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unsung heroes in african american history: activity ideas

Activity Ideas | Related Resources

  1. Who's Not in Your Textbook?

    Grade Level: 6-8; 9-12
    Subject: Social Studies; Reading & Language Arts; The Arts; Science & Technology

    Ask students to review their history/civics textbooks for information on famous African Americans. Have them look for notable figures in politics, science, the arts, athletics, activism, and entertainment. Who do they see? In which topics are African American featured most prominently, other than slavery and the civil rights movement?

    Have students research a time period or a specific topic and have them identify a notable African American they believe deserves more credit or attention. USe the online resources listed below and others for useful information.

    Students could create a report, a multimedia presentation using images, video, audio and powerpoint, or write a skit or short story based on that individual's experience and accomplishments. As part of their presentations, students should address how this person's inspired them.

    Online Resources

    African American Lives:
    http://www.pbs.org/wnet/aalives/

    African American World:
    http://www.pbs.org/wnet/aaworld/

    American Masters:
    http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/

    American Experience:
    http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/

    African American Inventors:
    http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/blkidprimer6_12aa.htm

    African American Masters of Art:
    http://www.yale.edu/ynhti/curriculum/units/1993/ ...

    PBS Lesson Plans/Activities

    American Masters - For Teachers
    http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/education/

    The Blues Classroom:
    http://www.pbs.org/theblues/classroom.html

    The Rise and Fall of Jim Crow - Black Pioneers:
    http://www.pbs.org/wnet/jimcrow/education_lesson3.html

    American Experience - Jubilee Singers - Sacrifice and Glory:
    http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/singers/tguide/index.html

    Print Resources

    African-American Masters: Highlights from the Smithsonian American Art Museum by Smithsonian American Art Museum
    Fair Ball! 14 Great Stars From Baseball's Negro Leagues by Jonah Winter
    Vision of Beauty: The Story of Sarah Breedlove Walker by Kathryn Lasky and Nneka Bennett

    More Recommended Resources

  2. The Names Behind the Famous Cases

    Grade Levels: 2-5; 6-8
    Subjects: Social Studies; Reading & Language Arts; Health & Fitness; Science & Technology

    Have your students conduct research projects about the following cases that resulted in historic rulings affecting civil rights. Specifically, ask your students to investigate the stories behind the cases. Who were the plaintiffs and how did their names become part of legal and civil rights history? Some examples include:

    • Plessy v. Ferguson (1892)
    • Sipuel v. Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma (1948)
    • Sweatt v. Painter (1950)
    • Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

    Younger students can create a mural about these courageous men and women and children who helped move civil rights forward.

    Online Resources

    Beyond Brown - Pursuing the Promise:
    http://www.pbs.org/beyondbrown/index.html

    The Rise and Fall of Jim Crow: A National Struggle:
    http://www.pbs.org/wnet/jimcrow/struggle_court.html

    In Pursuit of Freedom and Equality:
    http://brownvboard.org/index.htm

    Landmark Cases:
    http://www.landmarkcases.org/brown/home.html

    PBS Lesson Plans/Activities

    The Rise and Fall of Jim Crow: Fighting Jim Crow in the Schools
    http://www.pbs.org/wnet/jimcrow/education_lesson2.html

    Print Resources

    The Civil Rights Movement for Kids: A History With 21 Activities by Mary Turck

    More Recommended Resources

  3. The Other Women Behind the Montgomery Bus Boycott

    Grade Level: 6-8; 9-12
    Subjects: Social Studies; Reading & Language Arts

    Ask students to find information on Claudette Colvin and Mary Louise Smith in their textbooks. Why aren't they included in the history of the Montgomery Bus Boycott? Ask students to research these tow young women using the following resources:

    Why did groups such as the NAACP refuse to use these young people as plaintiffs in a case against segregation? Why was Rosa Parks seen as a more practical choice? Was that fair? Discuss with students that men and women who are remembered are sometimes not necessarily the true pioneers, but followed the work of others.

    Have students research other youth activists in African American history.

    Print Resources

    Montgomery Bus Boycott and the Women Who Started It by Joann Robinson

    More Recommended Resources

Published: February 2006