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Standards
These resources are aligned to social justice standards developed by Learning For Justice.
Diversity 8 DI.3-5.8
I want to know more about other people’s lives and experiences, and I know how to ask questions respectfully and listen carefully and non-judgmentally.
Justice 11 JU.3-5.11
I try and get to know people as individuals because I know it is unfair to think all people in a shared identity group are the same.
Justice 15 JU.3-5.15
I know about the actions of people and groups who have worked throughout history to bring more justice and fairness to the world.
A list of all social justice standards are available here.
“Trailblazers and Inspiring Voices” spotlights Black heroes past and present who have helped shape American history. From Black cowboys of the Old West to daring pilot Bessie Coleman, the subjects of these stories are brave pioneers who broke barriers and ventured where few had gone before. Students will come away inspired to forge their own paths and achieve their goals, knowing others have done so even in the face of adversity and injustice.
Ask students if they know what the word trailblazer means. Explain that a trailblazer is someone who makes, does, or discovers something new. Invite students to share examples of trailblazers, whether historical figures or people from their own lives, and briefly discuss why each person’s contributions were important.
Below you will find terms students will come across as they read the stories in this section. Project the list for the class. Ask students to write down the terms whose meanings they would like to find out or understand better. Review terms in advance or as they come up in the stories. (Definitions can be found in our Vocabulary section.)
Invite students to choose one or more of the following stories to read independently or in small groups. Alternatively, you may choose to read the articles aloud to the class or do the play Go! as a class read-aloud.
“Legends of the Wild West”
“Flying Into History”
“Frozen Dreams”
“Bear Protector”
“Hidden Hero”
“Setting the Record Straight”
“8 Things to Know About Amanda Gorman”
Go! (Play)
After reading, select from the following questions to prompt whole-class or small-group discussions. Alternatively, students can respond in writing.
Invite students to choose a project to dig deeper and connect with their own lives.
Write and illustrate a picture book biography to introduce other kids to one of the people you read about and what this person achieved.
Imagine that your town wants to put up a new statue of an inspiring American. Write a letter to town leaders explaining why one of the people you read about should be chosen as the subject for the statue, using details from the article you read.
Draw or paint a portrait of one of the people you read about. Include a caption that describes this person’s accomplishments and why those achievements are important.
If you could interview one of the people you read about, what would you ask him or her? Write down a list of questions, then go online to do research to try to find the answers.
Take me back to the Teaching Our World homepage.