

  3. Each group will develop a list of ideas about the Underground Railroad that will be presented to the class.
  4. Students will synthesize their perspectives and, with instructional support from the teacher, generate a master list of characteristics of the true history of the Underground Railroad.

Activities/Procedures

  • Explain the procedure and expectations for the small-group component of the lesson
  • Divide students into groups of 3-4 (depending on class size)
  • Circulate to monitor the students’ progress, discussions, and adherence to directions, providing guidance as necessary
  • Allow approximately 10-15 minutes for each group to develop a list of assumptions about the Underground Railroad
  • Give each group a short time to present their list to the class
  • Conclude the lesson by synthesizing the information presented and discussing the historically accurate information about the existence of the Underground Railroad

Materials/References Needed

Markers
Paper
Chalkboard/Chalk
Drawings or Illustrations of tunnels, railroads
Handout:  How the Underground Railroad Got Its Name
Safe Harbor documentary or DVD (primarily for teacher’s purposes; view documentary and compile relevant notes to present to students in discussion)

Online Resources

Lesson plans developed by Emily Johnson, a 10th grade language arts teacher in Dubois, Pennsylvania.