Wednesday, February 1, 2017

Famous Me - Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad

Join us as we study Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad.

Read Online:


Create a Coin Usually a coin has a face on one side and a symbol or other image on the other side. What symbol would you place on a coin to honor Harriet Tubman? What value would you assign to the coin? 

Map the Underground Railroad Using a map, follow the route of the Underground Railroad. If possible, drive to areas that may have been followed. Our family was surprised to learn that it traveled right through our community.

Chart the Stars The Underground Railroad taught slaves to follow the North Star. Take a stroll outside on a clear night and find the Little Dipper and North Star. Talk about how people have used the stars as a navigational guide.

Hidden Journey Write a song or poem giving clues to guide children on a journey through a park, yard or even the house. Place markers along the trail as was done in the Underground Railroad. If possible, send them on the journey at dusk. Depending on the location, adult guides may be necessary. Have someone greet the children at the end of the journey with snacks. Discuss how they felt as they traveled.

Further Information:

History of the song Follow the Drinking Gourd
Follow the Drinking Gourd video

Add to Timeline:

Harriet Tubman's birth - around 1822
Harriet Tubman's death - March 10, 1913
Harriet Tubman's escape from slavery - 1849
Start of the Civil War - April 12, 1861
Emancipation Proclamation - January 1, 1863
Ratification of the 13th Amendment - December 6, 1865
End of the Civil War - May 9, 1865

Use this Famous Me worksheet for a quick place to keep notes about each person studied.