African-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

• Postage Stamps for Heroes worksheet
• Access to African-American History websites

Procedures

1. Introduce key vocabulary:

   accomplishments = things people have achieved

   excelled = did extremely well (at something)

   honor = credit for acting well

   invention = a new or original creation

   obstacle = something that stands in the way of (or stops) progress

2. Have students work with a partner to complete the postage stamps for heroes worksheet while they explore websites about African-American history.
3. Encourage pairs to brainstorm lists of African Americans who deserve to be honored with postage stamps.
4. 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.
5. 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.