Online Field Trips

Pathways to Freedom
During the time of slavery, numerous brave Marylanders guided slaves through to freedom through a unique collection of covert byways and secret hiding places. Take a closer look at Maryland's unique role in the Underground Railroad and gain a greater understanding of its citizens' commitment to liberty and civil rights for all.

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Lesson Plans

African Americans Shape History -- Students will read short biographies about the contributions of famous African Americans and learn that their contributions helped form American culture.

The African-American Experience in Ohio, 1850-1920 -- American Memory -- explores the diversity and complexity of African-American culture in Ohio. These manuscripts, texts, and images focus on themes that include slavery, emancipation, abolition, the Underground Railroad, the Civil War, and Reconstruction.

American Visionaries: Frederick Douglass -- features items owned by the famous abolitionist, human rights and women's rights activist, orator, author, journalist, publisher, and social reformer.

FIND MORE WITH THINKFINITY!

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Student Activities

Counting the Miles To Freedom -- Travel the Underground Railroad with Harriet Tubman as your guide in this NTTI lesson plan that introduces students to the Underground Railroad using two interactive Internet sites.
Subjects: Social Studies
Grades: 4 - 6

Freedom's Song -- Slaves who wanted to escape to freedom in the North often relied on song lyrics to guide them to the "promised land." In this activity, students will use the Secrets: Signs & Symbols interactive to uncover the mystery of coded songs and hidden messages.
Subjects: Language Arts
Grades: 6 - 8

Judge Robert B. Watts -- In this activity students learn about the life and accomplishments of Judge Robert B. Watts, the first African American Judge appointed to the Municipal Court in Baltimore.
Subjects: Language Arts, Social Studies
Grades: 4 - 6

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Video

Dr. Nathan Carter Part 1 (Windows Media)
Dr. Nathan M. Carter, Morgan State University Choir Director and Chairperson of Morgan’s Fine Arts Department, takes an artist’s approach to choral music.

Dr. Nathan Carter Part 2 (Real Video) and (Windows Media)
Dr. Nathan M. Carter is known for his leadership and direction of the Morgan State University Choir. Born in Selma, Alabama, Dr. Carter excelled in education and received a doctorate from Peabody Institute in Baltimore, Maryland.

Duke Ellington (Real Video) and (Windows Media)
A story about the life of Duke Ellington, one of the greatest African-American piano players of all time.

Highland Beach (RealVideo) and (Windows Media)
In this segment, learn how Charles Douglass, son of the great abolitionist Frederick Douglass, founded Highland Beach after he and his wife were turned away from the Bay Ridge Pavilion because of their race in 1893.

Mother Mary Elizabeth Lang
In the early 19th century, Elizabeth Lang, a young refugee from San Dominique, came to Baltimore. In this clip, learn how Lange used her own money to provide education for African American children.

Station on the Underground Railroad: Emmanuel Episcopal Church (RealVideo)
The Emmanuel Episcopal Church, built on the remains of a fort, served as a station on the Underground Railroad. Learn about this and other African American historical sites in this video clip featuring stories of Cumberland, Maryland. (Closed Captioning)

Thurgood Marshall (RealVideo) and (Windows Media)
Thurgood Marshall, a Baltimore native, was a pioneer in the civil rights movement and the first African American to become a U.S. Supreme Court Justice. In this clip, learn about Marshall’s fight for equal rights for all Americans

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