Activity Title %22A Letter Home Life After Freedom%22
.pdf
School
HORTON HIGH SCHOOL**We aren't endorsed by this school
Course
ENGLISH 11B
Subject
History
Date
Dec 18, 2024
Pages
2
Uploaded by AgentTitanium15956
Activity Title: "A Letter Home: Life After Freedom"Objectives●To develop historical empathy and understand the experiences of freed slaves inNorthern U.S. and Southern Canada.●To explore the emotional and cultural challenges faced by newly freed individuals andtheir families left behind.Activity OverviewStudents will write a letter from the perspective of a newly freed slave who has reachedfreedom via the Underground Railroad and now resides in the Northern U.S. or SouthernCanada. They will address the letter to family members still living on a plantation in the South.Instructions1.Context Setup (15 minutes)○Begin with a brief overview of the journey on the Underground Railroad anddiscuss the challenges and hopes that freed individuals experienced uponarriving in free states or Canada.○Encourage students to imagine what a newly freed person might feel—relief,hope, fear for loved ones left behind, and the desire to reconnect.2.Brainstorm & Discussion (10 minutes)○Facilitate a class brainstorm on themes that could be included in the letter,such as:■Describing the journey and what freedom feels like.■The conditions and opportunities in the Northern states or Canada.■Messages of hope, encouragement, or advice to family still in bondage.3.Writing the Letter (30 minutes)○Students will write a one-page letter from the perspective of a newly freedslave to their family in the South.○Encourage students to include descriptions of:■Their current living conditions.■The freedom to move, work, and live without fear of recapture.■Personal reflections on the journey, emotions, and any words of supportfor family members still in captivity.4.Sharing & Reflection (5 minutes)○Wrap up with a reflection discussion on the emotional complexities of freedomand separation.Assessment-Assess students’ letters for historical accuracy, emotional depth, and ability toempathize with the experiences of newly freed individuals.
