illustration of different hands. text reads Teaching Our World: Resources That Honor Black Voices

Empower the Future: Trailblazers and Inspiring Voices

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.

I. Introduction

“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. 

II. Assess Prior Knowledge

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.

III. Introduce Vocabulary

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.) 

  • achievement 
  • ambition
  • capable
  • Civil War
  • discrimination
  • embittered
  • equal rights 
  • era
  • injustice
  • Integrate
  • integration
  • offensive
  • outdated
  • pioneer
  • potential
  • racism
  • segregation

IV. Read the Stories

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)

V. Discussion Questions

After reading, select from the following questions to prompt whole-class or small-group discussions. Alternatively, students can respond in writing.

  1. What did the people you read about accomplish? What impact have their accomplishments had on other Americans?
  2. What work did the people you read about do to complete their achievements? What does this tell you about them?
  3. What obstacles or setbacks did the people face? How did they react to those obstacles or setbacks? If you read more than one story, was there anything similar in how people reacted? Explain.
  4. Did the people receive recognition for their achievements at the time? Why or why not?
  5. Based on the story or stories you read, what qualities does a person need to be a trailblazer in their field? What are the challenges of being a trailblazer? What are the rewards? Did the trailblazers you read about face special challenges because they were Black? Explain.

VI. Connect and Extend

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.

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