About this book
Taking a Risk
Harriet Tubman made nineteen trips along the Underground Railroad to lead enslaved African Americans to freedom in the north. Write the word altruism on the board, and discuss its meaning with students. What do they think motivated Harriet Tubman to risk her life for others? What might have motivated Quakers to shelter the people escaping from the south?
Passwords to Freedom
The Underground Railroad had “passengers,” “conductors,” and “stations.” Ask students to suppose that they were conductors on the Underground Railroad. Have them think of code words and passwords for different situations they might encounter, such as “danger” or “all clear.” Students can write their passwords and definitions in a code book.
Portrait of Harriet Tubman
Who was Harriet Tubman? What prompted her to help others? Tell students to research the life of Harriet Tubman. They can present their findings in the form of a short story, a play, a poem, or a song.
- Subjects:Slavery, Underground Railroad, Abolition, Drawing Conclusions and Making Inferences, Literature Appreciation, Research Skills, Vocabulary, Expository Writing, Nonfiction Writing, Poetry Writing, Historic Figures
- Skills:Drawing Conclusions, Making Inferences, Biographies, Codes, Messages, and Signs, Research Skills, Vocabulary, Expository Writing, Poetry Writing
