Underground Railroad Quest

Introduction||Tasks||Process||Resources||Standard||Learning Advice||Assessment||Conclusion||

Introduction

The time is 1835, the height of the Underground Railroad. You and a partner own a tiny book shop in a town just north of the Canadian border. You have a thriving business, but not in book sales. You are an abolitionist helping slaves reach the Promised Land. Today is no different. You are on a mission to free a slave. If you do not take action, she will be sent back to the plantation. There, her master will punish her severely and her chances of freedom will evade her. It's a risky business, the consequences are extreme, but her life is depending on you. Please do not let her down.

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Tasks

You and your partner may choose to do 1 of the following activities. A classroom presentation will be required. Have an amazing time.

Task #1

Your slave is having second thoughts. She doesn't think she can do it. To encourage her, you retrieve biographical information on famous Underground Railroad people. You display the cards on the table. Each card has an illustration of the famous person and factual information on the back. If you decide to tackle this task, please click the picture.

Task #2

Your slave has heard many stories about other fugitives running away from plantations and reaching the Promised Land. "How will I know where to go? Who can I trust?" she asks. To answer her questions, you begin drawing a map to freedom. Click the picture if this task interests you.

Task #3

While you and your fugitive friend wait for nightfall, you decide that it might be fun to play a board game. Click on the fugitive if you want to create an Underground Railroad board game.

Task #4

The night is long. Your friend is beginning to fall asleep. After bringing her some milk and cookies, you move your special rocking chair out of the way, loosen and pry up a section of the floor and remove a beautifully bound book. You explain to her that this is a story about the triumphs and struggles of a slave. Click the illustration if this task interests you.

Task #5

Your slave has departed. You have given her the knowledge, skills and the confidence to accomplish her risky mission. Now it's all up to her. Although you are exhausted, you are unable to fall asleep until you hear from the Underground Railroad allies that she is safe and has reached the Promised Land. Rocking back and forth in your chair, you reach for your crossword puzzle. You say to yourself, "It might be a long night." If this task is something you would like to do, please click on the picture.

Task #6

You have received word that she is safe and has reached the Promised Land. Congratulations!!! You have helped one more fugitive slave reach the Promised Land. After all your risky business, it's time to get some sleep. As you crawl into bed, you make sure to pull up your gorgeous hand made quilt. This quilt was a thank you gift from a freed slave. Click the picture if you would like to create a quilt.

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Process

Underground Railroad Trading Cards (Task #1)

Prepare a deck of trading cards, similar to baseball cards-based on famous Underground Railroad people (at least 10). Please make sure to include Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass, Levi Coffin and Sojourner Truth. Your cards should be created on white construction paper with magic markers. Each card should measure 10cm by 10cm. An illustration of your famous person should be on one side of the card with their name labeled underneath. On the other side you should include important information about your slave. Make sure you divide your work. Your partner will be responsible for 5 cards and so will you. National Geographic

Freedom Map (Task #2)

Create 2 maps: one map will be a layout of the next town your slave will be resting in. Please make sure to include at least fifteen buildings, in a creative design, add landscaping (trees, creeks, mountains, etc.), roads and other items that might jazz up your map. Create a first draft of your map. Your final draft should be done in pencil first and traced over with a fine tipped marker. Place a map key in the lower right hand corner. You may add color if you wish. The more creative the better. Each building should be labled and your slave must be aware of the houses that are safe to visit (i.e.:lanterns and/or quilts). 1)Yahooligan Maps 2) Maps of the Underground Railroad Routes

The second map will be a birds eye view from the state your friend is presently resting in to the next one and finally to the Land of the Free. Please refer to the slave routes that were used during the Underground Railroad days. Select a state to illustrate in which you and your friend are living in presently. Next, decide which state your fugitive friend will be fleeing to. Then include the Land of the Free. Include a written, step-by-step direction sheet that your fugitive friend can keep with her at all times. In your step-by-step direction sheet, include the obstacles and successes your friend will meet along the way. The second map must be labeled as well and drawn to scale. Please add the scale to the lower right hand corner.

Underground Railroad Boardgame (Task #3)

Design and construct a board game of the Undergound Railroad. You will need the board, playing pieces, cards, and sheet with the rules. Test play your game before you make the final version. Your board game should be constructed on thick construction paper. The spaces on the board should be the same size and should be created with a ruler. Your spaces should allow the players to move forward and/or backward. Your questions should focus on Underground Railroad facts. The amount of questions is up to you. But, you should have at least 20. Your questions need to be approved by your teacher before your final version. Your game board should be appealing to the eye. That is, color, illustrations and game pieces are a must.

Story Book/Picture Book (Task #4)

Create a story book about the life of an imaginary slave and the life they have experienced. Please include, life on the plantation, running away, struggles and triumphs during their journey, and their arrival to the Promised Land. Your book should have a front cover with a colorful illustration, a decorative title and the author's name. Your book should also have a dedication page. Your story should include a beginning, middle and an end. If you decide to do a picture book, you should have at least 10 colorful illustrations with the appropriate text that goes along with it. You should provide your teacher with a rough draft of the text and illustrations to be approved before the final version.

Underground Railroad Crossword (Task #5)

Create your own crossword puzzle (minimum of 20 words) which relate to the Underground Railroad. You will need to think of the words, write the clues and put it all together into a form which we can photocopy and share with others. Your crossword puzzle should be created on white construction paper. You will need to use a ruler to create the puzzle spaces. Your clues will be printed on the bottom of the sheet. Please be prepared to show your teacher a rough draft of your words and clues before the final project is completed.

Underground Railroad Quilt (Task #6)

Make a quilt (or a fabric wall hanging) which tells about a safe route to the Promised Land or images that relate to the Underground Railroad. You might make a series of squares with crayon drawings which have been ironed into the fabric or perhaps glue felt pieces to make a colorful collage. Your squares should be made of white card stock and measure 8 inches by 8 inches. Your designs need to be colorful and big enough to fit the whole square. Rough drafts of your designs are a must.

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Resources

Explanation of the Drinking Gourd

History of the Drinking Gourd

Explanation of the Underground Railroad

Underground Railroad-People and Events

Underground Railroad Timeline

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Learning Advice

1. Have an amazing time learning about the Underground Railroad.

2. Read through all of the Underground Railroad tasks with your partner. Then select the one that you both agree on.

3. Please remember to review the rubrics before you begin any activities.

4. Once you and your partner have read all of the necessary information, discuss and assign all responsibilities that will need to be implemented in order to successfully complete your mission.

5. Work as a team. Cooperate, listen, and respect each other.

6. Make sure you understand your task before you begin.

7. Before you begin your final project, sign-up for a teacher conference.

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Vermont Standards

Speaking

1.15 Students use verbal and nonverbal skills to express themselves effectively.

Information Technology

1.18 Students use computers, telecommunications and other tools of technology to research, to gather information and ideas, and to represent information and ideas accurately and appropriately.

Teamwork

3.10 Students perform effectively on teams that set and achieve goals, conduct investigations, solve problems, and create solutions.

Design and Production

5.15 Students design and create media products that successfully communicate.

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Assessment

Information Technology Rubric

Criteria

Wow!!!

Got It!!

Almost There!

Standard 1.18

Students use computers to gather information and represent it appropriately.

In gathering information, I was able to use additional sources to locate information about the Underground Railroad. I used, for example, additional sources not listed, encyclopedias, and books.

I did not need any adult assistance.

In gathering information, I was able to locate the WebQuest and travel back and forth from the links to other Internet links.

I needed adult assistance 1-2 times.

In gathering info, I was able to locate the WebQuest and retrieve information from the links offered. I was not able to travel from the Internet sources back to the WebQuest.

I needed adult assistance more than 3 times.

Oral Presentation Rubric

Criteria

Above and Beyond

Got It

Approaching

Needs Work

1.15 d Make effective use of such devices as pace, volume, stress, enunciation, and pronunciation

I had excellent voice projection and clarity.

My voice was easily heard and I spoke clearly.

I was too quiet; and I was mumbling a little.

My voice was much too soft and I was mumbling.

1.15 c show an awareness of an audience by planning and adjusting to its reaction.

I was looking at the audience through the whole presentation.

I was looking at the audience most of the time.

I was looking at the audience occasionally.

I was looking down and did not make eye contact with audience.

1.15 e Use language expressively and persuasively

My presentation was very expressive and I received reactions from the audience.

My presentation was expressive and easily understood.

My presentation had very few expressions and was not easily understood.

My presentation lacked expression and not understood.

Teamwork Rubric

Before beginning the rubric, define the criteria with the students. This will ensure that students understand project expectations.

Criteria

Wow!!! 5 points

Right On!! 3 points

Keep Trying! 1 point

Student/Teacher

Student/Teacher

Student/Teacher

Staying on Task

Solved Problems /Created Solutions

Cooperation

Set and Completed Goals

*Teacher(s)as well as students will score rubric.

Our goal tomorrow is to______________________________________________

Total Points______________

Design and Production Rubric

Criteria

Got It!!!

Almost There!!

Keep Trying!

Aesthetically designed and colorful

My project has many colors and details and is recognizable.

My project is somewhat colorful and detailed and is recognizable.

My project has very little color, details and is not recognizable.

Project construction

My project is properly constructed and is neat.

My project has a few flaws and is a little messy.

My project is not properly constructed and has many flaws.

Project is clearly relevant to the topic

My project is clearly relevant to the task at hand.

My project is somewhat relevant to my task.

My project is not relevant to my task.

Completion of project

We completed our project on time.

We needed 1-2 days extra to complete our project.

We needed more than3 days to complete our project.

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Conclusion

Congratulations!!! You have completed your mission successfully. Your fugitive friend is enjoying her life as a free person. Now, you must rest, for more fugitives will be coming to your house for help. You must encourage them as you did your other friend to successfully reach the Promised Land. Shhhhh, I hear something...could it be another runaway?

Something to think about...Can you think of another time in history where people implemented a similar philosophy to the Underground Railroad?

Criteria	Wow!!!	Got It!!	Almost There!
Standard 1.18 Students use computers to gather information and represent it appropriately.	In gathering information, I was able to use additional sources to locate information about the Underground Railroad. I used, for example, additional sources not listed, encyclopedias, and books. I did not need any adult assistance.	In gathering information, I was able to locate the WebQuest and travel back and forth from the links to other Internet links. I needed adult assistance 1-2 times.	In gathering info, I was able to locate the WebQuest and retrieve information from the links offered. I was not able to travel from the Internet sources back to the WebQuest. I needed adult assistance more than 3 times.

Criteria	Above and Beyond	Got It	Approaching	Needs Work
1.15 d Make effective use of such devices as pace, volume, stress, enunciation, and pronunciation	I had excellent voice projection and clarity.	My voice was easily heard and I spoke clearly.	I was too quiet; and I was mumbling a little.	My voice was much too soft and I was mumbling.
1.15 c show an awareness of an audience by planning and adjusting to its reaction.	I was looking at the audience through the whole presentation.	I was looking at the audience most of the time.	I was looking at the audience occasionally.	I was looking down and did not make eye contact with audience.
1.15 e Use language expressively and persuasively	My presentation was very expressive and I received reactions from the audience.	My presentation was expressive and easily understood.	My presentation had very few expressions and was not easily understood.	My presentation lacked expression and not understood.

Criteria	Wow!!! 5 points	Right On!! 3 points	Keep Trying! 1 point
	Student/Teacher	Student/Teacher	Student/Teacher
Staying on Task
Solved Problems /Created Solutions
Cooperation
Set and Completed Goals

Criteria	Got It!!!	Almost There!!	Keep Trying!
Aesthetically designed and colorful	My project has many colors and details and is recognizable.	My project is somewhat colorful and detailed and is recognizable.	My project has very little color, details and is not recognizable.
Project construction	My project is properly constructed and is neat.	My project has a few flaws and is a little messy.	My project is not properly constructed and has many flaws.
Project is clearly relevant to the topic	My project is clearly relevant to the task at hand.	My project is somewhat relevant to my task.	My project is not relevant to my task.
Completion of project	We completed our project on time.	We needed 1-2 days extra to complete our project.	We needed more than3 days to complete our project.