The African American Story
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The African American Story In this dynamic 8-part lesson, students will learn history and elements of culture through an African American view. They will learn through a relatively new teaching concept, Inquiry Design Model (IDM), being used to teach Black History in Kentucky. It begins by establishing a principal theme, followed by a supporting question, utilizing a formative performance task or activity, and finally sources. After each general story, students will be given three sources with links about the lesson. They will include poems, videos, paintings and other forms of information. Finally, students will do the Performance Task or activity. They may need a separate sheet of paper or materials like paper, scissors and crayons. This course is about culture and expression. Students will learn about what it was like for African Americans and will be able to express themselves through the activities. As African American history and cultural aspects of America move to the forefront, we believe it is important to blend it with traditional history. The following lessons shape the African American experience through the various stages of American history. Read, listen, watch, learn, express and enjoy! Early Colonial Life: 1619-1764 Principal Theme: African American life at the beginning of the Colonial era. Supporting Question: What was life like for Black people? Was it only slavery? General Story: Europeans arrived in what is the United States as early as 1526- 1565. Jamestown, Virginia was settled in 1607, with the first 20 slaves (African Americans) in 1619. They had their rights taken away. They were skilled workers in rice planting and the use of iron metal. African Americans had their own celebrations, like Pinkster. Historians believe it was brought to New York from Europe or West Africa. It is taken from a Christian celebration called Pentecost. African Americans still celebrate it today with the largest Pinkster celebration is in Chicago, Illinois. Poems were also written by Jupiter Hamon and Phyllis Wheatley. Source 1: Click THIS LINK to view a picture of Pinkster. What do you see? Explain the picture. __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ Source 2: Read information about Phyllis Wheatley at THIS LINK. What are the most interesting things about her? __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ Source 3: Watch the video about quilting at THIS LINK. How proud would you be after making a quilt like these? __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ Performance Task: Write a short poem about how important it is for people to have rights. __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ The War for Independence: 1765-1789 Principal Theme: The fight to gain independence from British rule. Supporting Question: The 13 original colonies were unhappy with taxes (extra money charged for things like stamps and tea). How were African Americans involved? General Story: Crispus Attucks was famous for being the first person to die in the war for American freedom. He was African American. There were other famous and wealthy people like James Forten, a sail maker for ships. There were several explorers that helped discover parts of America, including Jean Baptiste Point Du Sable, who settled the city of Chicago, Illinois, in 1779. Source 1: Look at the picture of Tom Molineux in THIS LINK. His father Zachary Molineaux fought in the War for Independence and was one of the first boxers. What does this say about him? __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ Source 2: Read the information at THIS LINK. Who is the most interesting person? Why? __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ Source 3: Watch the video at THIS LINK. How did Elizabeth Freeman help fight slavery? __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ Performance Task: Why do you think African Americans fought in the war, even though they were in slavery? __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ Building Up America 1790-1830 Principal Theme: African Americans after the War of Independence Supporting Question: What was happening after America became an official country? As more states were added, slavery still existed. Did life change for Black people? General Story: Benjamin Banneker (1731-1806) represented one of the few Black people during the Revolutionary era. He was a self-taught mathematician, scientist, surveyor, and author. He also wrote a letter to President Thomas Jefferson about the treatment of African Americans. There were famous chefs that worked at the White House, including George Washington’s cook, Hercules Posey. Augustus Jackson is called the ‘Father of Ice Cream.’ He didn’t invent it, but he made it the way we eat it today. It all started back 200 years ago, in the 1820s, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The African Methodist Episcopal Church was started. It was an important place for fighting slavery. Source 1: Read the information found THIS LINK. What is most interesting about Benjamin Banneker? __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ Source 2: Watch the video about ice cream at THIS LINK. Why might it have been hard to make ice cream 200 years ago? __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ Source 3: Look at the painting at THIS LINK. What is happening? What are the people doing? __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ Performance Task: Write a short song or rap about being the first kid to try ice cream. __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ The Fight to End Slavery: 1830-1865 Principal Theme: The fight to end slavery and the Civil War Supporting Question: What changes took place during the fight for freedom? General Story: In 1830, David Walker published David Walker’s Appeal, a little book about the importance of ending slavery in America. He helped start the abolitionist movement. Frederick Douglass became one of the leading Black people, starting a newspaper to spread information about slavery. He wrote one of the most popular slave narratives, or his story about being in slavery. The Civil War included Black soldiers on both sides, and even Army nurses like Susan King Taylor. The Underground Railroad, secret routes of freedom from the South to the northern parts of America, was set up by many conductors or helpers. There were also Black cowboys like Nate Love. Source 1: Look at the picture of the Underground Railroad at THIS LINK. What