Major Theme:

Slavery, freedom, and sacrifice

 

Summary:

This story tells of the route to freedom for many slaves. The "Drinking Gourd" was a code name for the Big Dipper.  Travelers used the stars to move by night and rest by day.

 

Question #1

Question #2

Question #3

What is the "Drinking Gourd"?

Why would finding the stars and following them help someone travel by night?

Why didn't the slaves travel during the daylight hours?

Question #4

When Molly, James, Isaiah, Old Hattie, and Young George crossed the stream, the dogs lost their scent.  Explain why.

Question #5

Who brought the travelers food in the woods?

Question #6

Question #7

Question #8

Question #9

What did he bring them?

Explain if this was a dangerous thing to do or not.

What was the name of the secret track leading north to Canada?

What was the signal sound?

Question #10

Why do you suppose everyone involved with the Underground Railroad took such a chance to help gain freedom?

Question #11

Question #12

Question #13

What would you for to help keep or gain your freedom?

 

Question #14

Question #15

Question #16

Question #17

Question #18

Extension #1

Extension #2

Extension #3

Use squash or gourds to create "people."  Draw faces to create a village of people

Draw a picture of a starry night.  Emphasize the Big Dipper, Little Dipper, and the North Star (Polaris) in your picture.  Add a story to inform about these constellations.

The lyrics to "Follow the Drinking Gourd" gave specific instructions to slaves who were running away.  Write you own lyrics to tell a story or give instructions.  -Tell a friend where to meet you, how to get there, what you will do.
-Tell your parents what you want for dinner, where you want to eat, what time dinner is.  -Tell someone where you hid something, tell what it is, explain how to find it.
 

Extension #4

Choose a scene from the story.  Write a paragraph explaining how the characters felt.

 

Extension #5