Planning Notes

Tori,
I know we have talked a little bit about the nonfiction resources project but she
wanted our plans in a document so I have now made one. We can use this to
communicate but it will not tell me if you added something unless you reshare. At
least that is my experience. Not sure if you want to do Social Studies or Science. I
am fine with either and already have some ideas we can use for lower grades
because that is what I have taught before. Just let me know what you think. I think
if we keep our font/color different she will be able to easily see our planning.
Jessica
Hey Jessica,

I’d love to do social studies if we can, and you can pick whatever grade and we’ll go
from there?
Tori
Tori,
Well when I was thinking about social studies and possible ideas I thought about the
book Henry's Freedom Box. I am sure we can find a lot of good resources to go
along with slavery. I would say that’s probably a 5th-6th grade subject. If you want
to do that we can, it was just the first book that popped up in my thoughts when I
was thinking about this. Plus there are so many different books I think it would
make it not too difficult and fun. Just let me know.
Jessica
Jessica,

That sounds fine with me. What parts of the assignment would you prefer to tackle? I
think splitting up both the collecting print titles and the annotations would be a good
idea, and then one of us could select the audio. Henry’s Freedom Box would be the
picture book? I’ve never read it but it says it’s a picture book.

I’m going to ask at the end of class how many print titles she would prefer, and I guess
we’ll go off of that. I think six would be ideal, with each of us doing three?
Tori
Tori,
Yes, Henry’s Freedom Box is a picture book and it is really good. I haven’t read the
whole thing only skimmed through it a few times when I was thinking of reading it. I
think splitting things up would be great. I did find this link that may can give us a
few ideas. I would love to see if we could find a graphic novel too. Let’s see what
she says about how many titles and we will figure out what to do next.
https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/blog-posts/christy-crawford/teaching-about-
slavery-elementary-classroom/
Jessica
Jessica:
Graphic novel: maybe this one – http://cbldf.org/2014/02/using-graphic-novels-in-
education-nat-turner/

Depends on your view of violence.

There’s a graphic novel in the link you shared, too if you want to use that one.
The link you shared is really helpful!
Tori
Tori
Yes, we could possibly use that one I forgot it was in that link. I was just thinking
that it doesn’t have to be so specific as slavery but just Black History. That will
open up even more choices to pick from.
Jessica
Jessica,

I think whichever topic is totally fine. I actually have the first March graphic novel by
John Lewis on my bookshelf now, so that could work for Black History. Since she said
10-12 sources, we can do five or six each – whatever you would prefer.
Tori
Tori,
Doing 5-6 sounds good and I do think there will be a lot more sources for Black
History than just slavery and we may find more books that may not be as violent
that way. So that we don’t have to worry about violence as much. We should share
what we find on here so we are not duplicating what we are doing.
Jessica
Jessica,
That makes sense to me. I was thinking we could just write our materials and
annotations down here to get feedback from each other. Would you like me to find an
audio source since we could use Henry’s Freedom box as the picture book source?
Tori
Tori,
Yes that sounds good to me. That way we can share the annotations too. That
would be good I feel like I am not as good at annotations need to practice more lol
Jessica
Jessica,
I’ve gotten 4.5 out of 5 on both of mine I think, so if you need any help let me know. But
I’ll probably work on getting the sources this weekend and will aim to have my stuff in
here by Sunday. Just to let you know my plan, but not to put pressure on you at all.
Tori
Tori
I believe I got a 4 on both actually. Just always feel I don’t do them correctly when
I am working on them.
Jessica
Jessica,
I feel you on that. My feedback was that I was too long on the first one for Inside Out
and Back Again, and didn’t mention the music that set the audiobook of Stella By
Starlight apart from others in the second one. So I guess be more descriptive in less
words? Lol the Hemingway approach to summary.
Tori
Tori,
Oh yeah understand that, my comments have been that I am not being concise
enough on both of them. I try not to write too much because I always worry
about them and I tell my students not to give away the story so I think I do that and
don’t give enough information sometimes.
Jessica
Jessica,
I literally just wing it, try to write it a while after I’ve read the book so it’s not super-fresh
on my mind, and try not to think too much about it. Once I start thinking, I then start
over-thinking, and then I’ve just ruined it.
Tori
Tori
I Just found something else interesting. Just wanting to share
https://booktoss.blog/2016/01/18/black-history-in-graphic-novels/
 Jessica
Jessica,
I just found the first book in the UNCG catalog myself! Lol I found this GN too in the
catalog that looks interesting: http://uncg.worldcat.org/title/in-the-shadow-of-liberty-the-
hidden-history-of-slavery-four-presidents-and-five-black-
lives/oclc/935492886&referer=brief_results
Tori
Tori,
That sounds interesting we just need to be sure it is appropriate for the grade
level because not everything we find will be appropriate for 5th and 6th graders.
Jessica
Tori,
Just checking in. I have a copy of Henry’s Freedom Box a graphic novel I found
called Strange Fruit which tells multiple stories of different african american
historical figures in one graphic novel and I also have Freedom in Congo square
which is about the struggles of African Americans in early New Orleans. I am
working on annotations for these and finding a few more will post them here when
I finish them.
Jessica
Jessica,

I’ve listed my print resources below as well as the audio resource. I’ll have the annotations up
soon.

Davis, K. C. (2016). In the Shadow of Liberty: The Hidden History of Slavery, Four Presidents,
and Five Black Lives.
Levinson, C. (2012). We've Got A Job: The 1963 Birmingham Children's March.
Partridge, E., Hoover, J. (2009). Marching for Freedom: Walk Together, Children, and Don't You
Grow Weary.
Pinkney, A. D., & Pinkney, J. B. (2012). Hand in Hand: Ten Black Men Who Changed America.
Sheinkin, S. (2014). The Port Chicago 50: Disaster, Mutiny, and The Fight for Civil Rights.
Stone, T. L., Bryan, A. (2013). Courage Has No Color: The True Story of the Triple Nickles:
America's First Black Paratroopers.

Audio: BBC Podcast –

The Children’s Crusade, Witness - BBC World Service. (2013). Retrieved December 1, 2017,
from http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p017k0n5
Tori
 Annotations of Materials – Tori
PRINT MATERIALS

Davis, K. C. (2016). In the Shadow of Liberty: The Hidden History of Slavery, Four Presidents, and
Five Black Lives. New York, NY: Henry Holt and Company.

The shadow of liberty is dark and full of danger, as illustrated by Davis’s look into the lives of the slaves

of some of the founding fathers of the United States. George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James

Madison, and Andrew Jackson are names every student knows, but the names of their slaves have been

ignored by historians. The nonfiction account of slavery during the early years of the United States looks

into the conditions and lives of slaves and specifically tells the story of William Lee, Ona Judge, Isaac

Granger, Paul Jennings, and Alfred Jackson – all considered to be property of some of the most powerful

men in America. Students are able to refer to comprehensive source notes and a thorough index to explore

the topics offered in the book as well as additional materials. Illustrations include political cartoons,

diagrams, and depictions of slave quarters for full insight into the time period.

Levinson, C. (2012). We've Got a Job: The 1963 Birmingham Children's March. Atlanta, GA:
Peachtree Publishers.

Levinson explains the atmosphere during the Civil Rights movement during the 1960s by focusing on the

children of the movement, providing factual evidence from three children who were at the forefront of

“separate, not equal.” The march transforms from a historical event to a march in the past led by children

who were courageous and brave, who understood their actions could result in their deaths, giving students

a relatable story that is fully understandable. Actual quotations from participants retain colloquial

language and phrases, while the book’s large print in two columns provides a friendly reading experience.
Levinson provides photos from the time period, a timeline that plots the events leading up to and after the

march, and even a map of the marches taken by the children.

Partridge, E., Hoover, J., & Viking Press. (2009). Marching for Freedom: Walk Together,
Children, and Don't You Grow Weary. New York, NY: Viking.

Taking its subtitle from the African American spiritual frequently quoted by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,

Marching for Freedom pieces the year of 1965 together to better understand the Selma-Montgomery

march. Partridge combines public record with interviews of those who marched to focus on the people

who made the masses instead of the leaders themselves. Jim Crow, poor legislation, and the history of

slavery are all touched on to help students understand how the Civil Rights movement became so large –

to the point where thousands of people were marching to change history. Large print and even larger

photos engage the visual reader while the narrative nonfiction style makes the material seem even more

realistic, creating a stronger historical account.

Pinkney, A. D., & Pinkney, J. B. (2012). Hand in Hand: Ten Black Men Who Changed America. New
York: Disney/Jump at the Sun Books.

Hand in Hand concentrates on the lives of Benjamin Banneker, Frederick Douglass, Booker T.

Washington, W.E.B. DuBois, A. Philip Randolph, Thurgood Marshall, Jackie Robinson, Malcom X,

Martin Luther King, Jr., and Barack Obama. By linking the lives of some of the most impactful African

American men in history, Andrea Pinkney aims to demolish the negative depictions and stereotypes of

African American males in society today. The author’s narrative style transforms the nonfiction

biographical information into stories that remain true. The paintings by Brian Pinkney bring a refreshing

and unique style to the biographical content, making the book seem even more like a fiction format,

keeping students interested in the large print text while a timeline at the back gives context to the time

periods of each man.

Sheinkin, S., & Roaring Brook Press. (2014). The Port Chicago 50: Disaster, Mutiny, and The Fight
for Civil Rights. New York: Roaring Brook Press.

Even while risking their lives for their country, African American servicemen were discriminated against

and segregated and The Port Chicago 50: Disaster, Mutiny, and The Fight for Civil Rights illuminates

just how complicated life was for African American servicemen. Short chapters describe the history

behind an explosion of Port Chicago, California, that took the lives of more than 300 men and left the

docks unsafe for workers. Advanced students more interested in reading will appreciate the regular text

size and photos from the past that explain how a protest turned into mutiny and a demand for equal rights.

Research taken from oral histories, interviews from the sailors themselves, as well as trial transcripts

come together to tell the story of how African American servicemen had two fights – one at home as well

as the one abroad.

Stone, T. L., Bryan, A., & Candlewick Press,. (2013). Courage Has No Color: The True Story of the
Triple Nickles: America's First Black Paratroopers. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press.

With a foreword by African-American World War II veteran Ashley Bryan, Courage Has No Color

begins with a commendation from someone who lived during the time period and served in the armed

forces just like the Triple Nickles. From explaining the basic courage needed to jump out of a plain and

parachute to the earth to the courage to earn and then justify the right to serve as a United States

serviceman, the nonfiction account of the Triple Nickles shows how African-American soldiers had to

fight to be seen as soldiers and not servants. Stone addresses the complicated emotions behind

nationalism of a country that discriminates against the very soldiers it sends to war in a conversational

tone that provides facts in an understandable manner. Large photos and text, along with watermarked

backgrounds make the read a feast for the eyes as well.

AUDIO MATERIAL

The Children’s Crusade, Witness - BBC World Service. (2013). Retrieved December 1, 2017, from
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p017k0n5

The BBC’s Witness Podcast focuses on the Civil Rights movement and the role children played in the

time period where Jim Crow reigned and African-Americans were “equal, but separate.” Gwendolyn

Webb marched in what was known as the Children’s Crusade and speaks about tensions within her own

family as well as the ones she experienced in society just because of her skin color. Students will relate to

a story from a woman who was not much older than they are and will listen to the witness’s mindset in a

time of change that made history. The podcast speaks about the treatment African-Americans received for

attempting to exercise their right to march, and audio of African-American music sets the historical tone.

The audio can be paired with the print materials that also focus on the Civil Rights movement specifically

for additional insight into the time period.

Annotations- Jessica

Gill, J. C. (2014). Strange fruit; Uncelebrated Narratives from Black history / Uncelebrated

Narratives from Black History. Golden, CO: Consortium Book Sales & Dist.

Strange Fruit is a graphic novel that depicts stories of many different figures

throughout African American History. It tells of the struggles and successes. It also

provides facts and information about the people mentioned in the novel through a

Bibliography and informational piece at the end of the novel. This graphic novel tells multiple

stories of various African Americans throughout history. The coloring of the pictures

varies throughout the book. The darkness of some despite the seriousness of what is

going on in that part of the story. However, spots of bright color emerge when needed

to depict things in another light.

Weatherford, C. B., & Christie, R. G. (2016). Freedom in Congo Square. NY, NY: Little Bee

Books.

Freedom in Congo Square is about African American slaves living in Louisiana. It tells about

the day to day lives of slaves living in New Orleans. It describes how one day a week slaves

had a found time to celebrate their culture and traditions. This nonfiction picture book

describes what life as a slave was like in a simplistic rhyme. The pictures within the story

also are similar to that of African American artwork. It also tells about Congo Square

where slaves would gather to share in tradition and culture on their only day free from

work. The Forward and Author's note tells how important Congo Square has become in

Louisiana. Congo Square has since become a center point for Creole culture and African

American tradition.

Skelton, R. (2005). Harriet Tubman, a woman of courage. New York: Harper Collins.

This story tells about the life of Harriet Tubman. It describes her life as a conductor of

the Underground Railroad. It also talks about her courage and all the things that she

accomplished after the Underground Railroad. It provides the reader with facts and

information about her life. This Biography tells Harriet Tubman's life story. Printed in

participation with Time magazine, this book provides a lot of useful information in a

format of pictures and text. It also puts her life story in a condensed format that is easy

for students to understand.

Williams, C. (2002). The Underground Railroad. Chanhassen, MN: Childs World.

This book is part of a set of books about the Journey to Freedom of African

Americans. The particular book is about the underground railroad. It tells about the

creation of the underground railroad and important figures through the time of the

underground railroad. It also tells how clues were hidden in plain sight for those who knew

what to look for. This book has many photographs and paintings that show what the

people actually looked like. It describes the abolitionist movement and what was taking place

to that caused the creation of the underground railroad. It also introduces key figures in

African American History, such as Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman. The detailed

descriptions along with the wonderful images give readers the chance to see what was

going on during this time.

Williams, J. K. (2003). African-Americans in the colonies. Minneapolis, MN: Compass Point

Books.

This book teaches the reader about the lives of African Americans in the Colonies. It

provides information to help the reader understand the beginnings of slavery in America. It

teaches about how America's freedom from Britain did not make African Americans

Free. This book has maps and drawings that show the colonies and what life was like their

particularly for African American slaves. The back of the book also provides a timeline

of important events relating to African Americans within this time period. It provides a list
of important figures and why they are important in the back of the book as well as a list

of other books where you may find more information.

Levine, E., & Nelson, K. (2007). Henrys Freedom Box. New York: Scholastic Press.

This book is about Henry Brown a slave who was able to escape slavery through his

cunning idea of shipping himself to freedom in a large box. It shows the struggles of losing

his wife and family that caused him to decide that he must leave this land of slavery for

one of freedom. It also shows his challenges in being shipped in the box for such a long

journey. This book has wonderful images by the talented illustrator Kadir Nelson. The

coloring of the pictures displays the emotion that connects with the characters struggles

throughout the story. The images themselves show a lot of emotion in losing his family and

finally reaching his destination.