Description:
This literacy lesson is designed for kindergarten through third-grade students using the book Henry's Freedom Box by Ellen Levine. After using a graphic organizer to collect prior knowledge of what a slave is? Students will listen to and discuss the story of one slave's escape to freedom. This lesson is designed as a springboard to a unit on slavery and the Underground Railroad.
Goals & Objectives:
Instructional Goals
Students will
- Make predictions about what a book could be about
- Understand the difference between a slave and a servant
Learning Objectives
Student will
- Explain, in their own words what a slave is.
- Explain, in their own words what Henry’s life was like
- Identify the dangers of the trip Henry took in the Freedom Box
Motivational Goals
- To reinforce students’ understanding of a true story of one of the most famous escaped slaves in American History.
- To generate interest in seeking information on slavery and the Underground Railroad
Materials & Sources:
Procedures:
Introduction:
Get the students prepared to read and understand this book by using a KWL or Bubble Map to discuss the following:
- What is a slave?
- What do slaves do?
- Where do slave live?
- Who were slaves?
Body
- Discuss the difference between a slave and a servant.
- Show the class a pre Civil War map of the United States. Explain the difference between free and slave states.
- Read the title of the book and look at the cover. Have the students make predictions what the book could be about.
- Read the book and use the following to lead a discussion:
-
- What kind of work did Henry do when he still lived with his mother?
- Why did his master give him away?
- How do you think he felt? How would you feel in that situation?
- Was Henry happy when he worked in the factory? How do you know?
- How did Henry’s life change when he met Nancy?
- Have students list the dangers of Henry’s trip. How was he able to get to freedom?
- If you were Henry would you have gone on this trip in a box?
Conclusion:
Close the lesson by asking the students what they have learned about slaves during this lesson. Share a picture book in the library about Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad as a source of future information.
Follow up Activity (extensions)
- Boxed up Worksheet- find information about Henry “Box” Brown using book or other resources such as the Internet, encyclopedias and nonfiction books.
- All Aboard- Have students research the Underground Railroad. Have them prepare a map marked with different routes that could have been taken.
Assessment:
The students will
• Access prior knowledge on a topic
• Respond to questions about slaves and slavery
• Discuss and retell events in the story
The LMS will
• Will observe and evaluate the students’ participation and reactions throughout the lesson
Sources:
