Importance of Quilts Used in the Underground Railroad System

Names: Katie Blomquist, Alison Briggs, Dawn Davidson, Kelly Frey, Amber Hemann

Date: December 11, 2003

Content Area: Social Studies Grade Level: 3

Objectives: . Create a quilt based on important aspects from the Underground Railroad. . Use appropriate technology and reference materials to research a topic about the Underground Railroad. . Write a paragraph based on the research that will include important information regarding the Underground Railroad.

Strategies/Techniques:

Through oral reading, computer research, and class discussion students will develop a class quilt relating to the Underground Railroad.

Materials: . Hidden in Plain View: A Secret Story of Quilts and the Underground Railroad by Raymond Debord . Computers with internet access . Colored paper . Pens/pencils . Lined paper . Hole puncher . Yarn

Procedures:

Anticipatory Set: . Teacher will read Hidden in Plain View: A Secret Story of Quilts and the Underground Railroad, by Raymond Debord, aloud to students. . Inform students they will be working with computers.

Development: . Take students to computer lab. . Assign students a specific topic in dealing with the Underground Railroad. . Instruct students to research information on their given topic. . Inform them that they should find enough information to write a three to five sentence paragraph. . Allow students to research for approximately 15min. . After researching, students should return to the classroom. . Instruct students to write their paragraph on the provided lined paper. . When they complete the paragraphs, allow them to attach them to colored paper. . As a class, attach the sheets of paper together with string to form a quilt. . Make sure the students place a blue sheet of paper in the center of the quilt to properly represent a freedom quilt. Closure: . Discuss the quilt and its relevance to the Underground Railroad as a class. . Have the students find a place in the classroom to display the quilt.

Modifications/Adaptations: . Allow students to work in pairs if needed. . Provide a checklist of steps involved in the lesson. . Provide a sheet with transitions for students when writing.

Extensions: . Allow students to illustrate pictures of their topic in the space below their paragraph. . Teach the students the song, Follow the Drinking Gourd.

Technology: . Computers with internet access.

Assessment: . Students must have three to five sentences regarding their assigned topic. . Students will assemble a class quilt that has a blue square in the middle. . Class will demonstrate their computer skills in regards to using the internet to acquire new information.