The ideal way to begin this unit is to give students a chance to experience a taste of the inequalities that were a part of slavery. Ideally, this process should take place before the students are aware that they will be studying the Underground Railroad.

Caution is important, however. As noted earlier, slavery is a topic that can create strong reactions in people from all backgrounds. In many communities, activities that imitate being slaves, or even that use the word "slave," run the risk of creating serious, unanticipated consequences in both students and their parents.

Whatever it is, your introductory experience should have the following elements:

1. Prior written notice to parents about this unit. (We have included a sample letter.) You also might want to make your building principal aware of your plans.

2. An advance warning to students that some "new activities" will be coming in the next few days.

3. At least two different experiences in which one group of students "works" while the other "plays" or in which one group receives something desirable while the other does not. You are the best judge of the type and extent to which these experiences should go. Be sure, however, that all students get to experience both a "good deal" and a "bad deal." Examples of these experiences might include:

- making one group clean the playground while the other has recess.
- letting one group have a snack while the other group serves and cleans up.

4. A time to reflect and talk about what has happened. We offer some guidance about how to handle this session next.

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