FREE Online Classroom Tools
LOGINORREGISTER FOR FREE
HotChalk
LessonPlansPage.com
Math Language Arts Science Social Studies Art Computers & Internet Music P.E. & Health Other Multi-Disciplinary
HotChalk.com EdScope, L.L.C. EduBanners.com Learn PC Hardware @ SitesForTeachers @ Teach-nology Education Master's Teacher Magazines Teaching Jobs About This Site How To Use Contact Info Advertising Info Educational Links Having Problems?
Online Degrees Teacher's Guide
Bookmark and Share
Join LPP Newsletter:  
Search This Site:  
Civil War Unit - Lesson B: Underground Railroad
A SPECIAL INVITATION FOR TEACHERS... LEARN MORE CLOSE

Concordia University Online

LessonPlansPage.com would like to take a moment to let you know about Concordia University's new Master’s Degrees in Education that you can complete online in just one year!

Available Master's Degrees in Education include:

  • Curriculum & Instruction: Reading
  • Curriculum & Instruction: Methods & Curriculum
  • Curriculum & Instruction: English to Speakers
    of Other Languages
  • Educational Leadership

These programs can help you:

  • Open the door to a variety of school leadership career opportunities like higher education teaching, department chair, ELL consultant, literacy coach, or curriculum coordinator
  • Complete your degree in one year, on your schedule,
    from the comfort of your home
  • A Master's Degree could mean an automatic salary increase in your school district!

Find Out More!




A national university system with 10 campuses throughout the United States, Concordia was founded more than 100 years ago and is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
CLOSE
Printable Version for your convenience!

Title - Civil War Unit - Lesson B: Underground Railroad
By - Sarah Higgins
Primary Subject - Social Studies
Secondary Subjects - Music, Language Arts
Grade Level - 4th-6th
Contents: Civil War Unit
Lesson B

Objective: The learner will demonstrate knowledge of the significance of songs that are used to communicate important information.

Materials: - Song and lyrics from: http://ushistory.com/railr.htm & http://www.acusd.edu/~spalma/FollowtheDrinkingGourd.html

Anticipatory Set: Students will listen to the rap about the underground railroad found on the site http://ushistory.com/railr.htm Students should also be able to see lyrics on the overhead projector.

Instructional Input:

Teacher Activities
Student Activities
-Ask students what their impressions are about the song that was played. -Give opinions about the rap song.
-Ask students to think about why the song was written. What was the purpose of the format of the song? How did the type of music help to communicate the message? Whom did the lyrics mention? Write the students' answers on the board. -Discuss the questions with a partner. Share the ideas with the whole class.
-Once students have reached the conclusion that music can be used to communicate ideas and information, tell the students about the songs used to communicate paths on the Underground Railroad. Play and show these songs' lyrics on the overhead. (See Appendix B-1.) -Examine the songs for the information.
-Ask the students what they believe that the song says about the Underground Railroad and the path that should be taken. (See Appendix B-2.) -Discuss ideas with a partner and share with the class.

Checking for Understanding: Listen to student responses. Have students respond with a thumbs-up or thumbs-down during discussion.

Guided Practice: Have the students make a map of directions to their house. Demonstrate by writing directions to a popular restaurant or the school. Then, show the students how to turn clear directions into a coded set by using descriptive words and landmarks. Set the words to a familiar tune such as "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star." Have the students meet in small groups and finish the directions that the teacher has demonstrated.

Independent Practice: The students should examine their own set of directions and write descriptive phrases. If help is needed, the students are free to ask the other students around them. Students should also pick a tune to go with their directions.

Evaluation: The students should be prepared to share their set of directions with the class. Also, each student should be prepared to write in his or her journal about the process of making these directions and their significance to the Underground Railroad.

E-Mail Sarah Higgins!

Click to visit other good teacher sites
Click here for more great teacher sites