Teaching students about escaping slaves is an essential part of American history education. The harrowing story of the Underground Railroad and the brave souls who helped escaped slaves reach freedom deserves to be told accurately and in depth. This article will outline why teaching about escaping slaves is vital, how to approach the topic, and key concepts that should be included in any lesson plan.
Why Teach About Escaping Slaves?
The history of American slavery is often glossed over in our education system, but the impact it has had on our country’s development cannot be ignored. Teaching students about escaping slaves and the Underground Railroad can provide an additional and necessary perspective on our nation’s history and help broaden students’ understanding of how slavery affected all parts of society.
Additionally, the brave actions of abolitionists who helped slaves escape are a testament to the human spirit and highlight the power of individual agency to fight against injustice. Students can learn critical lessons about the importance of standing up for what is right and taking action to make a difference in the world.
Approaching the Topic
When teaching about escaping slaves and the Underground Railroad, it’s important to approach the topic with sensitivity and care. This can be especially tricky when working with younger students, as the topic can be difficult to grasp and potentially disturbing. However, it’s possible to teach the subject matter in an age-appropriate and respectful way by focusing on the heroic stories of escaped slaves and abolitionists.
Literature can be an excellent tool for telling these stories. Books like “Henry’s Freedom Box” and “Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom” can help bring the experiences of escaped slaves and abolitionists to life. Bringing in primary source materials, such as slave narratives and letters written by abolitionists, can also help students connect directly with the people who lived during this time.
Key Concepts to Teach
When developing a lesson plan about escaping slaves and the Underground Railroad, there are several key concepts that should be included:
- The conditions of slavery in the South: Students should understand the brutal realities of slavery, including the physical abuse and forced labor endured by slaves.
- The role of the Underground Railroad: Students should learn about the clandestine network of abolitionists who helped slaves escape to freedom and the dangers faced by both the escaped slaves and those who assisted them.
- The role of the North: Students should understand the North’s role in the abolitionist movement and how the Fugitive Slave Act made it necessary for abolitionists to take underground action to help slaves escape.
- The impact of the Underground Railroad: Students should understand how the efforts of escaped slaves and abolitionists contributed to the Civil War and the eventual abolition of slavery in America.
Teaching students about escaping slaves is an essential part of American history education. By approaching the topic with care, using literature as a tool, and including key concepts in lesson plans, educators can help students connect with the humanity of this time period and learn from the past.
