Follow the Drinking Gourd
Jeanetter Winter / Grades 3-4 /
This engagingly illustrated picture book tells the story of Peg Leg Joe,
a white one-legged sailor and handyman, who hired himself out to plantation
owners, and eventually made friends with slaves. It turns out that this was
all part of his plan, the book reads, to "teach the slaves a song/that secretly
told the way/to freedom." When the song was learned, Peg Leg Joe would quit
to work for another master. In this way, the song got spread around. The story
chronicles, in simple unrhymed verse, the escape of one family, and how Joe's
song helps to lead and inspire them. Parents Mollie and James, son Isaiah, old
Hattie, and grandson George set out one night with the "Drinking Gourd"
— "the Big Dipper" — as their guide. During the perilous journey they sang
Joe's song. Dangers ensue and the family narrowly escapes. At last, the song
leads them to Joe, who ferries them across the Ohio River. But there is still a
long way to go before freedom!
Standards
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MST
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Standard 4: Science
4.1 The Earth and celestial phenomena can be described by principles of relative motion and perspective.
4.2 Many of the phenomena that we observe on Earth involve interactions among components of air, water, and land.
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ELA
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Standard 1: Language for Information and Understanding
1.1 Listening and Reading: Listening and reading to acquire information and understanding involves collecting data, facts, and ideas; discovering relationships, concepts, and generalizations; and using knowledge from oral, written, and electronic sources.
Standard 2: Language for Literary Response and Expression
2.1 Language for Literary Response and Expression: Listening and reading for literary response involves comprehending, interpreting, and critiquing imaginative texts in every medium, drawing on personal experiences and knowledge to understand the text, and recognizing the social, historical and cultural features of the text.
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Social Studies
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Standard 1: History of United States and New York
1.1 The study of New York State and United States history requires an analysis of the development of American culture, its diversity and multicultural context, and the ways people are unified by many values, practices, and traditions.
1.2 Important ideas, social and cultural values, beliefs, and traditions from New York State and United States history illustrate the connections and interactions of people and events across time and from a variety of perspectives.
1.3 Study about the major social, political, economic, cultural, and religious developments in New York State and United States history involves learning about the important roles and contributions of individuals and groups.
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