The Underground Railroad

Funding and support for the development of this lesson plan is as a result of a grant from Alberta Education to support implementation of the K-12 Social Studies curriculum. Financial and in-kind support was also provided by the Edmonton Regional Learning Consortium (www.erlc.ca).

In this lesson, students use the National Geographic website to participate in an online simulation that traces the journey to freedom on the Underground Railroad. As part of this process, students gather information to explain the history and presence of Black communities throughout Canada. Students will be encouraged to identify possible causes for the development of The Underground Railroad, and various consequences related to its existence. Students will also discuss the historical context of the time period to better understand the existence of slavery and the role of The Underground Railroad in its dissolution.