Rationale for

Instruction
Learning
Objectives

NCSS
Theme/Next
Generation
Sunshine State
Standards/Com
mon Core
Standards
(LAFS/MAFS)
Student
Activities and
Procedures

Resources/Mat
erials

Assessment

Exceptionalitie
s

For students to comprehend the terrors and mistreatment

enslaved people during the Civil War faced. Develop compassion
for individuals, learn respect, learn right from wrong.
-Students will understand the hardships that slaves went
through to find freedom
-Students will engage in role play to better theorize the fear, and
danger that escaped slaves faced.
-Students will gain an overall knowledge of slavery in the U.S.
-Students will learn the meaning of the Emancipation
Proclamation
SS.5.C.2.5: Identify ways good citizens go beyond basic civic and
political responsibilities to improve government and society.
LAFS.5.RL.2.4
Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used
in a text, including figurative language such as metaphors and
similes.
LAFS.5.RL.2.6
Describe how a narrators or speakers point of view influences
how events are described.
Anticipatory Set:
Provoking Questions
-What do you know about slavery?
-What do you know about the Underground Railroad? (5 min)
Instructional Input and Procedures:
-I will read aloud Henrys Freedom Box: A True Story From the
Underground Railroad (10 min)
-Students will view a powerpoint of images of slaves and listen
to examples of slave songs. (5 min)
-Students will be put into small groups to engage in a role play
activity. Students will choose from a baggie that each group is
given with different characters to play: There will be two railroad
conductors, the first safe house and then the final one before
freedom. The other group members will be the escaped slaves.
Students will create their characters background story and
decide on the locations of the safe house. (20 min)
-After this activity we will discuss as a class the experience.
Guiding Questions? (5 min)
-How did you feel during the activity?
-Could you imagine experiencing this in real life?
Henry's Freedom Box: A True Story from the Underground
Railroad
Book by Ellen Levine
Emancipation Proclamation
http://www.civilwar.org/education/history/primarysources/emanci
pation.html
http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/featured_documents/emancipat
ion_proclamation/
Imagine you are now an elderly person who was once a slave
but was lucky enough to escape and find freedom. Tell your
grandchildren your story.
(Students will write a short excerpt of their characters
experience).
The book has vivid images which will aid student
comprehension. ESOL students will be assigned groups with
their buddy. The character cards have an image on them so
the student will understand the role they are to play.

Group Members/Group Name: Emily Yurasek

Thematic Unit Theme/Title/Grade Level: The Civil War 5th Grade
Daily Lesson Plan Day/Title: Slavery
Lesson Length: 45 minute lesson