Celebration of African Celebration of African Celebration of African Celebration of African

American Leaders and HeroesAmerican Leaders and HeroesAmerican Leaders and HeroesAmerican Leaders and Heroes

MCLENDON ELEMENTARY

2nd GRADE

A Trip Through Time

Starting in the early 1800’s and continuing through to recent history, our 2nd grade students travel through time exploring African American abolitionists, artists, authors, inventors, athletes, activists, and political leaders.

In celebrating the many important contributions of African Americans throughout American history, we also honor and acknowledge the wonderful diversity of cultures, languages, and backgrounds of our children here at McLendon Elementary.

Frederick DouglasEscape To Freedom

In 1818, Frederick Douglas was born into

slavery. He was born on a plantation in

Maryland. He was separated from his

mother and father and he lived with his

grandmother. He worked long hours

everyday. He wanted to be free.

He taught himself to read and write. Mrs.

Auld helped him and she was the slave

owner’s wife. Teaching a slave to read

and write was against the law. Frederick

fought for his freedom. He ran away to

friends in the north. He became a good leader. He died in 1895.

Harriet TubmanHelping Others

Harriet Tubman was born in the 1820s in Maryland. She started working

when she was 6 years old. She was a slave. She heard about the

Underground Railroad. She escaped from slavery. She was brave.

Harriet joined the Underground Railroad. A war began. She was a cook

and a nurse and a spy during the Civil War. She helped lots of people so

they could have their freedom. She helped 300 slaves to escape. She is

remembered for helping many slaves escape to freedom. Harriet died in

1913.

Sojourner TruthFreedom Fighter

Sojourner Truth was born in 1797. When

she was a slave her name was Isabella.

She had eleven brothers and sisters.

She could not read or write.

She was known as a freedom fighter.

She fought for equal rights. A family

helped to free her and her baby. She

changed her name to Sojourner. A

sojourner is a person who travels from

place to place. Her last name was Truth.

She walked from city to city giving

speeches. She was an activist. She had

a great voice.

Henry’s Freedom Box Written by Ellen Levine / Illustrated by Kadir Nelson

• I can be with my family.

• Freedom makes me happy.

• Freedom is cool.

• We all need freedom.

• I can do what I want.

• I can read and write.

• I am happy that we are free.

• I can read a book or story.

• I feel our lives can change when we are free.

• I know my last name.

Freedom is important to me because …

A Letter to

President Abraham Lincoln

DEAR PRESIDENT ABRAHAM LINCOLN,

I want to help all the slaves to be free just like you. Being a

slave is not good. Slaves have their own masters. Families

are separated. All slaves want freedom. No slave should be

treated bad. If I were a slave I would stand up for my rights.

- 2nd Grade Student

George Washington CarverScientist and Inventor

George Washington Carver was a

talented and important scientist. He

was born in 1865 and at one year old

he was freed from slavery. His

previous owners, Moses and Susan

Carver decided to keep George and

his brothers on their farm to raise and

educate them.

George graduated from college with

honors and awards. He invented

more than 300 products, including

dyes, plastics, fuels and glues. Some

of his inventions came from peanuts.

You may have even eaten one of his

inventions for lunch.

Eloise GreenfieldA Written Portrait of African American Families

Eloise Greenfield was born in North Carolina in 1929. She was a kid

during the civil rights movement. She was an author of African

American books. She wrote poetry about Black families.

The School Is Not WhiteA True Story of the Civil Rights Movement –

Written By Doreen Rappaport / Illustrated By Curtis James

MY BOOK REVIEW

This book is a story about an African American family who wanted to go to an all white school in 1965. The genre of the book is non-fiction. The pictures describe all the characters.

I like this book because it talks about Black and White people in history. People that like to talk about history or want to learn about it will like this book.

- 2nd Grade Student

Jesse OwensShowing Determination and Pride

Jesse Owens was born in Oakville, Alabama in 1913. He was a very fast

runner. When he was in high school he also tried the long jump. Jesse

Owens won 4 gold medals in the 1936 Olympics in Germany. He trained hard

for the Olympics. Hitler refused to shake Jesse Owens’ hand.

Jesse married and had 3 daughters. He gave speeches to young people. In

1976, the president gave him the Medal of Freedom award. He died when

he was 67 years old.

Ella FitzgeraldThe First Lady of Song

Ella Fitzgerald was born on April 25,1917.

She was called the First Lady of song. She

was born in Newport News, Virginia. When

she was a teenage girl she walked into the

Apollo Theater. It was talent night. She was

dressed in old clothes and men’s boots.

She started to sing. Her voice cracked. She

stopped singing. The audience started to

shout and boo. She closed her eyes. She

started to sing again. Her voice was

beautiful. The crowd cheered. She won the

talent show. She got a job with a band and

made many records.

Rosa ParksInspiration for the Civil Rights Movement

Rosa Parks was born February 4th,

1913, in Alabama. Her parents were

teachers. She was a famous civil

rights activist.

She rode the bus. She was arrested

because she did not give up her seat

on the bus to a white person. She was

brave. A minister named Martin Luther

King Jr. met with her and brought

support from African Americans who

were tired of segregation. Rosa Parks

and Martin Luther King Jr. organized

the Montgomery bus boycott.

Maya AngelouThe Words of a Poet

Maya Angelou is a famous person. She is an author and a poet. She also sang

and danced. She was born on April 4, 1928 in St. Louis Missouri. Her name

when she was born was Marguerite Annie Johnson. Her brother gave her the

nickname of Maya. She went to George Washington High School. She had a

very hard childhood. In 1993, she wrote a poem for President Clinton. She won

awards for her poems.

President Barack ObamaAmerica’s First President of African American Heritage

Barack Obama is the 44th President of the United States. He was born

in Hawaii in 1961. His mother is from the U.S.A. His father was born in

a small village in Kenya. He loved basketball. He played in high school.

He studied hard. He graduated from college. He worked to help people.

He married Michelle Obama in 1992. They have two girls. One is Sasha

and one is Malia. Barack Obama is a good president.

Black History Glossary

• Abolitionist - a person who is against slavery and fights for the freedom of others

• Equality - the belief that all people are the same and should be treated fairly and with respect.

• Civil Rights Movement - various times in history when large groups of people work together for the fair and equal treatment of others.

• Heritage - the relationship we have between our family history, culture and traditions.

• Diversity - an understanding that there are similar and different types of people, places and things

• Freedom - the ability or privilege to make your own choices

• Leadership- a characteristic of a person that shows they are able to make good judgment, provide guidance and direction for others.

• Slavery - to control someone against their will and forcing them to work in very harsh conditions

• Segregation - to divide or separate people based on the belief that some groups should not have the same rights as others.