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We are going to explore the accomplishments of individuals and groups who have made contributions to society and whose voices are often "hidden" from the narrative of our history.

Grade 5
Discussion question:  How does an individual's unique life experiences help them contribute to society?

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AASL Information Literacy Standard II ~ Inclusiveness and Respect for Diversity

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AASL Information Literacy Standard II ~ Inclusiveness and Respect for Diversity

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Demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to inclusiveness and respect for diversity in the learning community.

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In 1941, an all African American flying squadron was established in Tuskegee, Alabama. The purpose of this Army Air Corps program was to train African Americans to fly and maintain a combat aircraft. The people involved in this experiment acquired the name "Tuskegee Airmen." Tuskegee Institute, founded by Booker T.

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Malala Yousafzai, 20, has fought for girls' right to education for more than eight years. In 2014, Malala was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize together with children's rights activist Kailash Satyarthi. Malala was 17 at the time, making her the youngest Nobel winner in history.

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Introduction to the lesson

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Scholastic Teaching Tools | Resources for Teachers

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Explore Scholastic Teaching Tools for teaching resources, printables, book lists, and more. Enhance your classroom experience with expert advice!

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"Everybody who is an author-and think about that, we are all authors-and everybody who is an immigrant . . . should be writing their story and telling their story to others," says children's book author and illustrator Yuyi Morales.

In her new picture book, Dreamers, and the Spanish version, Soñadores (Neal Porter Books, September 4, 2018), Morales tells how she and her infant son immigrated to the United States from Mexico in 1994. She may have brought only a small suitcase with her, but she carried so much more.

At a recent author event in New York City, Morales said, "I realized over the years that I brought a lot of gifts-my arms, my hands, my head, my mouth, my strength, and my passion. I brought things from my country that had to do with colors, my dreams, and my hopes."

Morales uses ink drawings and scanned materials for her illustrations. "I scanned a lot of objects that were meaningful," she explained, "whether I grew up with them, or whether they were a part of Mexico, or my house, or even my son's childhood."

At first, Morales did not believe that she had a story worth telling. "I did not cross the border though the desert where I was dying," she said. "But to diminish my coming to the United States means that others should not be proud of what it takes to come to a new place, where you might not have the language or family friends who acknowledge your value or your voice."

Indeed, Morales and her son had to learn English, meet new people, and find a way to make the U.S. their home. In the picture book, they discover a special place: the public library. That is where their imaginations are set free.

"I hope that children can connect to this book," Morales said. "I want to tell many children that I see them. They are already so precious. They have gifts and stories to tell, and we need to hear them."

Here are more highlights from my conversation with Morales, which took place at Books of Wonder:
How would you describe your artistic style?
It's whatever excites me and exploration, just see what comes, and maybe I don't even know how to do it yet. I don't have set materials, although I like painting and photographing, and I like making dolls.
What does it mean to you to have been one of the first Latinas to have won a Caldecott Honor [in 2015]?
You know what was so very special? That same year, Lauren Castillo, who is Latina, also won a Caldecott Honor. That was a really great moment because it acknowledged our art and stories. Our work is as valuable and as strong as the work of other people in the United States.
What is your best advice for aspiring authors and illustrators?
Follow whatever is that fire, that light that calls from inside of you. Do not worry about materials or technique. Everybody can learn. So, especially for children who want to be artists, they already have what they need. They breathe, and their heart beats. They can use their own voice, their own way of telling a story and create. And do not compare yourself with anybody else.

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"Everybody who is an author-and think about that, we are all authors-and everybody who is an immigrant . . . should be writing their story and telling their story to others," says children's book author and illustrator Yuyi Morales.

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Wangari Maathai (1 April 1940 - 25 September 2011) grew up in the green highlands of Kenyan. When she returned from studying college in the US she discovered that her lush homeland was being destroyed by deforestation which caused water and food shortages, malnutrition, and disappearing wildlife. She began to educate others to care for the land and re-plant the forests and they called her Mama Miti, "Mother of Trees." Ms Maathai founded the Green Belt Movement, which empowered woman around Kenya to help take back their land, planting tree by tree.

For her compassion and efforts she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004. She was the first African woman and environmentalist to win a Nobel Peace Prize. Here are resources you can use to teach your children about this inspirational, remarkable woman, and her plight to save her country's landscape. She shows us that one person truly can save the world!
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Begin by reading Wangari Maathai's biography with your children.

Seeds of Change: Planting a Path To Peace , by Sonia Lynn Sadler is an excellet introduction for kids ages 7-11. Not only does this book tell the journey of Wangari Maathai from Kenya, to the US to study biology, and back to travel throughout Kenya planting trees; it also sends a positive message to girls everywhere about determination, strength, and gender equality. My favorite passages:

"Not many native women become scientists," they told her. "I will."

In college, many of Wangari's science professors were women. From them she learned that a woman could do anything she wanted to, even it it hadn't been done before.

"We might not change the big world but we can change the landscape of the forest," she said.

Another biography is Planting the Trees of Kenya: The Story of Wangari Maathai , by Claire A. Nivola. In beautiful watercolors and simple text, this book tells the same story as the previous biography, perhaps for a slightly younger audience. It does not include details about her arrest, but does talk a bit more about her journey around Kenyan educating others about planting trees. Both books are wonderful and can be used in tandem to showcase Wangari Maathai and her incredible work.

After reading the stories, talk about cause and effect. Have the students make a chart and fill in the missing causes and effects. Another option is to have them cut apart and then match the causes and effects. Here are some you may include:

Wangari's mother and grandmother teach her that her ancestors rest in the trees' shade

she loves nature and vows to protect the sacred trees

Wangari's brother teachers her what he learns at school; her parents see that she is smart and a hard worker.

they decide to send her to school, though not many girls ever learn to read

Wangari was an excellent student; she wanted to become a biologist. Her teachers teach her that a woman can do anything they set their minds to

she travels to the US, and successful becomes a woman scientist

The government sells a lot of land to big companies. They cut down forests for timber and clear land for coffee plantations.

the trees are chopped down, erosion carries away the fertile soil, the water in the streams dries up. The land is destroyed and many people go hungry.

Wangari travels around Kenya, teaching people to plant trees.

Millions of trees are planted. Birds and animals return to the forests. Wangari's home is green again.

Some businesses get angry that the trees are more important than their business.

They pay a police officer to put her in jail.

Wangari realizes that she needs more support, and begins to travel the world to spread her message.

More people listen to her message. She is elected to Kenya's parliament, and continued to plant trees.

The world recognizes her hard work.

Wangari wins the Nobel Peace Prize.

Talk about Wangari Maathai's organization, " The Greenbelt Movement." They have planted over 40 million trees all over Africa. Watch this video as you fly over the tree planting sites and view the saplings in 3D in this tour, narrated by Wangari Maathai.

Talk about how one person was able to change their environment. How can kids get involved to help make their world a better place? Brainstorm ways that we can protect our Earth, use less resources, and reduce our waste. An obvious activity would be to plant a tree- in Wangari's honor!

For further information, see this video about life and the Greenbelt Movement:

To learn about another, modern-day shero, check out Human Rights Lawyer Christie Edwards! Ms. Edwards has worked globally on international human rights, international humanitarian law, international development policy, and gender issues for over 15 years.

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Introduce Kids to Nobel Peace Prize Winner Wangari Maathai

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Wangari Maathai was the first African women to win a Nobel Peace Prize; she re-plant Kenyan forests and they called her Mama Miti, "Mother of Trees."

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Katherine Johnson & the Human Computers - High School Social Studies Curriculum - Segregation in America - Flocabulary

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Katherine Johnson is an unsung hero of NASA and the Space Race. A female African-American mathematician, she completed crucial calculations that sent Alan Shepard into space, John Glenn around the Earth and Neil Armstrong to the moon. Learn about her contributions and the time periods during which she lived and worked with Flocabulary's educational hip-hop song and activities.

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Harriet Tubman - Abolition - Facts About Harriet Tubman - Flocabulary

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Teach the biography of courageous abolitionist Harriet Tubman with Flocabulary’s educational rap song and activities.

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Kids learn about the biography and life of various women leaders from Cleopatra VII to Margaret Thatcher.

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Martin Luther King Jr Day - Martin Luther King Jr - Flocabulary

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Learn about the life and contributions of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with Flocabulary's educational rap song and activities.

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Teaching Tools | Resources for Teachers from Scholastic

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Teaching Tools | Resources for Teachers from Scholastic

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The Unsung History Makers: Maria Moreno | PBS LearningMedia

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In this interactive lesson, use primary and secondary sources such as video and audio to unravel the mystery of Maria Moreno, a woman who fought for farm labor rights before Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta formed the United Farm Workers. Then search out an unsung history maker in your own community!

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Draw angles calculated by women who helped astronauts get to the moon, seen in the film Hidden Figures.