Lesson Plan Title : Making an Underground Railroad Safe House

Age Range: Grade 3 through Grade 5 (Elementary)

Overview and Purpose: In this lesson, students make a safe house similar to the ones used in the Underground Railroad.

Objective: The student will be able to work with the class to build a typical safe house that was used during the time of the Underground Railroad.

Resources:

Information about the Underground Railroad

Pictures of Underground Railroad safe houses

Refrigerator or other large box

Paint

Other materials needed to make the safe house

Activities:

As you teach the students about the Underground Railroad, show them pictures of where runaway slaves would hide as they made the trip north. Have students work together as a class to make a safe house. They can use a variety of materials to make the room as authentic as possible.

Wrap Up:

Students can also complete this activity in small groups. They can make a historical safe house or a modern one for their classroom. If they make a modern one, they should make it as inconspicuous as possible and challenge students or teachers from other classes to find it.