Every year we honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Rosa Parks for the important work they did and continue to do in the area of civil rights. We discuss the living conditions of African Americans in the United States in the 1950’s, the bus boycott of the 1960’s, and Mr. King’s inspirational “I Have a Dream” Speech. The children use that speech to form their own dreams, which are then framed in Dream Flags and hung festively in the second grade hallway.

The children also read a book entitled Teammates. This is a story of Jackie Robinson’s early experiences as the first African American professional in major league baseball. The children write responses to that book, reflecting their thoughts and feelings about racial prejudice.

Our study of Black History leads us to explore the issue of slavery and the Underground Railroad. I read the following books to the class: A Picture Book of Harriet Tubman by David A. Adler, Follow the Drinking Gourd by Jeanette Winter, and Aunt Harriet’s Underground Railroad in the Sky by Faith Ringgold. The children were captivated by the notion of slaves running to freedom, the danger of bounty hunters and dogs, messages hidden in songs and quilts, and kind people who led and harbored runaway slaves.

This year we explored specifically the quilts that were used to encourage and inform slaves about the possibility of freedom. Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt by Deborah Hopkinson taught us about maps that were stitched into quilts and hung out on fences to dry. The Secret to Freedom by Marcia Vaughan taught us about specific patterns “that were used to transmit important information to slaves planning to escape on the Underground Railroad.”

The patterns are as follows:

Monkey wrench- alerted slaves to gather the tools and supplies they would need when they escaped.
Wagon wheel- told slaves to pack their belongings and provisions to help them survive their journey.
Tumbling blocks- announced that it was time to escape.
Bear’s paw- instructed runaways to follow the bear tracks through the mountains, staying away from roads.
Crossroads- directed escaping slaves to travel to Cleveland, Ohio, the major crossroads to Canada.
Log cabin- indicated stations where runaways were hidden along the way.
Shoofly- referred to the conductors who guided slaves north on the Underground Railroad.
Bow tie- told slaves to dress in better clothing and disguises so they would not stand out.
Flying geese- instructed runaways to follow the migrating geese north in the spring.
Drunkard’s path- told escaping slaves to move in a crooked or zigzag path, avoiding major roads.
Star- advised runaways to use the stars and constellations as a map to locating the North Star, a guiding light to freedom.

Each student used the patterns in The Secret to Freedom to create a quilt square

 

Star by AJ

Bowtie by Chet

Monkey Wrench by Robert

Wagon Wheel by Jenna

Bowties by Allie

Bear's Paw by Jake

Crossroads by Olivia

Star by Patrick

Flying Geese by Natan

Wagon Wheel by Claudia

Log Cabin by Nicole

Log Cabin by Kathryn

Crossroads by Lexy

Drunkard's Path by Matt

Star by Kayla

Star by Jeremy

Wagon Wheel by Meg

Crossroads by Rachel

 

This project designed and implemented by Paul Savering, Second grade teacher for Germantown Academy. Web page design and technical assistance furnished by Carol Siwinski, Curricular Technology Specialist.

April, 2005