United StatesAfrican-American Heroes
Grade Levels: 3 - 5
Objectives
- Students will use vocabulary related to important African Americans.
- Students will read the biographies of several famous African Americans.
- Students will appreciate the honor associated with having a stamp named after someone.
- Students will identify an important African American and write a letter recommending that this person be honored with a postage stamp.
Materials
- African-American Heroes worksheet
- Access to African-American History websites
Procedures
- Introduce key vocabulary: accomplishments, excelled, honor, invention, obstacles.
- Have students work with a partner to complete the African-American Heroes worksheet while they explore websites about African-American history.
- Encourage pairs to brainstorm lists of African Americans who deserve to be honored with postage stamps.
- Have students select one person and write a letter recommending this person for a stamp, citing specific reasons why the person should receive such an extraordinary honor.
- Set aside a time to share the letters of recommendation with the rest of the class and then mail the letters to the postmaster in each student's community.
Assessment
- Use students' worksheet responses and letters of recommendation to evaluate their ability to synthesize information and form opinions backed by facts.
- Find a variety of assessment techniques to use with this lesson.
Extension Activities
- Discover a huge collection of lessons and activities for Black History Month.
- Choose from a large collection of cross-curricular activities for all grade levels.
- Have students work with partners to make up their own black history quizzes and give them to each other.
Standards for the English Language Arts
Students:
- employ a wide range of strategies as they write and use different writing process elements appropriately to communicate with different audiences for a variety of purposes.
- participate as knowledgeable, reflective, creative, and critical members of a variety of literacy communities.
National Educational Technology Standards
Students:
- are proficient in the use of technology.
- practice responsible use of technology systems, information, and software.
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The month of February is full of holidays and events to include in your classroom. Our Educators' Calendar outlines activities for each one, including Valentine's Day (Feb. 14), Chinese New Year (begins Feb. 14), Presidents' Day (Feb. 15), and Mardi Gras (Feb. 16). Plus, celebrate Black History Month all February long!
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