IDEA TEACH

Name: Janet Jenkins

Grade: 4th grade
Concept:
The ideals of freedom today versus what it was like to be a slave during the Civil War with no
freedom.
State Academic Standards:
SS 4.1.7
o Explain the roles of various individuals, groups, and movements in the social conflicts
leading to the Civil War.
LA 4.RN.3.2
o Describe the organizational structure of events, ideas, concepts, or information in a text
or part of a text.
Slavery was a social conflict leading to the Civil War. Students will understand what it means to
be enslaved with no freedoms. Students will complete a T-Chart to compare and contrast living as
a slave and living in todays world.
Objectives:
The students will demonstrate their understanding of what it means to be free for them today by
writing a song or letter.
The students will be able to compare and contrast in a T-chart format freedom today versus
freedom during the Civil War for slaves.
Materials List:
T-Charts
o Some T-Charts with partial entries
Notebook paper
Computer with internet
o Slave
http://www.shaneevans.com/underground/index.html
o Freedom
https://youtu.be/9m0hUCG-RuY
o List the materials/supplies, books, visuals, artifacts, A/V equipment that are needed for
the lesson.
Underground: Finding the Light to Freedom by Shane Evans
Rubrics for evaluation of writing
Engagement & Exploration:
Lights out, students will be quiet, and teacher will play the video for only the sound:
http://www.shaneevans.com/underground/index.html.
Ask rhetorical questions:
o What sounds did you hear? How did the sounds make you feel?
Word Wall
Freedom
Free
Slavery
Enslaved
Bondage

Liberty
Words will be explained during the Explanation portion of the lesson plan.

Explanation:
Procedures:
Freedom
o Handout the T-Charts
o Write the word freedom on the board.
o On your T-Chart write freedom under one of the columns.
o Ask, What is freedom? What does it mean to be free? These are word wall words.
Discuss these words.
o Teacher will direct students to write ideas about freedom on their own in the T-Chart
under the freedom column.
o Show video: https://youtu.be/9m0hUCG-RuY
o After watching the video, list additional items to place under the column freedom.
o Turn and share with neighbor
o Ask a few students to share answers.
o Write answers on board
Slavery
o On your T-chart write slavery under the other column.
o Write the word slavery on the board.
o Ask, What is slavery? What does it mean to be enslaved? These are word wall words.
Discuss these words.
o Teacher will direct students to write ideas about slavery on their own in the T-Chart under
the slavery column.
o Show video: http://www.shaneevans.com/underground/index.html
o After watching the video, list additional items to place under the column slavery.
o Turn and share with neighbor
o Ask a few students to share answers.
o Write answers on board
Students will compare and contrast by using a T-Chart.
Students will then express via writing a song or a newspaper article describing what it is to be free.
Evaluation:
A rubric for student writing of a song or a newspaper article. Student writing will be evaluated on
listing at least 3 ideas as to what it means to be free and 1 item of what freedom means to them
personally.
Students will turn and share with neighbor their written song or newspaper article.
Gearing Up and Down:
Students who are high Ability or above grade level.
o Students will demonstrate understanding by doing a persuasive writing or a letter to the
editor explaining why slavery is wrong and why all Americans should be free.
o Rubric for evaluation of student understanding will be adjusted to 3 supporting reasons
for persuasive writing.
o Students will be allowed to share with the whole class their writing.
Students with IEP, disabilities, below grade level, special needs, etc.
o Hand out T-Chart partly completed with areas where students can complete during
discussion.
o Rubric for evaluation of student demonstration of knowledge will be adjusted to 2 ideas
as to what it means to be free and 1 item of what freedom means to them personally.
o May need to work in groups to help with the writing portion.