Introduction
Introduction:
We have read Henry’s Freedom Box in class. This book discussed the incredible life of Henry “Box” Brown and his heroic escape from a life of slavery.
In this WebQuest, we will learn more about the life Henry “Box” Brown. You will also learn about the life of a slave and compare and contrast their lives to our lives today.
Task
Task
You will complete five steps which include completing your journal. Each step has a writing assignment that will help you compare your life with the lives of the slaves.
Process
Process:
STEP 1
Henry's Freedom Box Read Aloud
Reflect on what you think you know, questions you still have, facts you have learned and connections you have made.
Complete Slavery and Underground Railroad Thinking Chart.
STEP 2
Complete “I Can’t Imagine Life Without” worksheet.
Complete Plantation Life worksheet
Read the last four paragraphs of the article found here: A Slave's Possessions.
In your journal, use a Venn Diagram to compare and contrast the items that you “Can’t Imagine Life Without” and possessions that a slave had.
STEP 3
Family
Henry was happy at home with his family. Draw a picture of Henry’s family: Henry, his wife, his three children.
Draw a picture of your family.
In your journal, answer the following questions:
- How would you feel if your wife and children were taken away from you?
- Was this fair or unfair for Henry? Why or why not?
STEP 4
Louisa County on State of Virginia Map
Label both states on the map in your journal. Color Virginia Blue and Pennsylvania green.
Follow this link for google maps. google maps
Click on the blue diamond with white arrow for directions.
Enter Louisa County Virginia as your starting point.
Enter Pittsburg, Pennsylvania as your destination.
Hit enter. At the bottom of your map, record how many miles Henry travelled in the box. Note that this amount is an estimate because Henry did not take an all land route.
In your journal, answer the following questions:
- How Far Did Henry Travel In The Mail?
- Why did Henry come up with the plan to mail himself?
- Why did he and his friends choose Philadelphia?
- Would you like to travel in a box through the mail? Why or why not?
STEP 5
Listen to Henry's Freedom Box Read Aloud again.
Write a birthday poem on the form provided. The poem can be about anything you want to say about birthdays.
Here are some examples:
- My favorite birthday gift
- What I wish for when I blow out the candles
- The best birthday party ever! (Mine or someone else’s)
- If I could do anything on my birthday, it would be…
- Or anything else you can think of related to birthdays
In your journal, answer the following questions.
- Why did Henry choose March 30, 1849 as his birthday?
- Why didn’t Henry have a birthday?
- How is his birthday different from your birthday?
- How was a slave’s birthday different from one of your birthday celebrations?
Evaluation
Henry's Freedom Box
Name _______________________________________ Grade _______________________
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5 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
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Presentation |
90% - 100% of lesson is complete. Handwriting is neat. |
80% - 89% of lesson is complete. Handwriting is neat. |
70% - 79% of lesson is complete. Handwriting is neat. |
60% - 69% of lesson is complete. Handwriting is neat. |
59% or below of lesson is complete. Handwriting is neat. |
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Journal Entries |
90% - 100% of journal entries are complete and answers are well thought out. |
80% - 89% of journal entries are complete and answers are well thought out. |
70% - 79% of journal entries are complete and answers are well thought out. |
60% - 69% of journal entries are complete and answers are well thought out. |
59% or below of journal entries are complete and answers are well thought out. |
|
Tasks |
90% - 100% of tasks are complete and all directions were followed. Content is 90% - 100%correct. |
80% - 89% of tasks are complete and all directions were followed. Content is 80% - 89%correct. |
70% - 79% of tasks are complete and all directions were followed. Content is 70% - 79% correct. |
60% - 69% of tasks are complete and all directions were followed. Content is 60% - 69% correct. |
59% or below of tasks are complete and all directions were followed. Content is 59% or below correct. |
|
Sentences structure and punctuation |
90% - 100% of sentences are complete and punctuation is correct. |
80% - 89% of sentences are complete and punctuation is correct. |
70% - 79% of sentences are complete and punctuation is correct. |
60% - 69% of sentences are complete and punctuation is correct. |
59% or below of sentences are complete and punctuation is correct. |
|
Spelling |
90% - 100% of work is free from spelling errors. |
80% - 89% of work is free from spelling errors. |
70% - 79% of work is free from spelling errors. |
60% - 69% of work is free from spelling errors. |
59% or below of work is free from spelling errors. |
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Totals |
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Conclusion
Conclusion
Great job! You have worked very hard on this WebQuest and answered some very difficult questions.
Here are some additional links if you would like to learn more about Henry “Box” Brown.
Life and Daring Escape of Henry Box Brown
There are also many great book about the Underground Railroad in our school library and community library.
Congratulations on a job well done!
Credits
Credits:
Henry’s Freedom Box Read Aloud - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGK04B_Zof0
The Underground Railroad: Escape From Slavery http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/bhistory/underground_railroad/plantation.htm
The Lives of African-American Slaves in Carolina During the 18th Century http://www.sciway.net/hist/chicora/slavery18-3.html
Henry “Box” Brown http://www.pbs.org/black-culture/shows/list/underground-railroad/stories-freedom/henry-box-brown/
Henry Box Brown Facts and Biography http://www.facts-about.org.uk/famous-people-facts-starting-with-h/henry-box-brown.htm
Freedom by Express: The Life and Daring Escape of Henry Box Brown http://www.readex.com/blog/freedom-express-life-and-daring-escape-henry-box-brown
Virginia County Map – Virginia Map http://www.digital-topo-maps.com/county-map/virginia.shtml
Explore All Fifty U. S. States http://www.factmonster.com/states.html
Google Maps https://www.google.com/maps/@41.8337329,-87.7319639,11z
Slavery and Underground Railroad Thinking Chart http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/contributor/collateral_resources/pdf/h/Henry_Thinking_Chart.pdf
WRITE ABOUT IT On the Plantation: Life as a Slave http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/bhistory/underground_railroad/pdfs/printable_plantation.pdf
Musings from Middle School http://musingsfromthemiddleschool.blogspot.com/2015/08/teaching-writing-4-1-1-video-post.html
Blank Map of US http://www.theus50.com/fastfacts/outlinemaps-state.php
Birthday Cake Poem http://www.EnchantedLearning.com/poetry/shapepoems/cake.shtml
Teacher Page
by Tracy Ladyman, Missouri Baptist University
This WebQuest focuses on the lives of slaves and comparing their lives to students’ lives through a series of journal entries. In addition to journal entries, students’ complete different writing exercises including writing a poem, drawing pictures of how they imagine different aspects of a slaves lives and their own lives, and displaying comprehension of websites they have visited on the subject. They also complete compare/contrast exercises and fill out a thinking chart.