Non-fiction: American Heroes American Heroes Celebrate Black History Month February is Black History Month. During this time, we remember important African Americans. Read about four people who made history. Jackie Robinson (1919 1972) In 1947, Jackie Robinson changed history. He became the first African American to play major league baseball. He played for the Brooklyn Dodgers. Until then, African Americans were not allowed to play in the major leagues. AP Images Rosa Parks (1913 2005) Rosa Parks spent her life fighting for equal rights. Those rights make sure all people are treated fairly. In 1955, Parks was arrested in Alabama for not giving up her bus seat to a white person. Her brave act helped change unfair laws. William Philpoot/Reuters 1 Article: Copyright 2009 Weekly Reader Corporation. All rights reserved. Weekly Reader is a registered trademark of Weekly Reader Corporation. Used by permission.
Non-fiction: American Heroes George Washington Carver (1864 1943) George Washington Carver was an inventor. He was born on a farm in Missouri. He found more than 300 new uses for peanuts. Those uses include making soap, glue, and paint. Carver also taught people better ways to farm. Getty Images Marian Anderson (1897 1993) Marian Anderson was a famous singer. In 1955, she became the first African American to sing a leading role at the Metropolitan Opera. That is an opera house in New York City. She was also the first African American to sing at the White House. Bettman/Corbis Article: Copyright 2009 Weekly Reader Corporation. All rights reserved. Weekly Reader is a registered trademark of Weekly Reader Corporation. Used by permission. 2
Questions: American Heroes Name: Date: Directions: Answer the following four questions based on the information in the passage. 1. When is Black History Month? 2. What do we do during Black History Month? 3. If an African American baseball player wanted to join the Yankees in 1930, would he have been able to do so? Why or why not? 4. What is this passage mostly about? 1
Questions: American Heroes Directions: Please read the sentence below and then write the word or phrase that best answers the questions. The first answer has been provided for you. Rosa Parks was arrested in Alabama for not giving up her bus seat to a white person. Who? Rosa Parks 5. (was) What? 6. Where? 7. Why? 2
Questions: American Heroes 8. The question below is an incomplete sentence. Choose the word that best completes the sentence. No African American had played major league baseball before him, Jackie Robinson made history when he joined the Brooklyn Dodgers. A but B because C so Directions: Read the vocabulary word and definition below. Then answer questions 9 and 10. Vocabulary Word: leading (lead ing): describes someone or something that is most important; describes someone or something that is in front. 9. Read the sentences below and underline all forms of the word leading. a. I was excited that I was chosen to be Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, because it is the leading role in the play. b. John was leading the race until Tony ran past him and won. c. The leading doctor at the hospital gave a discussion on how to stay healthy during flu season. d. The leading singer on American Idol is usually the one that wins the contest. e. Some people like leading others more than following. 10. Who is a leading figure in American government? 3
Teacher Guide and Answer Key: American Heroes Teacher Guide and Answer Key Passage Reading Level: Lexile 650 Featured Text Structure: Enumerative the writer includes a list, giving examples of something. This text structure is often combined with cause/effect or problem/solution. Passage Summary: American Heroes explains that February is Black History Month and that we remember important African Americans at this time. It discusses four famous African Americans: Jackie Robinson, Rosa Parks, George Washington Carver, and Marian Anderson. To the Teacher: Read the passage aloud to the class [TIP: while reading aloud, show the passage on a whiteboard or give each student a copy of the passage so they can follow along]. Then, use the text-dependent questions 1-8 to facilitate a whole class discussion to ensure students comprehend the key details from the passage. Finally, use questions 9-10 to deep teach one important vocabulary word [TIP: you can use the model provided for teaching additional vocabulary]. 1. When is Black History Month? [Important Detail] Suggested answer: Black History Month is every February. [paragraph 1] 2. What do we do during Black History Month? [Important Detail] Suggested answer: During Black History Month, we remember and celebrate important African Americans. [paragraph 1] 3. If an African American baseball player wanted to join the Yankees in 1930, would he have been able to do so? Why or why not? [Inferential] Suggested answer: No. Jackie Robinson was the first African American allowed to play major league baseball, which happened later, in 1947. [paragraph 2] 4. What is this passage mostly about? [Main Idea] Suggested answer: This passage is about famous African American heroes. 1
Teacher Guide and Answer Key: American Heroes Directions: Please read the sentence below and then write the word or phrase that best answers the questions. The first answer has been provided for you. Rosa Parks was arrested in Alabama for not giving up her bus seat to a white person. Who? Rosa Parks 5. (was) What? was arrested 6. Where? in Alabama 7. Why? for not giving up her bus seat to a white person 8. The question below is an incomplete sentence. Choose the word that best completes the sentence. No African American had played major league baseball before him, Jackie Robinson made history when he joined the Brooklyn Dodgers. A but B because C so To the Teacher: ReadWorks recommends that you teach this vocabulary word to the whole class out loud using the four steps listed below. Vocabulary Word: leading (lead ing): describes someone or something that is most important; describes someone or something that is in front. Step 1: Introduce the word a. Teacher writes the word on the board and divides it into syllables: (lead ing) b. Teacher says: This word is leading. What is the word? [All students reply together out loud: Leading. ] Step 2: Provide a child-friendly definition a. Teacher says: Leading describes someone or something that is most important. Leading can also describe something that is in front. So the leading car of a train is at the front. 2
Teacher Guide and Answer Key: American Heroes b. Teacher says: The passage states that Marian Anderson was the first African American to sing in a leading role at the Metropolitan Opera. She was the first African American to have the most important role at this famous opera house. c. Teacher says: What is the word? [All students reply together out loud: Leading. ] Step 3: Practice the word Teacher provides examples and additional opportunities to repeat the word. Read the first sentence out loud to your students. Begin reading it again and when you come to the vocabulary word prompt students to say the vocabulary word out loud. Then, finish reading the sentence out loud to your students. Directions: Read the vocabulary word and definition below. Then answer questions 9 and 10. Vocabulary Word: leading (lead ing): describes someone or something that is most important; describes something that is in front. 9. Read the sentences below and underline all forms of the word leading. a. I was excited that I was chosen to be Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, because it is the leading role in the play. b. John was leading the race until Tony ran past him and won. c. The leading doctor at the hospital gave a discussion on how to stay healthy during flu season. d. The leading singer on American Idol is usually the one that wins the contest. e. Some people like leading others more than following. Step 4: Check for student understanding To the Teacher: This step can be completed as a whole class activity or as an independent practice. 10. Who is a leading figure in American government? Suggested Additional Vocabulary: equal rights, arrested, unfair, inventor 3