from Harriet Tubman: Conductor on the Underground Railroad by Ann Petry Introducing the Selection...

from Harriet Tubman:Conductor on the Underground Railroad

by Ann Petry

Introducing the Selection

Literary Skills Focus: Characters in a Biography

Reading Skills Focus: Making Connections

Writing Skills Focus: Think as a Reader/Writer

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by Ann Petry

How much should a person sacrifice for freedom?


by Ann Petry

Click on the title to start the video.



As the fleeing slaves traveled on foot by night, they encountered many difficulties and dangers.

In 1851, Harriet Tubman led a group of eleven slaves to freedom. During the month-long journey, she struggled to avoid capture on the trip from Maryland to Canada.



As you read the selection, think about how the system Tubman used to lead slaves to freedom came to be called the “Underground Railroad.”

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A biography is the story of someone’s life written by another person.

Biographers work hard to make their subjects come to life on the page.

I want my readers to

experience what it’s like to walk in my subject’s shoes, so I use lots of details.

Humanitarian Mother Teresa cares for an orphan in Calcutta.



The biography writer helps us “meet” the people in a biography. We observe

• actions and motivations,

Civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. leads a peace rally.

• interactions with others.

• values, and

President and Mrs. Kennedy greet fans at the Orange Bowl in Florida.



Biographers use details to help us feel we know the people about whom they are writing.

I feel like I know what this

person’s life was really like.

born in a farmhouse in 1823

attended a one-room schoolhouse

married childhood sweetheart at 24

became an award-winning reporter

started a newspaper



You will get to know the characters in a biography even better as you compare and contrast them with

• people you know

• people you have read about in other texts

Marla is as funny as my Aunt Laura.

She seems braver than

other celebrities I’ve

read about.

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Literary Skills Focus: Analyzing Historical Context

To understand people in a biography, also consider its historical context:

• the time in which the author wrote

• the ways in which people saw and thought about the world in which they lived

• the time in which the text is set


Literary Skills Focus: Analyzing Historical Context

As you read this biography of Harriet Tubman, keep in mind that the events take place in the American South before the Civil War.

In that time and place, many African Americans were enslaved.

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Making personal connections to texts help you read for deeper meaning.

As you read, you can make connections between

• the text and yourself

• another text

• the world around you



Into Action: Use a chart like this one to make connections as you read.

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I can connect

Could I risk my life to help other people?

the conflict

Harriet Tubman

to myself

to other texts

to situations in the world

the resolution

article about Thomas Garrett

Find It in Your Reading


Writing Skills Focus: Think as a Reader/Writer

Tubman and the fugitives from Maryland endure hardships along their journey to Canada.

[End of Section]

Record in a notebook the words Petry uses to describe these hardships.

Vocabulary

fugitives n.: people fleeing from danger or oppression.

incentive n.: reason to do something; motivation.

dispel v.: get rid of by driving away.

incomprehensible adj.: impossible to understand.

eloquence n.: ability to write or speak gracefully.


Vocabulary


Vocabulary

Fugitives are people who are trying to escape oppression or danger.

Those who traveled the Underground Railroad were fugitives from the unjust system of slavery.


Vocabulary

The campers became fugitives when

a. they built a campfire.

b. they set up their tent.

c. they ran away from an angry bear.


Vocabulary

The campers became fugitives when

a. they built a campfire.

b. they set up their tent.

c. they ran away from an angry bear.

What hardships might fugitives face while escaping oppression?


Vocabulary

To some adults, teenage activities may seem incomprehensible.

For example, they may find it impossible to understand why teens enjoy certain sports.


Vocabulary

“I don’t get algebra,” complained Michael’s little brother. “It’s incomprehensible!”

a. easy and straightforward.

b. too difficult to understand.

c. useful and valuable.

Michael’s brother thinks algebra is


Vocabulary

a. easy and straightforward.

b. too difficult to understand.

c. useful and valuable.

How do you tackle a subject that seems incomprehensible?

“I don’t get algebra,” complained Michael’s little brother. “It’s incomprehensible!”

Michael’s brother thinks algebra is


Vocabulary

An incentive encourages someone to do something.

Driven by his motivation to earn a new bike, Keith promised to do his chores all summer: The incentive was enough to convince him to put in the extra work.


Vocabulary

a. He wants to be a rock star.

b. He wants to play in the school band.

c. He wants to get his homework done early.

What is most likely Jamal’s incentive for practicing the clarinet every day?


Vocabulary

What is most likely Jamal’s incentive for practicing the clarinet every day?

a. He wants to be a rock star.

b. He wants to play in the school band.

c. He wants to get his homework done early.

What might a student’s incentive to babysit after school be?


Vocabulary

Bravely picking up the lizard, he hoped the hands-on experience would drive away his fear.

Patrick wanted to dispel his fear of reptiles.


Vocabulary

When Alexis heard some nasty gossip about her best friend, she decided to dispel the rumor. Alex decided to ____________.

a. pass along the rumor to someone else

b. refuse to listen to the gossip

c. explain why the rumor isn’t true


Vocabulary

What’s the best way to dispel a feeling of worry?

When Alexis heard some nasty gossip about her best friend, she decided to dispel the rumor. Alex decided to ____________.

a. pass along the rumor to someone else

b. refuse to listen to the gossip

c. explain why the rumor isn’t true


Vocabulary

LeShawn spoke with eloquence at graduation.

His impressive speaking ability brought the audience to its feet.


Vocabulary

Because Mariella is an eloquent writer and speaker, her guidance counselor suggested that she try out for

a. the track team.

b. the band.

c. the debate team.


Vocabulary

Because Mariella is an eloquent writer and speaker, her guidance counselor suggested that she try out for

a. the track team.

b. the band.

c. the debate team.

Name someone who is an eloquent speaker.

[End of Section]

The End

from Harriet Tubman: Conductor on the Underground Railroad by Ann Petry Introducing the Selection...

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