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Bigger Than Life

Grades: 
6, 7, 8
Subjects: 
Language Arts
Philanthropy
Social Studies
Keywords & Concepts: 
Character Education: Courage
Heroes
Social Action

Learners identify examples of courage from an article about Jackie Robinson.

Duration 
PrintOne 20-minute lesson
Objectives 

The learner will:

  • recall prior knowledge about Jackie Robinson.
  • identify examples of courage in Jackie Robinson.
Materials 
  • read-aloud copy of an article by Hank Aaron about Jackie Robinson
  • copies of handout Jackie Robinson Quiz
Bibliography 

Aaron, Hank. "Jackie Robinson: The Trailblazer" Time Magazine, June 14, 1999  http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,991262,00.html

Related Resources 

Instructions

Print

  1. Anticipatory Set

    Ask the learners what they already know about Jackie Robinson. Get an idea of their prior knowledge and spark interest in him by giving learners a copy of the handout Jackie Robinson Quiz. Tell them you want them to fill out this quiz, guessing when they don't know the answer.

  2. Read aloud the Time magazine article written by Henry Aaron about Jackie Robinson. Ask the learners to listen for ways Jackie Robinson showed courage [bravery; the ability to confront fear or uncertainty]. They may also update the quiz answers when the questions are answered in the reading.

  3. Discuss the examples of Jackie Robinson's courage and his purpose behind that courage.

Philanthropy Framework

  1. Strand PHIL.II Philanthropy and Civil Society
    1. Standard PCS 01. Self, citizenship, and society
      1. Benchmark MS.4 Describe the characteristics of someone who helps others.
    2. Standard PCS 02. Diverse Cultures
      1. Benchmark MS.2 Describe the importance of hearing all voices in a community and respecting their right to be heard.
      2. Benchmark MS.3 Give an example of how philanthropy can transcend cultures.
  2. Strand PHIL.III Philanthropy and the Individual
    1. Standard PI 01. Reasons for Individual Philanthropy
      1. Benchmark MS.3 Identify and give examples of stewardship in cultural traditions around the world.
      2. Benchmark MS.4 Identify and describe the actions of how citizens act for the common good.
      3. Benchmark MS.5 Describe the responsibility students have to act in the civil society sector to improve the common good.