Making Multicultural Connections
Through Trade Books

Aunt Harriet's Underground Railroad in the Sky
Written by Faith Ringgold

Cultural Group: African American

Content Connection: Social Studies Grades 4 and 5

Topic : Geography, Map Skills

Suggested Exemplars

• Picture Interpretation: Old Locomotive by Lyonel Feininger
• Guess Box : compass
• Collection (revealed): compass, moss, star, tree, bark
• Music Interpretation: Spirituals - "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot;" "Follow the Drinking Gourd;" "Go Down Moses;" "Jacobs Ladder"

Learning Sequence

1. Reveal the print, Old Locomotive.

2. Students discuss the importance of locomotives.

3. Read aloud Aunt Harriet's Underground Railroad in the Sky. Compare Harriet Tubman's train to the one in the picture. How was Harriet like a conductor ?

4. Ask Students: "If you were Harriet Tubman journeying from Maryland to Canada, what things would you need to know and do to have a successful journey?" Work in pairs to accomplish this task. Chart information gathered by students.

5. Using MacUSA students may create maps showing the route of the Underground Railroad from Maryland to Canada. If this program is unavailable, students draw maps. Be sure to include a compass rose and a key/legend.

Extension

• During this time period, slaves had a custom of hanging quilts over the roofs of their houses for good luck and visual clarity. Students can create a quilt using the attached A.I.M.S. activity or by using KidPix Software.

Technology Link

• MacUSA (PC Globe Inc., 199 ). Paint states that were part of the Union and the Confederacy by using Regional Maps/Civil War.
• KID PIX STUDIO, Broderbund 1991
• KIDPIX Multicultural Activity Book by Barbara Chan (Addison Wesley. 1994). Create a quilt as shown on page 20.

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© 1996 MCPS Department of Academic Programs, Division of Enriched and Innovative Instruction,Program of Assessment, Diagnosis, and Instruction