Underground Railroad Journey Maps
Exploring Routes to Freedom Grade 4 Social Studies Journey to Freedom Unit - Lesson 4
I Can Statement & Success Criteria
I can explain how the Underground Railroad helped enslaved people escape to freedom I can identify key routes and safe houses on Underground Railroad maps I can describe the dangers and challenges faced by freedom seekers Success: I will create my own simple journey map showing a route to freedom
Underground Railroad Routes Map
Safe vs. Dangerous Places
{"left":"Safe Houses: Quaker homes, churches, barns, cellars\nFree States: Pennsylvania, New York, Massachusetts\nCanada: Complete freedom and safety\nFriendly Communities: Anti-slavery towns","right":"Dangerous Areas: Slave-catching regions\nBounty Hunters: People paid to catch runaways\nSouthern States: Where slavery was legal\nBorder Areas: Extra patrols and checkpoints"}
Famous Conductors and Their Routes
Harriet Tubman: Led 19 trips, rescued about 70 people William Still: Helped over 800 freedom seekers in Philadelphia Levi Coffin: Assisted more than 3,000 people in Indiana and Ohio John Fairfield: Disguised himself to lead groups to safety
Create Your Journey Map Activity
Step 1: Choose a starting point in a slave state Step 2: Plan your route using rivers and mountains Step 3: Mark 3-4 safe houses along the way Step 4: Show your final destination (free state or Canada) Include symbols for dangers and helpers
Think and Discuss
What would be the biggest challenge for someone escaping on the Underground Railroad? How did conductors communicate safely with each other? Why was the North Star so important to freedom seekers? What qualities made someone a good conductor?
What We Learned Today
The Underground Railroad was a network of secret routes to freedom Brave conductors like Harriet Tubman risked their lives to help others Journey maps helped plan safe routes avoiding dangerous areas Many people worked together to help freedom seekers reach safety These heroes showed incredible courage and determination