PROJECT 1: A UNIT ON SLAVERY
By Dorothy V. Matheson
CHILDREN'S LITERATURE
The Allen Parker Slave Narrative
retrieved March 1, 2001 from the World Wide Web: http://core.ecu.edu/hist/cecelskid/
In this narrative, Allen Parker tells the story of his years as a slave in North Carolina. He tells, in detail, how he endured being auctioned as a slave and escaping slavery. He also describes the following in detail: mammies, pattierollers, switching of masters, coon hunting, clothing and jobs/chores of slaves, superstitions, marriages between slaves, and Christmas, among many more topics.
Erikson, Paul (1997). Daily Life on a Southern Plantation 1853.
New York, New York: Lodestar Books.
In this detailed picture/informational book, you will meet the Hendersons, who live on a Southern plantation with their children in 1853. You will also meet slaves who work in the Big House and in the cotton fields. Photographs and oral history detail a typical day on a plantation. You will see the bedrooms and dining room of the plantation house, as well as the simple slave quarters and cabins. Readers will learn about mealtimes, leisure hours, doctors and disease, and bedtimes. They will also learn about attitudes toward slavery, slave meetings in the woods, and much more.
Hurmence, Belinda (1982). A Girl Called Boy.
New York, New York: Clarion Books.
In this chapter book, you will meet a pampered young African-American girl who finds herself mysteriously transported back in time to the days of slavery in North Carolina.
Winter, Jeanette (1998). Follow the Drinking Gourd.
New York, New York: Dragonfly Books.
In this picture book, slaves sing the song, "Follow the Drinking Gourd" as they travel to freedom. The song is actually a code for the map to freedom, for hidden in the lyrics were directions to the escape route known as the Underground Railroad. Winter tells the story of one brave family who followed the drinking gourd North to freedom.
GO TO PROJECT
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7
For additional information or comments about these Learning Activities, contact:
Dr. Joy N. Stapleton, Assistant Professor, Department of Curriculum and Instruction: Elementary and Middle Grades Education, School of Education, East Carolina University.
