The Transition From Slavery To Freedom Jul 2, 2012
by FanOfTimeLifeBooks
Booker portrays the boyhood story of Booker T. Washington. The movie begins in 1865 at the very end of the Civil War. Booker is eager to attend school but laws prevent him from doing so. After being freed by the Union army, Booker sees his chance to attend school. However, his step-father needs Booker to earn money and work in a salt furnace. Eventually, Booker is able to both attend school and work. The challenges facing the newly-freed slaves and their desire to learn how to read and write are the major themes in the movie. I use this video with my eighth grade students during my Civil War and Reconstruction unit and have found it to be an effective teaching tool. Moreover, Booker adequately depicts the transition from slavery to freedom and the significance and value of education.
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