Follow the Drinking Gourd

The FSU Planetarium offers the program "Follow the Drinking Gourd" Follow the Drinking Gourd is based on the book "Follow the Drinking Gourd" by Jeannette Winter, which describes the day and night skies and discusses the importance of the Big Dipper Constellation (which slaves called a Drinking Gourd) for finding their way to Canada and freedom. This program was produced by the Planetarium at RVCC. It is based on the book "Follow the Drinking Gourd" by Jeannette Winter, which introduces students to the day and night skies and discusses the importance of the Big Dipper (which slaves called a Drinking Gourd).

The program includes the story and artwork from Ms. Winter's book, which is the story of a family escaping from the south using the Drinking Gourd as a guide. Here is the artwork from Jeannette Winter's book.

This program also incorporates the song, "Follow the Drinking Gourd." Here are the lyrics and with an explanation; and here is a printable version of the sheet music (melody and lyrics): ftdgsong.pdf (47k).

Here are Peggy Motes resources for educators for this show. The Madison Metropolitan School District Planetarium also has an excellent Educator's Guide to... "Follow the Drinking Gourd".