Ethics and the Underground Railroad

We have been learning about Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad. I wanted to bring in a question using our Ethics concept from Depth and Complexity. I asked my students, knowing the risks (which for the purposes of 1st graders-they know as going to jail) if you get caught--would you have helped hide someone on the Underground Railroad? 

I love asking my kiddos questions like this because sometimes they really surprise me with their answers. Students say "no" where I would expect them to say "yes". But as always, I asked them to justify their answers with why.

                                    I'd rather not...because I am going to get caught.

Yes, because if I went alone I would feel sad fro the other people that have to stay and work.

I would help bceause I want to be treated right and I want to be nice to others.

Yes because if I get caught and go to jail. but I am doing the right thing.

Yes, if he or her was getting chased by someone or something

 I would help them and take them to the Underground Railroad.

I would not...if I got caught I would be a slave and the slave would still be a slave.

Yes-it is not fair that I am not a slave and they are.

Yes because maybe they don't have no friends and need help.

Yes because they are going to be safe because we have stations and they have signals

that we are safe.

Yes-I won't like people bossing me around and people might be mean to me.

Yes-I rather keep them safe than tell the truth.

Yes because if slaves were not free then they would do nothing fun and

I would do the stuff Frederick [Douglas] did.