Black Football History: A Math and History Project
Inquiry Framework
Question Framework
Driving Question
The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we discover and share the stories of the first Black football players, understand their impact, and recognize the challenges they overcame to preserve their legacy in the game's history?Essential Questions
Supporting questions that break down major concepts.- Who were the first Black football players?
- How did Black football players impact the game?
- What challenges did Black football players face?
- How has Black football history been preserved?
Standards & Learning Goals
Learning Goals
By the end of this project, students will be able to:- Students will investigate the history of early Black football players.
- Students will identify the impact of Black football players on the game.
- Students will recognize the challenges faced by early Black football players.
- Students will explore methods of preserving Black football history.
- Students will share the stories of early Black football players.
- Students will understand the legacy of Black football players in the game's history
BLACK PEOPLE FOOTBALL
Entry Events
Events that will be used to introduce the project to studentsHall of Fame Draft
Host a 'Hall of Fame' draft. Present images/short bios of groundbreaking Black football players. Students 'draft' who they want to learn about, sparking initial interest and creating research teams.Press Conference
Stage a mock press conference. Students role-play as reporters interviewing a 'former' Black football player (teacher or guest). The interview uncovers challenges and triumphs, prompting deeper investigation.Mystery Artifacts
Create a 'Mystery Artifacts' station. Display objects (helmets, photos, replica jerseys) connected to Black football history. Students examine and hypothesize about their significance, guiding their research questions.Design a Monument
Launch a 'Design a Monument' challenge. Task students with designing a monument honoring Black football legends. This combines historical understanding with creative expression, driving research into player achievements.Video Clip
Screen a short, engaging video clip. Show highlights of a famous game featuring Black football pioneers. Pause at key moments to ask students about the players' experiences and impact, fueling discussion.Portfolio Activities
Portfolio Activities
These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.Timeline of Pioneers
Students create a timeline of key events and figures in early Black football history. This activity helps them understand the chronological order of events and the emergence of significant players.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA visual timeline with dates, names, and brief descriptions of important milestones in early Black football history.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses learning goal: Students will investigate the history of early Black football players. Aligns with standard HIST101 by focusing on foundational historical knowledge.Impact Presentation
Students research and present on the contributions of specific Black football players to the game. This activity fosters understanding of their impact on the sport's evolution.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA short presentation (oral or visual) highlighting the achievements and impact of a chosen Black football player.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses learning goal: Students will identify the impact of Black football players on the game. Aligns with standard HIST101 by exploring the consequences and influences of historical figures.Challenges Narrative
Students explore the obstacles and discrimination faced by early Black football players. This activity develops empathy and critical thinking skills.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA short narrative or illustration depicting a challenge faced by a Black football player.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses learning goal: Students will recognize the challenges faced by early Black football players. Aligns with standard HIST101 by examining the social and cultural context of the historical period.Preservation Report
Students investigate how Black football history has been preserved through museums, archives, and other means. This activity encourages information literacy and an understanding of historical preservation.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA report or presentation on a method of preserving Black football history.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses learning goal: Students will explore methods of preserving Black football history. Aligns with standard HIST101 by considering how history is documented and remembered.Biography Project
Students create a short biography of an early Black football player. The biography will be shared with classmates.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA biography of an early Black football player.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses learning goal: Students will share the stories of early Black football players and understand the legacy of Black football players in the game's history. Aligns with standard HIST101 by synthesizing historical information and communicating it to others.Rubric & Reflection
Portfolio Rubric
Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolioBlack Football History Portfolio Rubric
Timeline Quality
Assessment of the timeline's accuracy, organization, and connection to learning goalsInformation Accuracy
Accuracy and completeness of information presented in the timeline
Exemplary
4 PointsTimeline includes comprehensive and accurate details, demonstrating a deep understanding of the topic
Proficient
3 PointsTimeline includes mostly accurate details and demonstrates a good understanding of the topic
Developing
2 PointsTimeline includes some accurate details, but may be incomplete or contain minor errors, showing basic understanding
Beginning
1 PointsTimeline includes minimal details, contains significant inaccuracies, and demonstrates a limited understanding of the topic
Organization
Organization and clarity of the timeline
Exemplary
4 PointsTimeline is exceptionally well-organized, visually appealing, and easy to follow, demonstrating advanced presentation skills
Proficient
3 PointsTimeline is well-organized, visually appealing, and easy to follow, demonstrating effective presentation skills
Developing
2 PointsTimeline is somewhat organized, but may lack visual appeal or clarity, showing basic presentation skills
Beginning
1 PointsTimeline is disorganized, difficult to follow, and lacks visual appeal, demonstrating limited presentation skills
Learning Goal Connection
Connection to Learning Goal: How effectively the timeline shows the history of early Black football players
Exemplary
4 PointsClearly and innovatively demonstrates a comprehensive investigation of the history of early Black football players
Proficient
3 PointsEffectively demonstrates a thorough investigation of the history of early Black football players
Developing
2 PointsDemonstrates some investigation of the history of early Black football players
Beginning
1 PointsDemonstrates a beginning understanding of the investigation into the history of early Black football players
Presentation Effectiveness
Assessment of the presentation's research depth, clarity, and connection to learning goalsResearch Depth
Depth of research and understanding of the chosen player's contributions
Exemplary
4 PointsPresentation demonstrates sophisticated research and an innovative understanding of the player's contributions, revealing nuanced insights
Proficient
3 PointsPresentation demonstrates thorough research and a clear understanding of the player's contributions
Developing
2 PointsPresentation demonstrates some research and a basic understanding of the player's contributions
Beginning
1 PointsPresentation demonstrates limited research and a minimal understanding of the player's contributions
Presentation Clarity
Clarity and effectiveness of the presentation
Exemplary
4 PointsPresentation is exceptionally clear, engaging, and persuasive, demonstrating advanced communication skills
Proficient
3 PointsPresentation is clear, engaging, and effectively communicates the player's impact
Developing
2 PointsPresentation is somewhat clear, but may lack engagement or clarity in communicating the player's impact
Beginning
1 PointsPresentation is unclear, disengaging, and fails to effectively communicate the player's impact
Learning Goal Connection
Connection to Learning Goal: How effectively the presentation highlights the impact of Black football players
Exemplary
4 PointsThe presentation shows an innovative and sophisticated understanding of the impact of Black football players.
Proficient
3 PointsThe presentation clearly highlights the impact of Black football players on the game.
Developing
2 PointsThe presentation attempts to highlight the impact of Black football players on the game.
Beginning
1 PointsThe presentation does not successfully highlight the impact of Black football players on the game.
Narrative Impact
Assessment of the narrative's emotional depth, creative expression, and connection to learning goalsEmotional Depth
Insightfulness and empathy in depicting the chosen challenge
Exemplary
4 PointsNarrative/illustration demonstrates sophisticated insight, empathy, and a nuanced understanding of the challenges faced
Proficient
3 PointsNarrative/illustration demonstrates clear insight and empathy in depicting the chosen challenge
Developing
2 PointsNarrative/illustration demonstrates some insight and empathy in depicting the chosen challenge
Beginning
1 PointsNarrative/illustration demonstrates limited insight or empathy in depicting the chosen challenge
Creative Expression
Creativity and effectiveness of the narrative or illustration
Exemplary
4 PointsNarrative/illustration is exceptionally creative, well-crafted, and effectively conveys the emotional impact of the challenge
Proficient
3 PointsNarrative/illustration is creative, well-crafted, and effectively conveys the emotional impact of the challenge
Developing
2 PointsNarrative/illustration is somewhat creative, but may lack polish or effectiveness in conveying the emotional impact
Beginning
1 PointsNarrative/illustration lacks creativity, is poorly crafted, and fails to effectively convey the emotional impact
Learning Goal Connection
Connection to Learning Goal: How effectively the narrative conveys the challenges faced by early Black football players
Exemplary
4 PointsThe narrative offers an innovative and sophisticated exploration into the challenges faced by early Black football players
Proficient
3 PointsThe narrative effectively describes the challenges faced by early Black football players
Developing
2 PointsThe narrative makes an attempt to describe the challenges faced by early Black football players
Beginning
1 PointsThe narrative does not describe the challenges faced by early Black football players
Report Quality
Assessment of the report's research thoroughness, evaluation clarity, and connection to learning goalsResearch Thoroughness
Thoroughness and accuracy in researching preservation methods
Exemplary
4 PointsReport/presentation demonstrates exceptionally thorough research and an innovative understanding of preservation methods, going beyond requirements
Proficient
3 PointsReport/presentation demonstrates thorough research and a clear understanding of preservation methods
Developing
2 PointsReport/presentation demonstrates some research and a basic understanding of preservation methods
Beginning
1 PointsReport/presentation demonstrates limited research and a minimal understanding of preservation methods
Evaluation Clarity
Clarity and persuasiveness in evaluating the effectiveness of the chosen method
Exemplary
4 PointsReport/presentation is exceptionally clear, persuasive, and provides insightful analysis of the method's effectiveness
Proficient
3 PointsReport/presentation is clear, persuasive, and provides a well-reasoned evaluation of the method's effectiveness
Developing
2 PointsReport/presentation is somewhat clear, but may lack persuasiveness or depth in evaluating the method's effectiveness
Beginning
1 PointsReport/presentation is unclear, unpersuasive, and fails to effectively evaluate the method's effectiveness
Learning Goal Connection
Connection to Learning Goal: How well the report explores methods of preserving Black football history
Exemplary
4 PointsThe report displays an innovative understanding of the methods of preserving Black football history
Proficient
3 PointsThe report clearly explores the methods of preserving Black football history
Developing
2 PointsThe report begins to explore the methods of preserving Black football history
Beginning
1 PointsThe report does not explore the methods of preserving Black football history
Biographical Impact
Assessment of the biography's accuracy, writing quality, and connection to learning goalsBiographical Accuracy
Accuracy and depth of biographical information
Exemplary
4 PointsBiography presents exceptionally accurate, comprehensive, and insightful details about the player's life and career, demonstrating advanced research
Proficient
3 PointsBiography presents accurate and thorough details about the player's life and career, demonstrating strong research
Developing
2 PointsBiography presents some accurate details, but may be incomplete or lack depth in describing the player's life and career
Beginning
1 PointsBiography presents minimal details, contains inaccuracies, and demonstrates limited research
Writing Quality
Clarity and engagement of the writing
Exemplary
4 PointsBiography is exceptionally well-written, engaging, and effectively conveys the player's story, captivating the reader
Proficient
3 PointsBiography is well-written, engaging, and effectively conveys the player's story
Developing
2 PointsBiography is somewhat well-written, but may lack engagement or clarity in conveying the player's story
Beginning
1 PointsBiography is poorly written, disengaging, and fails to effectively convey the player's story
Learning Goal Connection
Connection to Learning Goal: How effectively the biography shares the stories of early Black football players and an understanding of their legacy
Exemplary
4 PointsThe biography shares the story of an early Black football player in an innovative and sophisticated manner that shows an understanding of their legacy
Proficient
3 PointsThe biography effectively shares the story of an early Black football player showing and understanding of their legacy
Developing
2 PointsThe biography attempts to share the story of an early Black football player and provides some understanding of their legacy
Beginning
1 PointsThe biography fails to share the story of an early Black football player or provide an understanding of their legacy