Have students use a simple tchart to record 3 character traits henry shows throughout the book. Henrys freedom box is an awardwinning childrens book about an escape from slavery. Close reading with picture books lesson plan for henrys freedom box. Kadir nelson illustrated two caldecott honor books. Gr 25one of the most interesting stories from the underground railroad is that of henry box brown. Henry s freedom box provides opportunities for classroom connections in several subjects, including english, history, music, science, art, and drama. Initially i was going to demonstrate this strategy using the picture book henry s freedom box, but i decided to use a harder level picture book with more words per page, denser plot, and a longer story. Ive always wanted to share some of the inspiring biographical children s books ive read over the years. After the introduction, each student should receive a copy of henrys freedom box so the students can follow along during shared reading. Based on the life of henry brown, the book tells the story of a slave. Ncss notable trade book lesson plan henrys freedom box. A true story from the underground railroad recounts the remarkable story of a richmond slave who shipped himself in a wooden crate. Free henrys freedom box study unit worksheets for teachers to print. Reading the story read the story aloud, stopping when appropriate to explore illustrations, address student comments, clarify, predict, and guide their understanding of the story and the values to pursue justice.
If you are teaching about the underground railroad, henry s freedom box is a great companion book. Third graders create a shipping box from a cardboard material. Henrys freedom box is a tale based upon a true story of a slaves escape to freedom. Henrys freedom box higher level thinking task cards will have your students responding at the analysis level or higher after reading the book, henrys freedom box by ellen levine.
Reading and writing connection write a play script. A set of 11 short answer, multilayered comprehension questions, 6 project challenges, and a picture comparison activity to go with the book, henry s freedom box, by ellen levine. All the time he dreams about freedom, but that dream seems farther away than ever when he is torn from his family and put to work in a warehouse. Challenge students to turn the story of henrys freedom box into a short play. Use these teaching resources to introduce students to the underground railroad, a covert network of former slaves, free black men and women, northern abolitionists, and church leaders who helped fugitive slaves escape to freedom. Take a picture walk see appendix of the book henrys freedom box, and ask students to determine what henrys brilliant idea was.
Will smiths just the two of us won an naacp image award, and his new book, we are the ship continues to garner major awards. Encourage students to read the book and compare how information is presented in the two books. Henrys freedom box vocabulary worksheet answers printable during instruction this lesson uses the book as a starting point for a social studies unit on slavery and the underground railroad. This book, henry s freedom box was one of the first that touched me deeply. Henrys freedom box is the emotional story of a boy born into slavery. The first page helps students summarize important ideas from the text. Henrys freedom box activities for grade 4 by sarahmeier sol 4. Henry box brown a true story from the underground railroad illustrated by kadir nelson, written by ellen levine. Henrys freedom box by ellen levine lesson plan and activities tpt. Include a headline, a picture, and several facts about henrys journey. This book is based on the true story of henry brown, a slave who mailed himself to freedom.
Title of a book, article or other published item this will display to the public. Its what henry wants but he is born in a time when his freedom is not allowed. Before reading the book have students complete the what i think i know section of the slavery and underground railroad thinking chart printable. Henrys freedom box by ellen levine book companion and lapbook shares the story of the underground railroad and henrys escape to freedom. This set of lesson plans, resources, and activities is for use with henrys freedom box by ellen levine. Today we will create a time line of the main events, first i will reread the book to you.
While reading the book, encourage students to pay avid attention to the illustrations and the emotion they provoke. Put up a large poster of an empty tree see attached on one of the classroom walls. He was born into slavery, had a close relationship with his mother, was sold away from. You may use the story as a guide or learn more about henry box brown by clicking on the blue button bellow. These 18 task cards can be used individually or with partners.
Tell students that they will read a story about a real man named henry brown who lived in the united states in. Aug 12, 2016 each 3336 course member should pin one resource that could be used in conjunction with this book. Our reading resources assist parents, teachers, and other educators in helping struggling readers build fluency. Henry, heartbroken after separation from his family, decides to escape by climbing inside a box and mailing himself to freedom. This henry s freedom box lesson plan is suitable for 2nd 5th grade. See more ideas about henrys freedom box, social studies, underground railroad. Kadir nelson scholastic press, january 2007, historical fiction suitable for ages. With the strength and conviction of the best kind of hero, henry makes a harrowing journey in a wooden crate. In a newberywinning rendition of a true tale, a desperate slave asks a white abolitionist to pack him in a crate so he can be mailed to freedom. A true story from the underground railroad hardcover january 1, 2007. Ellen levines henry s freedom box is a book that tugs at all of ones emotions. Kadir nelson a fictionalized account of how in 1849 a virginia slave, henry box brown, escapes to freedom by shipping himself in a wooden crate from richmond to philadelphia. When reading henrys freedom box, try one of these two activities. Allow lessons to authentically develop and change based on engagement and.
With the help of friends, he mailed himself to philadelphia and freedom in a small wooden crate. Henrys freedom box summary and writing template henrys. No more slave work for henry box brown, in the box by express he did go, in the box by express he did go. After an arduous journey in the crate, henry finally has a birthday his first day of freedom. This lesson uses the book as a starting point for a social studies unit on slavery and the underground railroad.
With the strength and conviction of the best kind of hero, henry makes a harrowing journey in a wooden crate and mails h. After reading, have students complete a comprehension quiz and a vocabulary worksheet that is available here. Henrys freedom box is the emotional story of a boy born into slavery and his unconventional escape to freedom. The book, by the same author as henry s freedom box, is a nonfiction text written in an engaging questionandanswer format. It might seem odd, but kadir nelson s illustrations for this book reminded me of brian selznick s work in the invention of hugo cabret. This is a comprehension quiz designed for 3rd and 4th graders based on the book by ellen levine and kadir nelson. Henry s freedom box is a tale based upon a true story of a slave s escape to freedom. But when his family is sold, he risks everything for what he knows is right. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. Henrys freedom box printables, classroom activities. Sep 15, 2015 this organizer can be used after reading henrys freedom box.
Pdf henry s freedom box download full pdf book download. Will smith s just the two of us won an naacp image award, and his new book, we are the ship continues to garner major awards. A true story of the underground railroad is appropriate for students in grades 25. And above all, it should make any reasonable, any compassionate human being indignant at the inhumanity of slavery and strive for liberty, justice and equality for all. Edit the description on the pin to tell how the resource could be used.
Henry dreams of a world where his life belongs to him. It includes comprehension materials, a lapbook project about the underground railroad, and a writing prompt to make a class book. This henrys freedom box read aloud lesson is perfect for summary writing, determining importance, character trait lessons and black history activities. Free henry s freedom box study unit worksheets for teachers to print. Biography and autobiography, slavery, underground railroad, abolition, determination and perseverance brief synopsis. Rockets is a national multimedia project that offers a wealth of researchbased reading strategies, lessons, and activities designed to help young children learn how to read and read better. Does not sugar coat the experience of slavery, although this is a childrens book.
Students will imagine they are like henry, escaping to freedom in their own box. Henrys freedom box teaches to pursue justice and freedom. This henrys freedom box lesson plan is suitable for 2nd 5th grade. Having quality activities to use with the book is a huge help, and this bundle gives you lots of options. Click here for reading level, lessonactivity ideas, details. Free henrys freedom box worksheets and literature unit. Students explore the civil war by reading a children s book in class. Henrys freedom box childrens book read aloud henry box. Henrys freedom box activities shop comprehension connection. Slj explore classroom activities, puzzles, teacher resources and enrichment pdfs for this book. Our reading resources assist parents, teachers, and other educators in helping struggling readers build fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension skills. A guided reading or interactive read aloud lesson plan for the biography mentor text picture book henrys freedom box. On the left side of the chart have students record the trait and on the right side they can record text evidence. See more ideas about henrys freedom box, freedom and underground railroad.
Henrys freedom box by ellen levine and kadir nelson. When reading henry s freedom box, try one of these two activities. In this measuring lesson, 3rd graders read the book henrys freedom box and discuss the main idea. Initially i was going to demonstrate this strategy using the picture book henrys freedom box, but i decided to use a harder level picture book with more words per page, denser plot, and a longer story. Henry s freedom box by ellen levine hardcover book the parent store. A set of 11 short answer, multilayered comprehension questions, 6 project challenges, and a picture comparison activity to go with the book, henrys freedom box, by ellen levine. Create a front page article of a philadelphia newspaper the day that henry was mailed safely to his freedom. Tell the student to pay close attention to the struggles of henry and what the causes and effect of the struggles. When henrys family was sold down the river there is a poignant, wrenching illustration. Raised a slave, he found a unique way to escape after his wife and children were sold away from him. Apr 23, 2014 this video is a readaloud of henry s freedom box written by ellen levine. Jun 28, 2018 ive always wanted to share some of the inspiring biographical children s books ive read over the years. Free henrys freedom box worksheets and literature unit for. Comprehension by chapter, vocabulary challenges, creative reading response activities and projects, tests, and much more.
In the story a slave ships himself to freedom and the students measure and. Henrys freedom box vocabulary worksheet answers printable. Get everything you need to deliver meaningful reading instruction using henrys freedom box by ellen levine. Ellington was not a street by ntozake shange won the coretta scott king award. This caldecott honor book introduces kids to a very complex time in us history through a biography loosely based on a true story of a slave named henry box brown. Feb 02, 2016 this set of lesson plans, resources, and activities is for use with henrys freedom box by ellen levine. In this underground railroad lesson, students read the story henry s freedom box and discuss the plot, settings and characters. Henrys freedom box a must read for upper elementary imagine falling in love, marrying, and having a family with someone and watching your spouse and children get taken away from you. If you are teaching about the underground railroad, henrys freedom box is a great companion book. Henry box browns ingenious design to ship himself in a box from slavery to freedom is portrayed in luminous illustrations. Smith, mother, passenger 1, passenger 2, william still, railroad workers all. Drawing from an actual historical account, ellen levine details some of the hardships and heartbreaks of slavery, and the creative resiliency of henry box brown, a man who mailed himself to freedom.
Sep 15, 2009 henry box browns ingenious design to ship himself in a box from slavery to freedom is portrayed in luminous illustrations. The book, by the same author as henrys freedom box, is a nonfiction text written in an engaging questionandanswer format. Drawing from an actual historical account, ellen levine details some of the hardships. In this underground railroad lesson, students read the story henrys freedom box and discuss the plot, settings and characters. It can be used for whole group, small group, and independent instruction which makes these resources a smart choice for literacy centers or readers workshop. Henrys freedom box is a caldecott honor book by ellen levine along with illustrations by kadir nelson and it is about a runaway slave named henry box brown who thinks of a clever plan to get out of slavery after his family is sold. Henrys freedom box activities and underground railroad.
Henry does not know his birthday, he is torn apart from his family, and in desperation, he sets out on a brave quest for freedom. You may want to discuss the location of the major cities mentioned if students are unaware reread the book and have them track henry s journey and. Henrys freedom box a true story of the underground railroad written by. Reading rockets is a national multimedia project that offers a wealth of researchbased reading strategies, lessons, and activities designed to help young children learn how to read and read better. Kadir nelson henry brown wasnt sure how old he was. This is a comprehension quiz designed for 3rd and 4th graders based. This video is a readaloud of henrys freedom box written by ellen levine. Henrys freedom box by ellen levine hardcover book the. Henry boxbown s journey pair the students up and give them a blank map of the east coast. Challenge students to turn the story of henrys freedom box into a. The second page can be used to help students plan their own freedom box writing. Either download the henrys freedom box super pack or this individual vocabulary builder for resources and activities that support tier 2 and tier 3 vocabulary growth through fun and productive interactions with new words.
Henrys freedom box ellen levine narrators 17, master, nancy, henry, james, dr. In this measuring lesson, 3rd graders read the book henry s freedom box and discuss the main idea. Henry and his brothers and sisters worked in the big house where themaster lived. Include a headline, a picture, and several facts about henry s journey. Students explore the civil war by reading a childrens book in class. The book is readaloud and music and effects have been added to it to dramatize the book.
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