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Instructional Goal -
Students will be able to use the internet and computer catalog to find resources to help them with their tasks.
They will be able to summarize what they learn and write brief essay based on this research
Learning Objectives:
4ht and 5th grade students will write essays based on subject matter introduced through fictional literature.
They will perform a successful search on the computer catalog and internet to obtain three resources on the subject o the Underground Railroad, with a focus on the use of items like quilts as guides.
Students will write an essay based upon factual information about the subject.
Students will create a bibliography citing at least three sources used in their essay
Students will present their final essay to student in their grade level
.Motivational Goals:
To stimulate and maintain interest in the research process
To build confidence in the research process
To encourage further exploration of research
Underground Railroad map
On-line resources (found through student searches)1. Initiate discussion with students on their knowledge of slavery.
2. Using a map of the United States, ask the students if they can name any of the slave or free states. Show students the U.S. Free and Slave States Map and identify the location of the slave and free states. Have a student locate Canada on the map
3. Read the book Show Way aloud to students explaining vocabulary when necessary
4. Discuss the importance of family and how the basic structure of a family can be lost when there is forced separation, as occurred during slavery
5. Discuss each of the symbols used by the slaves in the show way quilts and how these symbols might assist a runaway slave. Provide the names and definitions of each symbol afterwards.
6. Discuss the economics of slavery – plantation owners were fully reliant upon the work of slaves to provide their income in the mostly agricultural South.
7. Ask: How do you think that plantation owners felt about runaway slaves? Why? (Slave owners would be very angry because they needed the slaves to do the work on the plantation, and they had paid money for them. The slave masters would have to buy other slaves, spending more money to replace the runaway slaves.)
8. Introduced the assignment. Inform students that during the next class period they will begin to work individually to find primary sources that will assist them in writing their essays.
Session II
1. Begin class with a recap of the book and discussion held during the prior class period.
2. Model for students the way in which they should start their research fot eh essay.
3. Assign students to the computers to begin their research.
4. Students continue their research and begin writing their essays
5. Students are informed that they will have one week to conclude writing their essay and that the following class period will conclude this study with presentations of the essays that they have written.
Session III
Students present their work and discuss their learning experience.
