Underground Railroad Quilt Codes - Folklore or Fact?

Delve into the historical dilemma of whether codes were used in quilts during the Underground Railroad to assist fugitive slaves. Analyze excerpts from a wide variety of experts who share their knowledge of this important topic! The lesson begins with a warm-up activity about folklore in America. Students share what they know about individuals such as George Washington and the cherry tree, Paul Bunyan and Molly Pitcher. They must determine whether these individuals are from history or from fiction. Students ponder whether it is important if folklore is fact or fiction and if there is any harm in sharing a story that is fiction as fact.

The class reads background information about the code of quilts and answer questions. Next, pairs are given a large envelope with 31 excerpts from authors, historians, public speakers and quilt historians. Pairs must read, analyze and draw conclusions as to whether each excerpt supports the codes as fact, folklore/fiction or neutral. Once the excerpts are sorted, the class shares their placement of the excerpts. A class debrief is completed through a series of questions. Next, individual students determine which excerpts have the strongest evidence for fact and which evidence is strongest for fiction and record this evidence on the graphic organizer. Each student must determine whether they feel codes in quilts existed during the Underground Railroad or not. Then students compose an argumentative essay sharing their viewpoint on this controversial topic.

When you purchase this activity, you will receive:

-Teacher Directions

-Power point to guide instruction

-Warm Up Activity on Folklore as Fact or Fiction

-Background Reading-Folklore in America

-Background Reading-The Code of the Quilts of the Underground Railroad

-Reading Questions-The Code of the Quilts

-31 Excerpts about Codes in Quilts

-Fact, Folklore/Fiction or Neutral Chart to sort excerpts

-Graphic Organizer

-Writing Assignment

-Argumentative Essay

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