-Read Pink and Say by Patricia Polacco
    Pink and Say is the powerful story of a black Confederate soldier and a white Confederate soldier who befriend each other. In the end, Pink, an African American, and Say, the white soldier, are treated very differently.

-After reading Pink and Say, have the children think up some questions they have about slavery. Using their questions have them write a letter to one of the following;
    -a slave
    -a Confederate soldier
    -a Union soldier
    -a freed slave
    -a slave owner
    -a Confederate child
    -a Union child

Review the parts of a letter (link to example page). Using their questions allow students to write their letter. Explain to students that throughout the unit some of their questions will hopefully be answered.

(example letter)

                                                                                                                                                November 10, 2000
 

Dear Gracie,

    I am a 5th graders at Union Elementary School.  In Social Studies we are learning about the civil war and slavery.  I am very glad that we are getting to know about your time period and our discussions in class often lead to many questions that my teacher can not always answer.  So instead of just ignoring our questions and putting off answering them, she told us to go straight to the source.
    Where do I begin?  I have so many questions, that it is hard for me to decide where to begin.  I know that the Underground Railroad is not a train that goes underground, but what exactly is it.  I understand that this information is very secretive and you don't have to worry about it getting in the wrong hands.  You can trust me and my fellow classmates.  What are some of your code words and what do they mean?  I know there are many of them and I do not expect you to tell me all of them, but I would sure appreciate it if you would explain some of them to us.
    I really hate the way that you were treated.  After all you are a human being and have feelings and you should be treated like everyone else.  No one person is better than the other and it is absurd if someone thinks otherwise.  I can't imagine how it must have felt, but I am sure that is must have been a terrible ordeal.  If it doesn't dredge up too many bad memories, I would love for you to tell me how being a slave made you feel.  What are some of your experiences?  I won't ask you to get too detailed for I know that these times were wretched.  I really appreciate your time and for your reply.  Please feel free to add any information that you think will be useful to share with my class.

Sincerely,
Betsy