In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson
by Bette Bao LordPage 1 of 2
Shirley Temple Wong sails from China to America with a heart full of dreams. Her new home is Brooklyn, New York. America is indeed a land full of wonders, but Shirley doesn't know any English, so it's hard to make friends. Then a miracle happens: baseball. It is 1947, and Jackie Robinson, star of the Brooklyn Dodgers, is everyone's hero. Jackie Robinson is proving that a black man, the grandson of a slave, can make a difference in America. And for Shirley as well, on the ball field and off, America becomes the land of opportunity. | ||
Enrichment Activities
Internet Resources
Books for Black History Month
Enrichment Activities
Comprehension Checks
Check your students' comprehension of the story with Test A, Test B, and Test C. Use the Answer Key for correcting.
- Conflict Dissection
This graphic organizer will help students to study the story's setting, problem, and solution. Use the Conflict Dissection organizer.
Culminating Projects - Have your students design and complete a project to conclude the unit. Use the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson Projects sheet.
Jackie Robinson and Civil Rights - This lesson gets students thinking critically about the Civil Rights movement and its key players, as they explore a biographical site about Jackie Robinson.
Jackie Robinson Coloring Page - A printable coloring book page with a picture of the baseball legend.
Reference and Reading Comprehension Practice - Shirley and her friends loved baseball. They could have easily answered the questions in this activity. Have students practice using references to find the answers to this quiz about baseball history. Use the Answer Key to check their answers.
Internet Resources
Chinese Zodiac: Year of the Boar
Grade Levels: Intermediate, Middle
Information about the meaning of the Year of the Boar and the rest of the Chinese zodiac.
http://www.chinavoc.com/zodiac/pig/year.asp
Jackie Robinson Biography
Grade Levels: Intermediate, Middle
Great site that includes a biography, an image gallery, and a QuickTime video.
http://http://www.evesmag.com/robinson.htm
Black Baseball's Negro Baseball Leagues
Grade Levels: Intermediate, Middle
The history, the players, and the teams.
http://www.blackbaseball.com/
2008 Summer Olympics
Celebrate this summer's Olympic Games in Beijing, China, with our resources, activities, and lessons.
Teaching about Natural Disasters
The world has suffered two natural disasters this May — Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar and the earthquake in China. These tragedies may have your students wondering why such large catastrophes occur. We have resources to help you explain earthquakes and cyclones, and for dealing with the subjects of death and crisis with your class.
July Events
Find educational activities for every day in July. Take a look at our Summer Activities Slideshow for our favorite summer-themed activities, lessons, and printables.
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New Customizable Printables
Easily create personalized hall and office passes or teacher stationary with our customizable classroom passes and notes. Prepare for substitute teachers, field trips, parent-teacher conferences, and more with our customizable charts and forms.
Drama Resources
Explore our drama resources – from Shakespearean plays to The Miracle Worker to Readers Theater – to widen your curricular focus. Students will enjoy the change of pace that putting on a classroom play will bring!
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From frequently asked questions to assessment accommodations, these articles and resources will help you to deal with the special nature of students with ADD/ADHD.

