Harriet Tubman: Secret Agent 

How Daring Slaves and Free Blacks Spied for the Union During the Civil War

Author: Thomas B. Allen

Illustrator: Carla Bauer

Publisher: National Geographic Society, copy write 2006

Page Count: 167

Lexile Level: 1120L

Overview: 

"It's 1863. Harriet Tubman is facing one of the biggest—and most dangerous— challenges of her life. She has survived her master's lash, escaped from slavery, and risked her life countless times to lead runaway slaves to freedom along the Underground Railroad. Now she has a new role—that of Union spy! The outcome of a secret night raid deep into Confederate territory depends on the accuracy of the intelligence she and other black spies have gathered. Success will mean freedom for hundreds of slaves. Failure will mean death by hanging." --Barnes and Noble 

Suggested Delivery: Read Aloud

Words or Phrases to Describe the Book:

1. Informative

2. Engaging

3. Easy to follow

4. Detailed illustrations 

5. Structured glossary and timeline

Electronic Resources:

1. The Underground Railroad: The Journey!

http://education.nationalgeographic.com/education/multimedia/interactive/the-underground-railroad/?ar_a=1

National Geographic created a virtual journey of a slave escaping to freedom.  The program allows students to make decisions along the journey about who to follow, continuing to freedom or turning around, and other vital decisions along the way. 

2.Slide Shows

http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/bhistory/underground_railroad/slideshows.htm

This website has four slide shows of pictures which explain the Underground Railroad and Civil War.  

Key Vocabulary: 

1. Abolish

2. Plantation

3. Fugitive

4. Crusade

5. Slavery

6. Smuggle

7. Heroic

Reading Strategies:

Before: In order to understand the text, students will need to have an understanding of the vocabulary in the text.  Students should be instructed to use classroom dictionaries to look up definitions of the vocabulary words.  Teachers can lead a classroom discussion of the definitions the students found for the vocabulary words in order to be sure the students developed an accurate understanding of the words.   

During: Since this book is a read aloud, students can create a reading journal in which they write down any questions, thoughts, and inferences about the text each day after the teacher reads a section of the book.  Everyday, prior to reading another section of the book, the class can have a discussion regarding the thoughts each student recorded in their journals.  This will help clarify the information for the students, as well as refreshing their memories about the events in the story before reading each day.  

After: When this story is finished, students can work in small groups to create a short skit in which some of the ideas and events of the Underground Railroad are portrayed.  This can be a creative assignment to allow students of all learning styles to be able to demonstrate their knowledge.  

Writing Activity:

Imagine you are helping Harriet Tubman on the Underground Railroad.  Write a two page diary entry explaining your thoughts, fears, and adventures as you help lead slaves to freedom.  

Resources:

Allen, T. B., & Bauer, C. (2006). Harriet Tubman, secret agent: how daring slaves and free blacks spied for the Union during the Civil War. Washington, D.C.: National Geographic.

 Barnes and Noble, . (n.d.). In Harriet Tubman, secret agent: how daring slaves and free blacks spied for the Union during the Civil War. Retrieved June 9, 2012, from http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/harriet-tubman-secret-agent-thomas-b-allen/1102578143

Scholastic. In Harriet Tubman: Secret agent. Retrieved June 9, 2012, from http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/book/harriet-tubman-secret-agent