PAUL ROBESON

Lesson Plan based on Chicago Academic Standards for Grade 8
by Carol Friedman, educator in the Chicago public school system

This is an example of a Paul Robeson lesson plan based on Chicago Academic Standards (CAS) for Grade 8. It can easily be used and adapted to other grade levels.

Social Sciences: State Goal 14

Understand, analyze, and compare political systems with an emphasis on the United States.

CFS 2. Identify and apply to contemporary situations the fundamental democratic assumptions and principles of the United States

Language Arts:

State Goal 1 -- Read with understanding and fluency.

State Goal 3 -- Write to communicate for a variety of purposes.

Materials:

Books about the life of Paul Robeson at the appropriate reading level.

Activity:
Teacher makes a general oral introduction about Paul Robeson to students. Students are divided into small groups of three or four. Each group is assigned a period of time in Robeson's life to research. They are given index cards to take notes. On each card write something important that happened during that period of time. Put the cards together in the group, have a discussion and write a paragraph summarizing that period of time. Each group should be an expert on that period in Robeson's life. Switch groups so that each group is composed of experts on different periods. Individuals are responsible for teaching about their period. Students can ask each other questions. The new group is responsible for producing a __ paragraph paper reflecting the life of Paul Robeson.

Assessment:

The paper should reflect an understanding of the life and struggles of Paul Robeson.

Other activities:

Make a time line of key events in Paul Robeson's life.

Compare and contrast Robeson's youth with your own.

Compare and contrast fundamental democratic principles in society during Robeson's life with them now.

Choose one issue Robeson fought for and write/role-play/draw how and why he supported it; how that issue has been or not been resolved in current times.

Write Letters to the Editor supporting the Robeson centennial.

Rewrite speech to World Congress in a way that explained his position better.

(H.S.) Make mural reflecting the Robeson's multifaceted personality

Chicago Connection:

Do research into who supported Robeson in Chicago?

When and why did he come to Chicago?

Find someone to interview who knew Paul Robeson or was very familiar with his life.

PAUL ROBESON

Lesson Plan based on Chicago Academic Standards for Grade 8 by Carol Friedman, educator in the Chicago public school system

Lesson Plan based on Chicago Academic Standards for Grade 8
by Carol Friedman, educator in the Chicago public school system