Category Archives: African American

Harriet Tubman

HARRIET TUBMAN   Introduction Harriet Tubman was an incredible part of American History. She led a challenging life, but was still strong enough to rescue around 300 slaves from captivity. Her strength and courage remain an inspiration, even to this … Continue reading

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Martin Luther King, Jr.

The following resources are appropriate to help teach third graders about the contributions Martin Luther King, Jr. made to the Civil Rights Movement in the United States (Virginia Social Studies SOL 3.11 b).  Following in the footsteps of his father … Continue reading

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Carving Out a Name for Himself

George Washington Carver made a name for himself with peanuts. He is world-reknowned for having beaten the odds€”as an African-American in the post Civil War era in America in the late 1800s€”to become a scientist and successful inventor. He was director … Continue reading

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Jackie Robinson

  As the first African-American player in the major leagues of baseball, Jackie’s actions helped to bring about other opportunities for African-Americans.  (SOL 2.11)  The resources given below will help a 2nd grade student learn about the life and times of Jackie … Continue reading

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Learning about Rosa Parks

On December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks made history by simply and courageously refusing to give up her seat to a white passenger. During a time of public, educational, and social segregation, Rosa Parks was one of many who paved the … Continue reading

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Teaching Geography with Children’s Literature: The Patchwork Path

The Patchwork Path is written by Bettye Stround and illustrated by Erin Susanna Bennett.  The story is told by Hannah, a ten year old girl, who is a slave on a Georgia plantation.  When the story begins, Hannah’s sister has … Continue reading

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Teaching Ancient Civilizations with Children’s Literature: The Hunterman and the Crocodile

 Introduction and Summary There’s a lesson to be learned from the folktale, The Hunterman and the Crocodile, written and illustrated by Baba Wague Diakite. This tale involves the relationships between man and nature, and the importance that respect plays in … Continue reading

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Teaching Civics with Children’s Literature: Barack Obama: Son of Promise, Child of Hope

Introduction and Summary Barack Obama: Son of Promise, Child of Hope a New York Times bestseller written by Nikki Grimes and illustrated by Bryan Collier is a glimps of the life of the 44th president of the United States.  This … Continue reading

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Teaching History with Children’s Literature: Sweet Land of Liberty

The book Sweet Land of Liberty, written by Deborah Hopkinson and illustrated by Leonard Jenkins, tells the true story of how a simple experience as a child can lead to an extraordinary experience in history.  It begins with a poor white boy in … Continue reading

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Teaching History with Children’s Literature: Pink and Say

  Patricia Polacco’s Pink and Say is the beautifully written story of two soldiers, Pinkus Aylee and Sheldon Russell Curtis, who fought for the Union Army during the Civil War.  The boys met when Pinkus (Pink) encountered Sheldon (Say), who … Continue reading

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