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by: Deborah Hopkinson paintings by: James Ransome |
| Materials:
Copy of Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt A computer with internet connection A printer Pencil Scissors Crayons/Markers/Colored Pencils Paper |
| Before Reading:
In the story you will find out that Clara is a slave. You may be asking, "what is a slave?", or "what is slavery?" This site will help you understand slavery. Click on the map to find out how slavery got started in each of the countries. Click here to see what life was like in the day of a slave. This is where the slaves slept. In the story the slaves talk
about escaping their houses by use of the underground railroad. Go
to this site and click on Escape
to Freedom. You will learn about the underground railroad, how
it helped the slaves, and why it was built. While looking at the
site, ask yourself, "was it safe?" After learing about the underground
railroad, go to this site to find out if it was safe
or unsafe.
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| During Reading:
While reading the story you may come across words that you don't know. Click on words to know to find the meanings of the words. Print off the graphic organizer and use it as you read. You will be finding the parts of the plot in the story. If you need a reminder on the parts of a plot go here. |
| After Reading:
When you are done reading the book, try answering the questions at this site to see how well you do. If you were Clara and you wanted to write Aunt Rachel what would you say? Would you describe the freedom? Include in your letter, what you had to go through while traveling to freedom. What would Aunt Rachel to tell the other slaves that were left behind? While you read the story, you find that Clara learned how to quilt. Click here to learn more about quilts. The quilts had hidden codes stitched within. Go see what the code messages looked liked in the quilts, and what each stood for to the slaves. |
| Beyond What you Read:
Slavery was very hard for many African Americans. Do you think you would try to escape? Would you make it? Try taking this trip through the Underground Railroad to see if you would make it or not. During this time many people made quilts. Some made them for the purpose of designing a map, while others made them for money. If you were given the opportunity to make one square of a quilt, how would be your design? Print off this quilt square. Draw what you would design in your square. When you are done, write a paragraph telling why you drew what is on your quilt square. |
| About What you Read:
Print off the rubric to make sure that you completed all of the activities included in the lesson. |
