We Are The Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball

Theme:Analytical Thinking Skills, Creative Responses to Literature, Appreciating African American Culture in the United States

Grades:3 - 5

Subject:Reading and Language Arts, Social Studies

Duration: 2 class periods

Standards
& Goals

1. Reading and Responding

      1.2 Students interpret, analyze and evaluate text in order to extend understanding and appreciation.

      1.4 Students communicate with others to create interpretations of written, oral and visual texts.

Objectives:

Students will: 
 

• Listen to and discuss We Are The Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball by Kadir Nelson both literally and analytically
• Complete three activities in a choice board based on the book. 

Preparation:

• Copies of We Are The Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball by Kadir Nelson
• Access to the Learning Through Listening website to access student copies and an overhead copy of the Choice Board

• An overhead projector and markers
• Copies of a blank Venn diagram
• Publishing and writing materials for the activities on the Choice Board

(Note: for students that learn through listening, have audio versions of the book available. This title is available from RFB&D. Playback system will also be needed.)

Procedures:

Introduction:

• Prior to teaching the lesson, review the Choice Board strategy in the Strategies and Activities section on the Learning Through Listening website.
• Preview the book with the students. Show them the illustrations.
• Discuss what the students know about baseball and segregation.

Instruction:

• Using the overhead projector, show the students the Choice Board for the book.
• Discuss the activities in each square. Make sure the students have a thorough understanding of the activities in each square.

Practice:

• Distribute student copies of the Choice Board.
• Allow students to complete the Choice Board independently, in pairs or cooperative groups.

Wrap-up:

• Allow the students time to share their favorite response from the Choice Board.
• Ask the students to share what they learned from reading this book. How would baseball be different today if Jackie Robinson had not crossed the color line and played in the major leagues?

Assessment:

• Participation in class discussion.
• Ability to complete three activities on the Choice Board with at least 75% accuracy.

Differentiated Instruction Lesson Tips

 

Assign specific squares to students who may need help in certain areas.

Assign students to complete the four corners or all the squares as a challenge.

Leave one square blank and have the students design an activity for it.