The Drinking Gourd:  A Story of the Underground Railroad

Section 1; p. 6-31

(2nd- 3rd grade plan)

 

Word Wizard

 

Word #1

 

  1. Gourd, page 6, line 1
  2. “Follow the drinking gourd.”
  3. noun, a stream or a creek
  4. A hollowed out piece of fruit, used as a drinking cup or a dipper.
  5. Using the information that I learned in this section of the book, I now know that the ‘gourd’ or ‘dipper’ is referring to the big dipper.  The story also tells us that the gourd or ‘drinking gourd’ is used to help the slaves find their way in the night.  They are following it to the North.  Therefore, the ‘gourd’ is like a map for the slaves.

 

 

Word #2

 

  1. Squawked, page 17, line 4
  2. “The goose squawked and fluttered.”
  3. verb, a loud yell or scream
  4. A loud, harsh cry.
  5. This section was filled with screams and cries.  First, the geese squawk, then father yells at Tommy, next Tommy hears the baby cry in the barn, and finally Tommy and Big Jeff do some hollering of their own.  I also imagine that there may be more cries in the future as the slaves begin on their journey through the ‘Underground Railroad’.

 

 

Word #3

 

  1. Frightened, page 24, line 1
  2. “Tommy was so frightened he fell back into the hay.”
  3. adverb, scared
  4. To be scared.
  5. It seems to me that the entire process of being a runaway would be extremely scary.  All of the characters in the book will probably experience some type of fear before the book is over.

 

 

 

 

Word #4

 

  1. Passengers, page 31, line 2
  2. “You found all my passengers,” said Father.
  3. noun, those who are company on some type of destination
  4. A person traveling by some type of transportation, not involved in operating
  5. Most slaves that were runaways were members of the Underground Railroad.  The family that is hiding in the barn are passengers of Deacon Fuller because he is going to help them travel to their next destination.  They cannot be involved in operating their travel because they would more easily be discovered.