A theme is a central idea, subject, or message in a story. Many stories have more than one important theme. For this activity, students will identify and illustrate 1 of the themes in Underground to Canada. To differentiate or add a challenge, teachers might ask students to identify more themes, or illustrate several examples of the single theme.
No matter what hardships she had to endure, Julilly did not give up hope that she would make it to Canada, and perhaps even be reunited with her mother.
Slavery is cruel. At a very young age, Julilly witnesses acts of cruelty towards those that she cares about.
By making the decision to escape, Julilly displays a great deal of bravery. This bravery is evident throughout her entire journey.
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Due Date:
Objective: Create a storyboard that identifies one recurring theme in Underground to Canada. Illustrate an instance of that theme and write a short description.
Student Instructions:
Engage students by starting with open-ended questions about the story’s main ideas. Encourage everyone to share examples from the book that support each theme. Model active listening and build on students’ responses to deepen understanding.
Write a list of thoughtful questions related to the book’s themes, such as “What does perseverance look like for Julilly?” or “How do characters show bravery?” These prompts help keep the conversation focused and meaningful.
Divide your class into small groups and give each group a theme to discuss. This encourages participation and lets quieter students share ideas in a more comfortable setting.
Ask students to find and share specific passages or events from the story that illustrate their chosen theme. This builds analytical skills and strengthens their arguments.
Have students summarize what they learned about the themes by completing a short written reflection or exit ticket. This reinforces understanding and gives you insight into each student’s thinking.
Underground to Canada explores themes like perseverance, cruelty of slavery, and bravery. The story highlights how Julilly faces hardships, witnesses injustice, and shows courage on her journey to freedom.
To teach themes from Underground to Canada, have students identify a central theme, illustrate a related scene, and write a short description. You can differentiate by asking students to find multiple themes or examples, making the lesson engaging and accessible.
An example of perseverance in the novel is Julilly's determination to reach Canada, despite facing overwhelming hardships and dangers. Her hope and refusal to give up inspire others around her.
The theme of bravery is central because Julilly's courageous decisions drive the story. Her bravery not only helps her escape slavery but also encourages her companions to strive for freedom.
Effective activities include creating storyboards of key themes, illustrating scenes, and writing short descriptions. These tasks help students connect personally with the novel's messages and develop analytical skills.