The gourd referred to above is also known as the Big Dipper. Find out why this constellation was chosen. Arrange to have a night-time field trip to look at stars. While everyone is out in the dark, talk about traveling at night and how escaping slaves must have felt. As your class is studying this time period, have them make a wall chart of signs and symbols.
Cassie is told to watch for the star quilt.
Count the squares and triangles. Try coloring some, make a paper or fabric class quilt. The names and origins of quilt squares can enliven history. Learn how quilts are a part of our country's past. In connection with Aunt Harriet read Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt. for another way that directions for the Underground Railroad might have been passes along.