Intonation is the rise and fall in the pitch or tone of your voice as you read aloud. Use this passage to practice reading with proper intonation. Print a copy of this passage from InsideNG.com to help you monitor your progress.
One dark night, Henson and his family left their home. He carried his two youngest children in a backpack. The family boarded a small boat and crossed the Ohio River into Indiana.
Once in Indiana, the family had to move slowly. They had to be careful not to be seen. Some slave owners offered rewards for the capture of escaped slaves. If the family was found, they might be returned to Riley. To make sure no one saw them, Henson’s family often traveled at night and slept during the day.
The family traveled by wagon, by boat, and on foot. They traveled toward Canada, where slavery was not allowed. Along the way, people helped the family. Some people gave them food, and others hid them in barns.
The family set foot in Canada more than a month after their daring escape. The first words that Henson exclaimed when he got there were, “I am free!”