-
Research #1
BIOGRAPHIES for KIDS
Famous Leaders for Young ReadersCLICK on the PICTURE to ENTERThese stories of presidents, inventors, educators, scientists,
business men and women etc. are presented to inspire the student
to follow their examples of courage, determination, honesty and willingness to work.Scroll down to the next LessonResearch #2Black History in AmericaLESSONS FOR THIS UNIT
Lesson 1: Inventors & TrailblazersThrough this lesson, you will learn about 10 African Americans whose innovations directly impacted transportation, health care, fashion, and even your lunches! Using the guided research activities along with the discussion questions you will be able to understand how these inventors" achievements were significant because of both what they created and the barriers they often had to overcome.Black History in America ActivitiesI want all of you to imagine what life was like for African Americans during each of the time periods that's marked on the timeline. Focus on the time before/after/during major events.- How much education did most black children have?
- Where did they live?
- What types of jobs did they have?
- What were some differences between how a typical African American might have lived and how a middle class white person might have lived?
Ask students to consider similarities among black Americans, whites, and other ethnic or demographic groups. Probe them to consider limitations of technology or science during the various periods in history.When you have discussed the answers... Please begin the first part of your research.Don't forget to write your answers on your worksheets.Meet Notable Inventors:
- Go through The Top Ten African-American Inventors. Read the facts and explore each of the "Find Out More" links.
On the timeline, mark the year for each inventors invention, their name, and what they invented:On your worksheet fill in the Inventors information:Discuss how these inventors might have felt to be pioneers. Write an entry answering two of the following questions:- Do you think it was hard for some of these inventors to prove themselves and their inventions because of their skin color?
- Why do you think that some of these inventors are not well known today?
- What obstacles did these inventors face?
-
How might the inventors and the things they created been influenced by the times in which they lived?
2. Online Publishing: How Would you Feel?
Put Yourself in their Shoes
- Go to Online Publishing: How Would You Feel? and think about how the inventor you researched might have felt.
3. Interactive Timeline on Black History
- Read about the history of jazz. Add the musicians to your timeline and discuss how they were trailblazers like the inventors you've just researched. Consider these questions:
- How might the inventors and the musicians have had similar experiences?
- What differences were there between the inventors and the musicians?
- What barriers or prejudices do you think jazz musicians faced?
-
Use the interactive timeline on black history, to compare and contrast the lives of black Americans from two different periods in history.
-
Then use the timeline with the years, to fill in the names and events.
Discussion Questions
- Besides science and music, what other areas do you know African Americans have been trailblazers?
- What traits seem to be important to be a trailblazer, inventor, or great musician?
- Do you think these traits are related to race or skin color?
- What would you have done if you were an African American during the 1700s? during the Civil War? In the early 20th century? During the civil rights movement?
- Gain insight into African-American history from slavery to the civil rights movement
- Learn about individual people who shaped history by reading their biographies and researching the age in which they lived
- Understand the causes and effects of the civil rights movement in America
- Study the history of jazz music to gain awareness of the cultural contributions made by different groups in America
- Build nonfiction literacy skills as they read Web-based articles for details and use a timeline to obtain information
- Apply critical thinking skills to answer questions regarding controversial events related to the civil rights movement
- Hone writing skills through brief essay submissions or grade-appropriate research papers
-
Develop and present an oral report that includes important research points and historical facts
Last Modified on October 15, 2007