Student Activities for Underground to Canada By Barbara Smucker
Essential Questions for Underground to Canada
- What was the Underground Railroad?
- What are some of the ways that Julilly exhibited bravery throughout the novel?
- What are some of the challenges that Julilly and the others faced?
Underground to Canada Summary
Twelve year old Julilly was born a slave. Along with her beloved mother, she lived on the Hensen Plantation, which, by all accounts, was a “good” place to be. When news hits the plantation that a slave trader is heading their way, and that many will be sold and moved to the South, panic fills Julilly and her mother, Mamma Sally. Ripped from her mother’s arms along with many other children, Julilly is put on a wagon and is taken away. Fear and sadness sweeps over Julilly as she comforts the younger children, and watches as three men that she knew, once strong and tall, become helpless and hopeless as chains are wrapped around their wrists and ankles.
After a long and miserable journey, they arrive in Mississippi, where Julilly and the others are to live on the Riley Plantation, a place that was nothing like Henen’s in Virginia. In her tiny and decrepit cabin, Julilly meets a girl her age named Liza, who has been whipped so badly that she permanently walks hunched over and in pain. A man named Alexander Ross arrives at the plantation, saying that he is there to study birds and needs some slaves to help him. However, Mr. Ross is not who he says he is; he is there to help slaves escape. Along with Liza and two of the men she knew, Lester and Adam, Mr. Ross will help Julilly escape to Canada, where she will be free.
Along the way they discover that there are many “stops” to this secret Underground Railway, and many people risk their lives to help slaves escape. Julilly and the others meet people like Jeb Brown and Levi Coffin who open up their homes for a place to rest, clean up, and eat to replenish their energy. With slave catchers looking for them, several close calls, and much ground to cover, Julilly must be brave and have hope that she will soon be free, and even reunited with her momma. Underground to Canada follows Julilly’s long and harrowing journey towards freedom. It is an important addition to any middle school classroom.
In 2008, an introduction was added by Canadian novelist Lawrence Hill. In this introduction, Hill gives readers a brief overview of the Underground Railroad, as well as the ugliness of slavery. Of the horrors of slavery and the offensive language that is used throughout the novel, Hill says, “writers, teachers, and parents do no one a favour by pretending that such things didn’t exist. Much better to acknowledge them, to understand them, and to ensure that our children and grandchildren are better equipped than we are to learn from the monstrous mistakes in our past.” Hill also says that, since this novel is geared towards a young audience, the author holds back from describing the atrocities in detail, but that she does capture the barbaric truth in an appropriate way.
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How Tos about Underground to Canada by Barbara Smucker
Engage students with a hands-on Underground Railroad map project
Introduce a creative mapping activity by guiding students to design their own illustrated map of Julilly’s journey to freedom. This helps students visualize important locations, routes, and safe houses from the novel, reinforcing historical understanding and geographical awareness.
Discuss the purpose and significance of each stop along the route
Ask students to identify and annotate key stops on their map, then lead a discussion about why each location was important for escaping slaves. This builds critical thinking and encourages students to consider the risks and support networks involved in the Underground Railroad.
Connect the map project to Julilly’s character growth
Invite students to mark moments of bravery and challenge on their maps with symbols or brief notes. This step encourages students to reflect on Julilly’s emotional journey and how geography and events shaped her character.
Facilitate a gallery walk to share and compare student maps
Set up a classroom gallery walk where students can display their maps and explain their choices. Foster peer learning by having students ask questions and share insights about each other’s work, promoting collaboration and deeper engagement.
Encourage reflective writing tying the map to personal connections
Have students compose a short paragraph about how mapping Julilly’s journey helped them understand courage and resilience. Encourage them to connect these themes to their own experiences or history lessons, building empathy and personal growth.
Frequently Asked Questions about Underground to Canada by Barbara Smucker
What is Underground to Canada about?
Underground to Canada is a historical fiction novel by Barbara Smucker that follows twelve-year-old Julilly's courageous journey from slavery in the Southern United States to freedom in Canada via the Underground Railroad.
How does Julilly show bravery in Underground to Canada?
Julilly exhibits bravery by comforting others, surviving harsh conditions, planning her escape, and facing dangers on the journey to freedom, inspiring her companions throughout the novel.
What challenges did Julilly and her friends face on their journey?
Julilly and her friends faced separation from family, cruel treatment, difficult travel conditions, constant threats from slave catchers, and the fear of being caught before reaching Canada.
What was the Underground Railroad and how does it relate to the story?
The Underground Railroad was a secret network that helped enslaved people escape to freedom. In the story, Julilly and others use this network and receive help from brave individuals along the way.
Why is Underground to Canada recommended for middle school classrooms?
Underground to Canada is recommended for middle school because it sensitively introduces young readers to the history of slavery, the Underground Railroad, and themes of courage and hope, making it an important educational resource.
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