CHAMPIONS OF CHANGE:
EXPLORING PERSPECTIVES IN BLACK HISTORY
Exploring the deep roots of civil rights and black history, we will examine the thematic concepts of identity and perspective. We will do this by reading mentor text picture books, novels, and nonfiction texts which provide evidence to help us understand how childhood experiences shaped the identity of famous historical black figures and how civil rights struggles impacted changes in perspective of both society and the historical figures we are learning about . We will use the following essential questions to drive our exploration of these 2 concepts.
Identity:
Perspective:
Identity:
- How do people "see" themselves?
- What shapes identity?
- Is identity constant? (Does it change?)
Perspective:
- Why doesn't everyone agree?
- What shapes/influences perspective? (Why are there different perspectives?)
- When/why does perspective change
- Why consider/think about different perspectives?
TASK:
You will choose to research a specific black historical figure who has played a significant role in civil rights.
Throughout your research, you will consider how childhood events shaped the IDENTITY of the person, and how civil rights events impacted THEIR PERSPECTIVE and that of SOCIETY.
Based on that research, you will #1) construct a biographical report on your chosen figure and #2) create a Fakebook page written from first-person perspective of that historical figure.
See process details below for directions, criteria, and helpful links.
Throughout your research, you will consider how childhood events shaped the IDENTITY of the person, and how civil rights events impacted THEIR PERSPECTIVE and that of SOCIETY.
Based on that research, you will #1) construct a biographical report on your chosen figure and #2) create a Fakebook page written from first-person perspective of that historical figure.
See process details below for directions, criteria, and helpful links.
PROCESS:
TASK #1: You will compose a nonfiction research report on your historical figure using the following format & criteria
TASK #2: Create a FAKEBOOK written from the first-person perspective of the historical figure you have researched and written about.
**NOTE: Use the links below and this planning rubric, to collect research notes and create your essay draft.
- Introduction: Include a QUOTE from your person either in the introduction or conclusion (or both).
- Childhood: How did childhood events shape their IDENTITY.
- Prominent Event: What was the PERSPECTIVE of the time (both THEIRS and that of SOCIETY) surrounding the major event(s) in this person's life and work.
- Legacy: How did they CHANGE the PERSPECTIVE of others within black culture and society as a whole.
- Conclusion: Include a QUOTE from your person either in the introduction or conclusion (or both).
- Please see the evaluation rubric for guidelines and expectations for your project and narrative.
- NOTE: You MUST complete this research report and have approval from your teacher before continuing onto TASK #2 below.
TASK #2: Create a FAKEBOOK written from the first-person perspective of the historical figure you have researched and written about.
- Using the research you collected for the report you wrote (see above), create a Fakebook page for your historical figure.
- This must be written in FIRST-PERSON point of view, from the PERSPECTIVE of your chosen character.
- You will add to their Fakebook timeline, starting with birth, documenting the same key components of their life that you wrote about in your research essay: 1) Childhood events that shaped their IDENTITY. 2) Prominent event(s) in their life and work, noting the perspectives on those events at that time. 3) Legacy left behind or created that has CHANGED the perspective of society and/or history.
- Add relevant friends and family who were ACTUAL friends/family of your character, as well as other prominent historical black figures whose IDENTITY, PERSPECTIVE, life work, and legacy align with your character.
**NOTE: Use the links below and this planning rubric, to collect research notes and create your essay draft.