Author: Doreen Rappaport

Freedom River

New York: Hyperion Books for Children; 2000

Jeanae Martin

Book Summary:

This is a true story about John Parker, a freed slave who was also a conductor on the Underground Railroad. This novel retells one of his journeys to help an African American family escape to freedom.

Setting:

Kentucky-Before the Civil War in the 1800s

Links to Learn More:

Slave Station

Underground Railroad Map of the U.S

John Parker's Real House

National Underground Railroad Freedom Center Act

Signal For Slaves

OBJECTIVE: STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO ANALYZE AND INCREASE THEIR

UNDERSTANDING OF THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD AND ITS PURPOSE IN THE 18OOS.

Activity One

This is a map showing routes that slave conductors

took to direct slaves to freedom on the

Underground Railroad. Using construction paper

and markers, draw a map of a place that you take when

you escape to your own freedom. For example,

when I need a little freedom, I might escape to my closet. For my map, I can draw my room with a

route to my closet.

Map showing routes for the Underground Railroad

For More Information

HOW WILL YOU GET TO YOUR FREEDOM?

Activity Two

In the book, John Parker tried to help the slave family of Isaac and Sarah escape to

freedom. Because they were so scared to leave,

they didn’t go with him the first time. Pretend that you are Isaac or Sarah and write

a simulated journal of one paragraph (3- 5 sentences)

of what they might have said the first time they met

John Parker.

WHAT WOULD THEIR JOURNAL SAY?

This is a picture of a slave family that lived in the 1800s. For More Information

Activity ThreeFreedom to the slaves was actually escaping north and

not being in bondage anymore. In your own

words, write about your definition of freedom using

the purpose of the Underground Railroad and the life of slaves to guide

you. Also using construction paper and markers or

crayons, include a picture to give a better understanding of your idea of freedom.

WHAT IS FREEDOM?

Following the Drinking Gourd is a famous coded slave spiritual telling the slaves to follow Polaris to which the Big Dipper points, to go North to freedom.For More Information

• South Carolina Standard 4-6:

The student will demonstrate an understanding of the Civil War and its impact on America • Indicator 4-6.2 :

Summarize the roles and accomplishments of the leaders of the abolitionist movement and the Underground Railroad before and during the civil war, including those of Harriet Tubman, John Brown, Frederick Douglass, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Sojourner Truth, and William Lloyd Garrison.

STANDARD

• The Magee House• Underground Railroad Map

• John Parker's House• Freedom Center Act• Signal for Slaves• Routes Taken• Slave Family

• Drinking Gourd• Library of Congress• Deanna Chambers

SOURCE