1.

Chapter Book (childrens): Dear Austin: Letters from the

Underground Railroad
This book is about a young boy who helps a young slave
escape and his letters he writes back home to his brother
about what their escape is like.
I chose this book firstly for readability. It is a quick and easy
read and not all high schoolers are going to be invested in
reading a longer book. This also gives a great, quick
glimpse into what daily life on the run was like, while not in
such a historical telling that it is hard to understand. Lastly,
while it is a kids book, it is a fun, sit back and read quickly
and enjoyable moment for the high school students after
their regular homework. It also has great examples of
letters that were written in code about the Underground
Railroad, which is handy since the students are writing
their own.

2. Primary Document- Lincolns Appeal to Border State

Representatives 1862
This is a document President Lincoln wrote asking the
border states of slave states that had seceded to consider
staying in the Union.
I chose this because it showed the tension in the politics,
not everyone was black or white on the issue of slavery
and Lincoln feared the Union would collapse if any of the
border states wanted to join their neighbors in leaving. This
allows students to look at primary documents that arent
too overwhelming or hard to understand.
3. Speech- Emancipation Proclamation- given by Lincoln

This is a very famous speech given by Abraham Lincoln

midway through the Civil War. A lot of students have heard
about it, but not actually had a chance to read it. This is
put in here to show that despite the myth, the
proclamation did not outlaw slavery and was not an
abolitionist movement. It was meant to preserve the Union,
not help slaves. I chose it, again, because it is a very nice
primary source, while also showing students how
ambiguous the issue of slavery was and how along with the
issue of morality, there was the issue of preserving the
nation.
4. Picture book- Follow the Drinking Gourd by Jeanette Winter
This is a picture book about a peg leg sailor who helps
slave on their escape from slavery on the Underground
Railroad. He teaches the runaways a song about the Big
Dipper constellation that is actually a way to communicate
with other members of the Underground Railroad.
I chose this because many students have heard about this
song, or at least that songs were used, but this gives it a
colorful story. It also gives face to the legends, even if they
are fictional characters. Students can see that the stars
and poems and songs were key into helping people on the
Underground Railroad communicate.

5. Non-fiction book- Disposable People by Kevin Bales

This book looks at the issue of modern slavery and the
different types of slavery, as well as some of the larger
slave countries. While slavery is illegal in the world,

millions of people are trapped in it and it can be a hard

issue for us to hear about or see in America. This book
sheds light on the tragic emergence of slave stories and
customs that have let this happen.
I chose this because unfortunately the topic of slavery is
still relevant today. The Civil War can seem distant, but the
issue and myths of slavery we hear about in the past are
still going on today. There are many different forms and it
is important for students to realize this topic still applies to
them and the world they live in.

6. Pamphlet- RIGHTS form put out by the Freedom Center:

R.racismthe belief that a particular race is superior

to others
I. illiteracyunable to read and write
G. genocidethe systematic, planned extermination
of an entire national, racial, political, or ethnic group
H.hungerthediscomfort,weakness,orpaincaused
byalack of food

T. tyrannyabsolute power, especially when

exercised unjustly or cruelly
S. slavery The state of being a slave; bondage or
The practice of owning slaves.
This is an acronym and curriculum put out by the Freedom Center to teach
students the vocab of slavery and then to try and make antonyms that are positive
that they can use to spread awareness of the issue and try to make a change.
I chose this because I love what the Freedom Center does. I also think that
learning about different problems that plague slaves is important because empathy
can be one of our strongest allies. This activity is meant to help students think
about the issues at hand and see what they can maybe do to make a difference.

7. Song- Wade into the water

8. Song- Steal Away
9. Song- Sweet Chariot
10. Song- Follow the Drinking Gourd
Thesefoursongsareforanactivitywherestudentswillbelookingatsonglyrics
totryandfigureoutwhatmessagetheymayhavebeenconveying,aswellas
listeningtoittotryandgagethemood(hopeful,depressed,dark,eerie,etc).I
chosesomanysongsbecausesongsweresuchakeyparttoslavelife,aswellas
slaveescape.Mostrunawaysusedthemtocommunicate,aswellasregularslaves
justtotelleachotherthingswithoutothersfiguringoutthemeaning.Thisshows
thevarietyoflyrics,aswellasthedifferenttones.Theseareallalsosongsthe
famousMoses,HarrietTubman,used.