Frederick Douglass Scaffolded Worksheet
Adapted Reading Passage
Frederick’s Journey to Freedom
Reading Strategy: Look for Icons
How to read this page: Below is the story of Frederick Douglass, a famous champion for human rights. As you read, notice the colored icon next to each section. These icons match the questions on the next page to help you find the answers!
1. Born into Slavery
Frederick was born into slavery in Maryland around 1818. His mother was an enslaved Black woman, but they were separated when he was a tiny baby. He never got to know his white father. Instead, he grew up living with his grandmother on a farm.
2. Learning in Secret
Most enslaved children had to work in fields and were forbidden from learning. But Frederick’s childhood was different. He was sent to Baltimore to work inside a house. There, his owner’s wife taught him how to read until she was forced to stop. After that, Frederick secretly learned to read and write from white neighborhood children on the street.
3. Escaping to the North
In 1838, Frederick escaped to freedom. He traveled from Baltimore to New York City, and then settled in Massachusetts. He changed his last name to "Douglass" to stay hidden from slave catchers. In 1841, he gave a powerful speech at an anti-slavery meeting in Nantucket, Massachusetts. He spoke so beautifully that he became a main voice for the movement.
4. Writing for Freedom
Some people did not believe that an escaped slave could speak so wonderfully. To prove them wrong, Frederick wrote his autobiography (the story of his life). Because his old owner could now locate him, he traveled to Great Britain and Ireland for two years to stay safe. There, his supporters raised money to buy his legal freedom from his master.
5. Advisor to the President
During the Civil War, Frederick became a consultant (advisor) to President Abraham Lincoln. He convinced the President to let former enslaved Black men fight for the Union army in the North. He also worked hard to make sure the war would end slavery completely across the country.
Historical Word Bank
Enslaved: Forced to work for no pay and treated as someone else's property.
Abolition Movement: A group of people working together to end slavery for good.
Autobiography: A true book that a person writes about their own life.
Consultant: An expert advisor hired to give helpful advice to a leader.
Student Name: ________________________
Date: ________________
Score: ______ / 5
Comprehension Detective
Finding the Clues
Match the icon in the question with the icon in the reading to find your answer quickly!
Question 1:
Family
Who were Frederick’s parents?
Sentence Starter: Frederick’s mother was...
Question 2:
Learning
How was his childhood different from other enslaved children?
Sentence Starter: Frederick's childhood was different because...
Question 3:
Escape
Describe his route from Baltimore to Massachusetts:
Sentence Starter: He escaped from Baltimore to...
Question 4:
Writing
How did his book help him buy his freedom?
Sentence Starter: Writing his autobiography helped him because...
Question 5:
Civil War
What was Frederick’s role during the Civil War?
Sentence Starter: During the Civil War, he helped President Lincoln by...
Self-Reflection
👍 Confident 🤔 Need some help
