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Meet Harriet Tubman: A Brave Hero – Learn about Harriet Tubman – She was a courageous hero – Harriet Tubman led slaves to freedom – Harriet helped many people – She used the Underground Railroad – What do you know about her? | This slide introduces Harriet Tubman to second-grade students as a significant figure in American history. Emphasize Harriet Tubman’s bravery and her role as a hero who led many enslaved people to freedom using the Underground Railroad. Encourage the children to share any prior knowledge they have about Harriet Tubman, fostering a collaborative and interactive learning environment. Use this opportunity to assess the students’ baseline understanding of Harriet Tubman before delving deeper into her life and achievements in subsequent lessons.

Early Life of Harriet Tubman – Born into slavery – Harriet was not free when she was little. – Grew up on a Maryland farm – She lived and worked on a farm in Maryland. – Showed bravery as a child – Harriet was known for being very courageous. – Demonstrated strength early on – Even as a young girl, Harriet was very strong. | This slide introduces students to the early life of Harriet Tubman, an important figure in American history. Emphasize that Harriet was born into difficult circumstances, but even as a child, she showed remarkable bravery and strength. These qualities would later help her become a leader in the fight for freedom. Use this opportunity to discuss the concept of slavery and how it affected the lives of Harriet and many others. Encourage students to think about what it means to be brave and strong in the face of challenges.

The Underground Railroad and Harriet Tubman – The Railroad was not a real train – A secret network to help slaves – Safe houses where slaves hid and rested – Harriet Tubman: A brave leader – Harriet guided many slaves to safety – Escaping to freedom on the ‘railroad’ – The journey was long and dangerous, but led to freedom | This slide introduces the concept of the Underground Railroad to second-grade students, emphasizing that it wasn’t an actual train but a metaphor for the secret routes and safe houses used by escaping slaves. Highlight Harriet Tubman’s role as a leader who courageously guided many to freedom. Explain that ‘railroad’ terms like ‘stations’ and ‘conductors’ were used to keep the network secret. Encourage students to think about what it means to be brave like Harriet Tubman and to understand the importance of helping others. Use simple language and ensure that the concept of slavery is explained in a sensitive and age-appropriate manner.

Harriet Tubman’s Brave Adventures – Harriet’s 19 freedom trips – Harriet Tubman bravely made 19 trips to free slaves. – She never lost a passenger – Amazingly, she kept all her passengers safe every time. – Used tricks to avoid capture – Harriet used smart and sneaky ways to not get caught. – Helped over 300 people – She was a hero to more than 300 slaves she freed. | This slide highlights the incredible bravery and strategic mind of Harriet Tubman, an important figure in American history. Discuss Harriet Tubman’s role in the Underground Railroad and how she led many slaves to freedom. Emphasize her perfect record of never losing a passenger over 19 dangerous journeys. Explain how she used her intelligence and resourcefulness to evade capture, employing various tactics such as disguises and coded messages. Highlight the impact she had by helping over 300 slaves escape to freedom. Use this opportunity to inspire students with her courage and determination, and discuss the importance of helping others and standing up for what is right.

Harriet Tubman’s Legacy – Harriet Tubman: A leader – She led many slaves to freedom – One person’s big impact – Her bravery changed many lives – Tubman fought against slavery – She helped end unfair treatment – A hero in history | Harriet Tubman is celebrated for her courage and leadership in guiding many enslaved people to freedom via the Underground Railroad. Emphasize to students that her actions demonstrate how one individual can have a significant impact on the lives of many and contribute to the greater good. Discuss her role in the abolitionist movement and how she fought against the injustice of slavery. Highlight that her legacy continues to inspire people to fight for justice and equality. Encourage students to think of ways they can make a difference in their own communities.

Class Activity: Be Like Harriet – Break into small groups – Pretend to be Harriet Tubman – Imagine guiding friends to safety – Lead others to freedom – Use teamwork to solve challenges – Work together like Harriet did | This activity is designed to give students a hands-on experience related to Harriet Tubman’s courageous efforts in leading slaves to freedom. By breaking into small groups, students can role-play scenarios where they are Harriet Tubman guiding others through various obstacles to reach the ‘safe house.’ Teachers should prepare a few simple challenges or puzzles for the groups to solve, which will require teamwork and decision-making. Possible activities include a simple maze to navigate, riddles to solve, or a quiet game of ‘stealth’ where they must avoid being ‘seen’ by the teacher. The goal is to foster a sense of empathy and understanding of Harriet Tubman’s bravery and the importance of working together.