When we go to the library I usually select books to read fairly randomly. Sometimes I have a specific subject in mind, but more often than not I try to come up with ideas for what to do with my children.
Last time at the library I borrowed a book called "An Apple for Harriet Tubman", which describes the life of young Harriet as a slave, and how apples played a role in her quest for freedom.
While reading the story we wanted to find out more about Harriet Tubman's life and found a quiz, and more info at Enchanted Learning.
Then we looked up Underground Railroad, and found this awesome activity on Teacher Scholastic. You can follow a slave on his trip from a plantation to freedom in the North. It is called Underground Railroad - escape from slavery.
You can read or listen to the text, look at pictures/slideshows, and at the end you can even write a coded secret letter. The information is pretty extensive, and we actually had to break it up, because the kids were starting to get a little antsy after a while. But that's the beauty about it. You just stop and come back later.
My daughter was quite upset by some of the things that happened to slaves, and I think it's most definitely one of the most important subjects to teach children. Go check it out.
Thank you for sharing this information. As a teacher-to-be I agree, this is a very important subject to teach. I love how you seem to be so flexible when you teach, that you allow your kids and yourself to start somewhere and follow the path and see where it will take you. That's how you're supposed to be doing it, if you ask me. You should make plans, but be flexible enough to leave them if necessary and fly off somewhere else. Thank you for the inspiration! :) /Johanna
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