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Home , Bessie Coleman, Oprah Winfrey, Shirley Chisholm

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction ...... 4 Langston Hughes (1902–1967)...... 68

Benjamin Banneker (1731–1806) ...... 5 Thurgood Marshall (1908–1993) ...... 71

Elizabeth Freeman (1742–1829) ...... 8 Jesse Owens (1913–1980) ...... 74

Phillis Wheatley (1753?–1784)...... 11 Rosa Parks (1913–2005) ...... 77

David Walker (1785?–1830) ...... 14 Daisy Bates (1914?–1999) ...... 80

Sojourner Truth (1797–1883) ...... 17 Gwendolyn Brooks (1917–2000) ...... 83

Maria Stewart (1803–1879) ...... 20 Jacob Lawrence (1917–2000) ...... 86

Solomon Northup (1808–18??)...... 23 Jackie Robinson (1919–1972) ...... 89

Frederick Douglass (1818–1895) ...... 26 Alex Haley (1921–1992) ...... 92

Harriet Tubman (1819?–1913) ...... 29 Shirley Chisholm (1924–2005) ...... 95

Robert Smalls (1839–1915) ...... 32 Andrew Foster (1925–1987) ...... 98

Daniel Hale Williams (1856?–1931) ...... 35 Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929–1968) ...... 101

Booker T. Washington (1856–1915)...... 38 Faith Ringgold (1930– ) ...... 104

George Washington Carver (1861?–1943) ...... 41 Alvin Ailey (1931–1989) ...... 107

Ida B. Wells-Barnett (1862–1931) ...... 44 Colin Powell (1937– ) ...... 110

Mary Church Terrell (1863–1954) ...... 47 Wilma Rudolph (1940–1994) ...... 113

Matthew Henson (1866–1955) ...... 50 Oprah Winfrey (1954– )...... 116

Scott Joplin (1867?–1917) ...... 53 Mae Jemison (1956– ) ...... 119

W. E. B. DuBois (1868–1963) ...... 56 Barack Obama (1961– ) ...... 122

Bessie Coleman (1892–1926) ...... 59 Answer Key ...... 125

Marian Anderson (1897–1993) ...... 62 Assessment Grid ...... 128

Louis Armstrong (1901–1971) ...... 65

Invite students to experience the thrill of reading with the historical biographies in African American Achievers: High-Interest Nonfiction.

The passages in this book are appropriate for students in the intermediate grades. Among these grade levels, and even within individual classrooms, you will ﬁnd learners at different reading levels. When presenting students with a new text, there is always the danger of either frustrating struggling readers or boring those students who have jumped ahead. To help all of these students maintain interest and ﬁnd success in their reading assignments, this book presents each passage at two different reading levels.

Also included with each passage is a set of comprehension questions that applies to both versions of the story and a bonus activity. The questions test students’ skills in determining main idea, reading for details, sequencing, using context clues, and drawing conclusions. The bonus activity is a writing extension that reinforces reasoning skills and encourages students to connect prior knowledge with the text.

An assessment grid at the back of the book makes it easy to see which reading comprehension skills each student has mastered.

An icon in the lower right or left A indicates the higher-level version. corner of each passage designates the reading level. A indicates the lower-level version. { Use the rubric below to help you assess students’ writing after they have completed the bonus writing extension following each passage.

NOVICE EMERGING INDEPENDENT DISTINGUISHED Stayed on topic Did not stay Stayed on topic TOPIC for most of the Stayed on topic on topic with elaboration paragraph

Outstanding ORGANIZATION Not organized Organized Well organized organization

WRITTEN Hard to Easier to Easy to Well written, EXPRESSION understand understand understand elaborated

he young man bent over the pocket What else did Benjamin find interesting? He watch. In the 1700s, a pocket watch liked to study the stars. In one of the fields was a rare and valuable thing. Clocks on his farm, Benjamin built a “work cabin.” Tand watches were not made in the colonies The cabin had a skylight cut in the roof. He of America. The young man borrowed this looked at the stars through this hole in the watch from a wealthy neighbor. But, he did roof and made charts of the sky. Then, he not want to show it off or use it—he wanted wrote and published an almanac, a book that to take it apart! Piece by piece, the 21 year showed when the moon would be full and old took apart the precious watch. Carefully, when people should plant crops. he made a drawing of each tiny gear and component. Then, he put the whole watch In 1791, Benjamin was given a new job. He together again. was asked to help survey, or map out, the new city of Washington, D.C., with a man Benjamin Banneker was the son of a former named Andrew Ellicott. A Frenchman named slave. He lived as a free man in Maryland. Pierre L’Enfant was going to design the new Even though Benjamin had only gone to city—the roads, government buildings, and school for a short time, he was full of curios- parks. L’Enfant had a bad temper and was ity. He loved the fascinating pieces of the unreliable. He was fired. The government had watch, so he started to make large-sized paid for his plans, but L’Enfant took the plans copies of the gears. He carved these pieces with him when he left. Many people believe out of wood. He added chimes to ring for that Benjamin came to the rescue. They say each hour. When it was done, his hand- that he helped Ellicott remember every detail carved clock was the first chiming clock ever of the plans and drew them all from memory! made in America. Even though the wooden The work on Washington, D.C., went on, parts wore down over time, the clock worked partially thanks to Benjamin Banneker. perfectly for 50 years.

After his parents died, Benjamin ran their farm. He also repaired watches and clocks. Thanks to his work on the pocket watch, he knew how to ﬁx them.

he young man bent over the watch. What else did Benjamin find interesting? In the 1700s, a watch was a rare and He liked the stars. In one of the fields on valuable thing. Clocks and watches his farm, Benjamin built a “work cabin.” Twere not made in the colonies of America. The cabin had a skylight cut in the roof. He The young man borrowed this watch from looked at the stars through this hole in the a wealthy neighbor. But, he did not want to roof. He made charts of the sky. He wrote show it off. He did not want to use it. He and published an almanac. This was a book wanted to take it apart! The 21 year old took that showed when the moon would be full apart the watch piece by piece. He made a and when people should plant crops. drawing of each tiny gear and part. Then, he put the whole watch back together again. In 1791, Benjamin was given a new job. He was asked to help a man named Andrew Benjamin Banneker was the son of a freed Ellicott map out the new city of Washington, slave. He lived in Maryland. Banneker only D.C. A man from France named Pierre L’Enfant went to school for a short time. But, he planned the roads, buildings, and parks for was interested in everything around him. the city. L’Enfant had a bad temper. He was He loved the watch. He started to make fired. The government had paid for his plans. big copies of the gears. He carved these But, L’Enfant took the plans with him when he pieces out of wood. He added chimes. They left. Many people think that Benjamin came rang for each hour. When it was done, his to the rescue. They say that he helped Ellicott hand-carved clock was the first clock of its draw all of the plans from memory. The work kind made in America. The wooden parts on Washington, D.C., went on, in part thanks wore down over time, but the clock worked to Benjamin Banneker. perfectly for 50 years.

After Benjamin’s parents died, he ran their farm. He also repaired watches and clocks. Thanks to his neighbor’s watch, he knew how to ﬁx them.

1. Choose a good title for this story. 4. Answer the following questions.

A. Watching the Stars • Where did enjamin anneker lie as a child? B. An Interesting Life C. Looking at Maps ______

D. From Clocks to the Capital • What did enjamin build after he took apart the watch? 2. What does the word chimes mean in the story? ______

A. the part of a clock that ticks • Why did enjamin build his work cabin?

B. the parts of a clock that hold the gears ______together C. the part of a clock that rings for ______each hour • Who was ierre ’nfant? D. the part of a clock that points to each hour ______

3. Number the following events in the order ______they happened. 5. Why do you think that Benjamin was ____ Benjamin is asked to help plan the asked to help map the new city of city of Washington, D.C. Washington, D.C.? ____ Benjamin gets a farm after his A. He was a good farmer. parents die. B. He was good at details, and he knew ____ Benjamin takes apart his neighbor’s how to make maps of the stars. pocket watch. ____ Benjamin draws the plans for C. He knew how to fix clocks and Washington, D.C., from memory. pocket watches. ____ Benjamin starts to study the stars. D. He was a free man.

BONUS: Have you ever wanted to take apart a machine to see how it works? What do you think would happen if you tried it? Write a story pretending that you took apart a machine at your house. Tell about what happens.

olonel John Ashley had a fine home in Instead, she went to see a lawyer named Sheffield, Massachusetts. He often had Theodore Sedgwick. She asked him to help guests who talked about the new Bill her go to court to win her freedom. Sedgwick ofC Rights and the new state constitution. The helped her by speaking for her in court. He people who sat around the table were not the argued the same point that Mum Bett had only ones listening, though. Also listening to made to him. If the state law said that every- these new ideas about freedom was a slave one in the state was free, didn’t that mean who waited on the table. She was called Mum Bett was free, too? The court agreed Mum Bett. that it did. A few years later, Massachusetts ended slavery in the state, thanks to Mum Mum Bett heard the guests say that all people Bett and her case. in the state “were free and equal.” She decided that meant her, too—even though she was Mum Bett took a new name after the court black. She decided she wanted to be free and case: Elizabeth Freeman. It was a name that find a new home. showed how proud she was to be free. She went to work for the Sedgwick family as a paid The Ashley house was not a comfortable housekeeper. She got married and had children place for slaves to live. Mrs. Ashley once who grew up in the state that their own mother tried to hit Mum Bett’s sister with a hot coal helped to make free for everybody. shovel. Mum Bett put herself in front of her sister and was hit and burned instead. One day, Mum Bett left the house, knowing that she would never go back.

olonel John Ashley had a big home Mum Bett went to see a lawyer. His name in Shefﬁeld, Massachusetts. He had was Theodore Sedgwick. She asked him to guests at his home. They talked about help her go to court. She wanted to win her theC new Bill of Rights and new state laws. freedom. Sedgwick helped her. He used the The people who sat around the table were same point that Mum Bett had made to him. not the only ones listening, though. A slave If the state law said that everyone in the state who waited on the table listened, too. She was free, didn’t that mean Mum Bett was free, heard the new ideas about freedom. She was too? The court said that it did. A few years called Mum Bett. later, Massachusetts ended slavery in the state. This was thanks to Mum Bett and her case. Mum Bett heard the guests say that all people in the state “were free and equal.” Mum Bett took a new name after the court She thought that meant her, too—even case: Elizabeth Freeman. It was a name that though she was black. She wanted to be showed how proud she was to be free. She free and find a new home. went to work for the Sedgwick family. They paid her for her work. She got married and The Ashley house was not a good place for had children. Her children grew up in the slaves to live. Mrs. Ashley once tried to hit state that their mother helped to make free Mum Bett’s sister with a hot coal shovel. Mum for everybody. Bett put herself in front of her sister. She was hit and burned instead. One day, Mum Bett left the house. She never went back.

1. The ﬁfth (last) paragraph is mainly about: 4. Answer the following questions.

A. Mum Bett’s court case. • Who was Theodore edgwick?

B. Mum Bett’s life after winning her freedom. ______C. Mum Bett’s sister. D. Mum Bett’s life with the Ashley family. • Where did Mum ett lie?

______2. What do the words waited on mean in the story? • How did Mum ett’s court case make a A. lingered big change in the state? B. expected ______C. served ______D. rested • Why did Mum ett change her name? 3. Number the following events in the order they happened. ______

____ Mum Bett is a slave in the house of 5. What ﬁrst made Mum Bett think that she John Ashley. could win her freedom in court? ____ Elizabeth Freeman has children. A. Theodore Sedgwick said that he would ____ Mum Bett changes her name to take her case to court. Elizabeth Freeman. B. Mrs. Ashley burned her. ____ Mum Bett wins her case in court. C. She knew she could be paid for ____ Mum Bett goes to talk to Theodore her work and earn her own living. Sedgwick about her idea. D. She heard talk about laws that said everyone in the state was free.

BONUS: Have you ever felt something happened to you that was not right? Write about that time.

Benjamin Banneker ...... 7 Maria Stewart ...... 22 Daniel Hale Williams ...... 37 1. D; 2. C; 3. 4, 2, 1, 5, 3; 4. He 1. B; 2. C; 3. 4, 3, 1, 2, 5; 1. A; 2. C; 3. 1, 4, 3, 5, 2; lived in Maryland; He built a 4. David Walker was Maria’s 4. He was the man whose life wooden clock with chimes; His friend and teacher; She and Dr. Williams saved by operating work cabin was the place where her husband lived in Boston, on his heart; He did not want to he mapped the night sky; Pierre Massachusetts; She wrote and make shoes; He went to medical L’Enfant was the person who spoke about education and school in Chicago, Illinois; planned Washington, D.C.; 5. B the rights of African Americans He became famous when he Elizabeth Freeman ...... 10 and women; She was left with operated on a man’s heart and nothing because some white saved his life; 5. C 1. B; 2. C; 3. 1, 5, 4, 3, 2; men stole her husband’s money 4. He was the lawyer who Booker T. Washington ...... 40 and business; 5. A helped Mum Bett win her 1. A; 2. C; 3. 5, 1, 2, 4, 3; freedom; Mum Bett lived in Solomon Northup...... 25 4. It was the school that Booker T. Sheffield, Massachusetts; Massa- 1. A; 2. D; 3. 2, 5, 4, 1, 3; 4. He Washington started; Black people chusetts ended slavery in the lived in New York State; He was went to the Tuskegee Institute; He state because of her case; She given the name Platt when he heard about a school for black changed her name to show how was a slave; He was sold as a people while working in a mine; proud she was to be free; 5. D slave in 1841; Bass was a white A school day at Tuskegee went Phillis Wheatley ...... 13 carpenter who helped Solomon from 5:00 A.M. to 9:30 P.M. (16.5 send a letter to his family; 5. B hours long); 5. A 1. A; 2. D; 3. 4, 5, 1, 3, 2; 4. She was Phillis Wheatley’s Frederick Douglass ...... 28 George Washington Carver ...43 owner; She was luckier than 1. C; 2. D; 3. 2, 4, 3, 5, 1; 4. The 1. C; 2. B; 3. 4, 5, 3, 2, 1; many slaves because Mrs. North Star was the newspaper 4. He taught people about Wheatley treated her like a Frederick Douglass started; He plants; Booker T. Washington daughter; “Phillis” was the name traveled to the North by train; started the school where George of the ship that carried the stolen He ran away in 1838; He met taught; He believed that farmers girl from Africa to Boston; She with President Lincoln; 5. B in the South needed help; He was the first African American to Harriet Tubman ...... 31 invented new ways to use these publish a book of poems; 5. B plants; 5. D 1. D; 2. A; 3. 5, 2, 1, 4, 3; David Walker ...... 16 4. The Underground Railroad Ida B. Wells-Barnett ...... 46 1. C; 2. A; 3. 4, 2, 5, 1, 3; was a secret system of safe 1. A; 2. B; 3. 4, 3, 5, 1, 2; 4. His friends asked him to houses and friendly people that 4. The Alpha Suffrage Club move to Canada; The name of helped slaves escape to freedom; taught black women about their his book was Walker’s Appeal; She worked on the Underground rights; She sued a railroad; Ida He wrote his first piece about Railroad from 1850 to 1860; The went to England; She marched slavery in 1829; He smuggled first slaves she went South to in the Illinois group between copies of his book into the help were her sister, nieces, and two white friends; 5. A South by sewing them into nephews; She helped the North Mary Church Terrell ...... 49 people’s clothing; 5. A by spying on the South; 5. B 1. D; 2. C; 3. 3, 2, 5, 1, 4; Sojourner Truth ...... 19 Robert Smalls ...... 34 4. She was raised in comfort and 1. C; 2. A; 3. 5, 1, 4, 3, 2; 1. A; 2. C; 3. 1, 3, 2, 4, 5; luxury; She married a lawyer 4. He was the slave Isabella 4. He was a slave who worked named Robert Terrell; She was was forced to marry; Her book on the boats and docks of born in Memphis, Tennessee; was about her life as a slave; In Charleston Harbor; The name of She fought against separation of 1843, she decided to spend her the ship he took was the Planter; the races by writing for newspa- life helping other people; She He lived in Charleston, South pers, giving speeches, and lived in a small Dutch village in Carolina; He took down the writing a book; 5. D New York; 5. C Southern flag and put up a white bedsheet in its place; 5. B