There are many different ways to look at the underground railroad and the importance it played in our country’s history. Rooted in the shame of slavery, it is a shining example of how people can come together to help one another. With Black History Month starting on February 1st, talking about the Underground Railroad with your students is a great way to emphasize the determination and dedication to doing the right thing that so many Americans had during that time. The resources below can help you get started.
Resources for Teaching About the Underground Railroad
- Aboard the Underground Railroad by the National Park Service: This site has a large list of books, resources, and links to important sites associated with the Underground Railroad.
- Underground Railroad by the History Channel: From photo galleries to videos of Harriet Tubman and more, this site has a wealth of free information.
- The Underground Railroad by National Geographic Education: National Geographic has put together an interactive presentation called The Journey which leads students through being a slave and journeying on the Underground Railroad. They also have a timeline and information about important people who helped facilitate the Underground Railroad.
- The Underground Railroad in the Ohio River Valley Game by Ronald Morris, Ph.D., and Paul Gestwicki, Ph.D., of Ball State University: Designed for teachers and students, with the ability for parents to share it with their children at home, this online game takes students through the trials and tribulations of traveling the Underground Railroad. The game’s site also includes a complete curriculum that can be download for free.
- Owen Sound’s Black History: This site has some great resources on the secret codes that were in quilts, as well as the symbols and songs that were created to communicate with those traveling the Underground Railroad.
- Underground Railroad on BrainPOP: BrainPOP has a lot of great, kid-friendly videos that explain everything from who Martin Luther King Jr. was to how the Underground Railroad worked.
What are some of your favorite resources for the Underground Railroad? Share them with us!