LEARN NC

K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

Escaping slavery: “Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt”

http://www.readwritethink.org/lessons/lesson_view.asp?id=127

A lesson plan for Grades 3–5 English Language Arts

Provider: IRA/NCTE

About this resource

Appropriate grades
3–5
Subjects
English language arts (literature, reading), thinking skills (critical literacy)
Provider
IRA/NCTE

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This lesson, from ReadWriteThink, uses the picture book Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt by Deborah Hopkinson and an interactive website to enhance students' understanding of the Underground Railroad and slavery. The teacher introduces the book by engaging students in a pre-reading discussion about quilt making and having them predict what might happen in the book based on the cover art. After students have read the first 12 pages of the book, they check their predictions for accuracy, and then the class completes a graphic organizer about the problems, solutions, and events in the book. Once the teacher has explained the Underground Railroad to students, they work in pairs to discuss information they already know about the historical event. The teacher then shows students an interactive video from National Geographic and challenges students to write about new information they learned. Before students complete the reading of the book, they evaluate why having knowledge about map reading and directions would have been important to the runaway slaves. Students make predictions in their journals about the end of the book and then share with the class. Working independently, students complete the graphic organizer for the last part of the book and the class discusses the events in the conclusion of the text. As a final activity, students create maps similar to the main character’s, showing the route they take from home to school. Once they have completed their maps, they share with the class. Readwritethink provides a graphic organizer for charting problems and solutions, and links to an online atlas and information about the Underground Railroad. This lesson suggests extension activities and provides opportunities for student self-reflection.

North Carolina Curriculum Alignment

English Language Arts (2004)

Grade 3

  • Goal 2: The learner will apply strategies and skills to comprehend text that is read, heard, and viewed.
    • Objective 2.02: Interact with the text before, during, and after reading, listening, or viewing by:
      • setting a purpose.
      • previewing the text.
      • making predictions.
      • asking questions.
      • locating information for specific purposes.
      • making connections.
      • using story structure and text organization to comprehend.
    • Objective 2.03: Read a variety of texts, including:
      • fiction (short stories, novels, fantasies, fairy tales, fables).
      • nonfiction (biographies, letters, articles, procedures and instructions, charts, maps).
      • poetry (proverbs, riddles, limericks, simple poems).
      • drama (skits, plays).
    • Objective 2.04: Identify and interpret elements of fiction and nonfiction and support by referencing the text to determine the:
      • author's purpose.
      • plot.
      • conflict.
      • sequence.
      • resolution.
      • lesson and/or message.
      • main idea and supporting details.
      • cause and effect.
      • fact and opinion.
      • point of view (author and character).
      • author's use of figurative language (e.g., simile, metaphor, imagery).
    • Objective 2.05: Draw conclusions, make generalizations, and gather support by referencing the text.
    • Objective 2.07: Explain choice of reading materials congruent with purposes (e.g., solving problems, making decisions).

Grade 4

  • Goal 2: The learner will apply strategies and skills to comprehend text that is read, heard, and viewed.
    • Objective 2.02: Interact with the text before, during, and after reading, listening, and viewing by:
      • setting a purpose using prior knowledge and text information.
      • making predictions.
      • formulating questions.
      • locating relevant information.
      • making connections with previous experiences, information, and ideas.
    • Objective 2.03: Read a variety of texts, including:
      • fiction (legends, novels, folklore, science fiction).
      • nonfiction (autobiographies, informational books, diaries, journals).
      • poetry (concrete, haiku).
      • drama (skits, plays).
    • Objective 2.04: Identify and interpret elements of fiction and nonfiction and support by referencing the text to determine the:
      • plot.
      • theme.
      • main idea and supporting details.
      • author's choice of words.
      • mood.
      • author's use of figurative language.
    • Objective 2.05: Make inferences, draw conclusions, make generalizations, and support by referencing the text.
    • Objective 2.06: Summarize major points from fiction and nonfiction text(s) to clarify and retain information and ideas.
    • Objective 2.07: Determine usefulness of information and ideas consistent with purpose.

Grade 5

  • Goal 2: The learner will apply strategies and skills to comprehend text that is read, heard, and viewed.
    • Objective 2.02: Interact with the text before, during, and after reading, listening, and viewing by:
      • making predictions.
      • formulating questions.
      • supporting answers from textual information, previous experience, and/or other sources.
      • drawing on personal, literary, and cultural understandings.
      • seeking additional information.
      • making connections with previous experiences, information, and ideas.
    • Objective 2.03: Read a variety of texts, such as:
      • fiction (tall tales, myths).
      • nonfiction (books of true experience, newspaper and magazine articles, schedules).
      • poetry (narrative, lyric, and cinquains).
      • drama (plays and skits).
    • Objective 2.05: Evaluate inferences, conclusions, and generalizations and provide evidence by referencing the text(s).
    • Objective 2.06: Analyze choice of reading materials congruent with purposes (e.g., reading for information, reading to extend content area learning, reading for pleasure, entertainment).
    • Objective 2.08: Explain and evaluate relationships that are:
      • causal.
      • hierarchical.
      • temporal.
      • problem-solution.