Freedom+River+Reinforcing+Activity


 * __"Escaping to Freedom"__**

Start the class off by asking these three questions: Have the students raise their hands to comment or answers these questions.
 * Was Ohio a slave state before the Civil War?
 * How about Kentucky, was it a slave state before the Civil War?

Discuss with the class what it means to be a free state or a slave state. Define each specifically and give characteristics of both. Ask the students, "What types of rules did the slaves have to follow?"

Introduce __Freedom River__ by reading the abstract about John Parker, and show the map of the Kentucky/Ohio border. Since we are so close to the area in which John Parker lived, I think it is very important to emphasize the proximity of our school's location to where the story actually took place.a Ask the students, "Does anybody have any relatives that lived along the Ohio River?" to make the connection more personal.

Proceed with the reading, pausing when necessary to emphasize themes like the underground railroad and free states/slave states.

After the teacher has finished reading the story to the students, students are to complete a fast-write. On a blank sheet of paper, respond to the following questions:


 * What were the experiences of African-Americans under the institution of slavery?
 * Describe how you would feel if you had to experience these same things.
 * Would you have risked your life and the lives of your family members to escape? Why or why not?

After students have taken 5-10 min to respond to the prompt. Facilitate class discussion and come to a class consensus about the different reasons that slaves decided to escape.

Grade 5 Indicator - 3. Describe the experiences of African-Americans under the institution of slavery.