This is a Web Quest I created to teach about the Civil Rights Movement from some lesser know figures. It uses the poem Ellington Was Not a Street by Ntozake Shang as a catalyst to investigate the lives of Paul Robeson, W.E.B. Dubois, Dizzy Gillespie, Duke Ellington, Jackie Robinson and Joe “The Brown Bomber” Luis. This lesson plan demonstrates my use of technology and integration of content areas. I use music, sports, literature, and entertainment to provide a new approach to a staple of American history.
Introduction
In Ellington Was Not a Street, Ntozake Shange describes growing up “…In the company of men who changed the world.” Who where Paul Robeson, W.E.B. DuBois, Dizzy Gillespie, Duke Ellington and Virgil “Honey Bear” Akins and what made them men who changed the world? What does Shange mean by “It hasn’t always been this way?”
Colorado Model Content Standards
HISTORY STANDARD 5.1 Students understand how democratic ideas and institutions in the
United States have developed, changed, and/or been maintained.
Grades 5-8
• giving examples of extensions and restrictions of political and civil rights in United States history.
Task
Analyze the Civil Rights Movement from the point of the lesser known activists in history. Investigate the lives of Paul Robeson, W.E.B. DuBois, Dizzy Gillespie, Duke Ellington and Virgil “Honey Bear” Akins and determine what part they played in the Civil Rights Movement. You should leave this WebQuest with an understanding that the Civil Rights Movement was not just about Rosa Parks, Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. but that many people played important roles in gaining rights for African Americans.
Process
We are going to be looking at five “Men who changed the world,” so each person in your group should choose one. Draw names from a cup and set to work learning about these men. Once you have taken a look at the web sites and understand how your person changed the world, get back together in your group and discuss what you found. Don’t forget our initial questions; what made them men who changed the world? What does Shange mean by “It hasn’t always been this way?” You should be prepared to share what you found with the class. Let’s get started!
Learning Strategy
Students will be summarizing information from reading the websites and watching the You Tube video as well as grouping these historical figures into the context of the Civil Rights Movement. Students will also be using cooperation in their group discussions and the final class discussion about what they found.
Resources
What is the NAACP? What did W.E.B. DuBois have to do with the NAACP?
At Drop Me Off in Harlem you will be able to find W.E.B DuBois, Duke Ellington and Paul Robeson. Be sure to look at the intersections help understand what was happening in Harlem. This may help you to answer what Shange means by “It hasn’t always been this way?”
The African American Odyssey also has information about Duke Ellington and Paul Robeson as well as many other “Players” in the Civil Rights Movement. Take a look at a movie clip of Paul Robeson. Listen to Duke Ellington and Ella Fitzgerald.
Dizzy Gillespie’s story is a bit more challenging but your work will be rewarded as he was a colorful character that became known worldwide. Take a look at these sites and you will see what I mean. Dizzy for President! Let’s listen to a little of his early music.
Virgil “Honey Bear” Akins was one of many athletes who helped to break the color barrier. Let’s take a look at a few of them. Jackie Robinson endured intense hatred in a sport as American as apple pie. Joe “The Brown Bomber” Luis was a world champion boxer like Akins but he carried the hopes of America on his shoulders when he fought Max Schmeling prior to WWII. There are two reasons that is the timing of this fight so important. What are they?
Evaluation
You will be evaluated on your ability to answer our two questions. Be able to tell us who your person is and how he changed the world. Additionally, what do you think Shange means by “It hasn’t always been this way?”
Conclusion
Now that you understand these men, let’s consider one more thing. Almost everyone loves sports and/or music. People that don’t otherwise have anything in common are often united by sports or music. Baseball and Jazz were very popular during the life of these men. How do you think this affected the Civil Rights Movement?
Credits & References
The picture of Dizzy Gillespie was found at www.growabrain.typepad.com/.../dizzy.jpg
In Ellington Was Not a Street, Ntozake Shange describes growing up “…In the company of men who changed the world.” Who where Paul Robeson, W.E.B. DuBois, Dizzy Gillespie, Duke Ellington and Virgil “Honey Bear” Akins and what made them men who changed the world? What does Shange mean by “It hasn’t always been this way?”
Colorado Model Content Standards
HISTORY STANDARD 5.1 Students understand how democratic ideas and institutions in the
United States have developed, changed, and/or been maintained.
Grades 5-8
• giving examples of extensions and restrictions of political and civil rights in United States history.
Task
Analyze the Civil Rights Movement from the point of the lesser known activists in history. Investigate the lives of Paul Robeson, W.E.B. DuBois, Dizzy Gillespie, Duke Ellington and Virgil “Honey Bear” Akins and determine what part they played in the Civil Rights Movement. You should leave this WebQuest with an understanding that the Civil Rights Movement was not just about Rosa Parks, Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. but that many people played important roles in gaining rights for African Americans.
Process
We are going to be looking at five “Men who changed the world,” so each person in your group should choose one. Draw names from a cup and set to work learning about these men. Once you have taken a look at the web sites and understand how your person changed the world, get back together in your group and discuss what you found. Don’t forget our initial questions; what made them men who changed the world? What does Shange mean by “It hasn’t always been this way?” You should be prepared to share what you found with the class. Let’s get started!
Learning Strategy
Students will be summarizing information from reading the websites and watching the You Tube video as well as grouping these historical figures into the context of the Civil Rights Movement. Students will also be using cooperation in their group discussions and the final class discussion about what they found.
Resources
What is the NAACP? What did W.E.B. DuBois have to do with the NAACP?
At Drop Me Off in Harlem you will be able to find W.E.B DuBois, Duke Ellington and Paul Robeson. Be sure to look at the intersections help understand what was happening in Harlem. This may help you to answer what Shange means by “It hasn’t always been this way?”
The African American Odyssey also has information about Duke Ellington and Paul Robeson as well as many other “Players” in the Civil Rights Movement. Take a look at a movie clip of Paul Robeson. Listen to Duke Ellington and Ella Fitzgerald.
Dizzy Gillespie’s story is a bit more challenging but your work will be rewarded as he was a colorful character that became known worldwide. Take a look at these sites and you will see what I mean. Dizzy for President! Let’s listen to a little of his early music.
Virgil “Honey Bear” Akins was one of many athletes who helped to break the color barrier. Let’s take a look at a few of them. Jackie Robinson endured intense hatred in a sport as American as apple pie. Joe “The Brown Bomber” Luis was a world champion boxer like Akins but he carried the hopes of America on his shoulders when he fought Max Schmeling prior to WWII. There are two reasons that is the timing of this fight so important. What are they?
Evaluation
You will be evaluated on your ability to answer our two questions. Be able to tell us who your person is and how he changed the world. Additionally, what do you think Shange means by “It hasn’t always been this way?”
Conclusion
Now that you understand these men, let’s consider one more thing. Almost everyone loves sports and/or music. People that don’t otherwise have anything in common are often united by sports or music. Baseball and Jazz were very popular during the life of these men. How do you think this affected the Civil Rights Movement?
Credits & References
The picture of Dizzy Gillespie was found at www.growabrain.typepad.com/.../dizzy.jpg
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