Maryland's Unsung Black Heroes
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Maryland's Unsung Black Heroes

Grade 4Social Studies3 days
The 'Maryland's Unsung Black Heroes' project engages 4th-grade social studies students in uncovering and celebrating the contributions of lesser-known Black historical figures from Maryland. Through inquiry-based learning, students explore the significance and impact of these figures on both the local community and the wider world. The project involves diverse activities such as creating podcast series, participating in augmented reality tours, and researching through exploration journals to enhance their understanding and skills in historical research, storytelling, and community awareness.
Black HistoryMarylandUnsung HeroesPodcastAugmented RealityCommunity AwarenessHistorical Research
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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we uncover and celebrate the stories of Maryland's unsung Black heroes, and understand their impact on our community and beyond?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.
  • Who are some of the lesser-known Black figures in Maryland's history, and what contributions did they make?
  • Why is it important to learn about a diverse range of historical figures, especially those who are often overlooked?
  • How have the contributions of these unsung heroes impacted Maryland and the wider world?
  • What challenges did these unsung heroes face, and how did they overcome them?
  • In what ways can discovering these hidden heroes inspire us to act in our communities today?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:
  • Identify and research lesser-known Black figures from Maryland's history to understand their contributions.
  • Analyze the importance of diverse historical narratives and their impact on the community and beyond.
  • Develop research skills by gathering, evaluating, and presenting information about unsung heroes.
  • Enhance critical thinking by exploring causes, effects, and challenges faced by these historical figures.
  • Inspire action through understanding historical challenges and contributions that can impact current community involvement.

C3 Framework for Social Studies State Standards

D2.His.14.3-5
Primary
Explain probable causes and effects of events and developments in U.S. and world history.Reason: Students will explore and identify the causes and effects related to the contributions and challenges faced by unsung Black heroes in Maryland's history.
D2.His.16.3-5
Primary
Use evidence to develop a claim about the past.Reason: The project involves researching historical figures and using evidence to present their stories, aligning well with this standard.

Common Core Standards

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.4.3
Secondary
Explain events, procedures, ideas, or concepts in a historical, scientific, or technical text, including what happened and why, based on specific information in the text.Reason: Through research and presentation, students will interpret historical texts to explain contributions of less-known Black figures.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.1
Supporting
Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons and information.Reason: Students will write about the importance of recognizing unsung heroes, supporting their views with historical evidence.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

Historical Figure Podcast Series

Launch a classroom podcast series where students research, write, and record episodes about different unsung Black heroes from Maryland's history. As student producers, they engage in storytelling and develop a wide range of skills while sharing these important narratives with a broader audience.

Walking History Tour with Augmented Reality

A virtual walking tour experience using augmented reality brings students to historical sites in Maryland, revealing interactive stories and achievements of lesser-known Black heroes. This immersive approach allows students to connect with history in a visually engaging and modern way, even from their classroom.

Virtual Time Capsule Discovery

Uncover a 'digital time capsule' containing letters, artifacts, and multimedia presentations from Maryland's unsung Black heroes. This discovery will prompt students to explore untold stories and personal accounts, immersing them directly into the experiences and contributions of these historical figures.
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Portfolio Activities

Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.
Activity 1

Hero Scavenger Hunt

Students will embark on a scavenger hunt to discover information about Maryland's unsung Black heroes. This activity will introduce them to the historical figures they will study throughout the project.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Divide students into small groups and assign each group a list of lesser-known Black heroes from Maryland.
2. Provide students with books, articles, and online resources to search for initial information about their assigned heroes.
3. Have students complete a fact sheet for each hero, detailing basic biographical information and notable achievements.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityCompleted fact sheets about assigned heroes.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with D2.His.14.3-5 by introducing students to events and developments in history through biographical research.
Activity 2

Exploration Journals

Students will create exploration journals to document their research process as they delve deeper into the lives and contributions of their heroes.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Students review their scavenger hunt findings and choose one hero to explore in depth.
2. Using a structured template, students keep a journal recording new findings, notes, and reflections during their research.
3. Encourage students to write weekly entries, summarizing what they learned each week.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA comprehensive exploration journal for a selected hero.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsSupports D2.His.16.3-5 by having students use evidence to document their research and reflections.
Activity 3

Podcast Scriptwriting Workshop

In this activity, students will craft scripts for their podcast episodes, focusing on the storytelling of their hero's life and impact.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Review journal entries to extract key stories and facts about the chosen hero.
2. Develop a narrative arc that highlights the hero’s major contributions and challenges.
3. Write a draft script, incorporating quotations and evidence from their research.
4. Peer-review scripts for clarity, engagement, and factual accuracy.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA well-structured and engaging script for a podcast episode.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.1 as it involves writing opinionated script pieces supported by historical evidence.
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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Maryland's Hidden Heroes Assessment Rubric

Category 1

Research and Information Gathering

Assessment of students' ability to source, interpret, and document relevant information about Maryland's unsung Black heroes.
Criterion 1

Historical Understanding

Evaluates the student's grasp of the historical context and contributions of the heroes researched.

Exemplary
4 Points

Demonstrates sophisticated understanding of the historical context, providing comprehensive explanations and detailed accounts of the heroes’ contributions.

Proficient
3 Points

Shows thorough understanding of the historical context with appropriately detailed explanations of the heroes’ contributions.

Developing
2 Points

Shows emerging understanding of the historical context, with basic explanations that touch on some contributions.

Beginning
1 Points

Shows initial understanding with minimal context provided and few contributions discussed.

Criterion 2

Evidence Use

Assesses the student's ability to use evidence effectively to support research findings.

Exemplary
4 Points

Effectively uses a variety of sources, integrating evidence seamlessly into explanations to support findings.

Proficient
3 Points

Uses relevant sources effectively, with clear integration of evidence to support findings.

Developing
2 Points

Uses some sources with limited integration of evidence to support findings.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to use sources effectively with insufficient evidence integration.

Category 2

Reflective Journaling

Assessment of the depth and reflection shown in students' exploration journals documenting their research.
Criterion 1

Reflective Depth

Measures the extent of reflection and insight in journal entries.

Exemplary
4 Points

Entries are highly reflective, showing deep insight and growth in understanding of historical narratives.

Proficient
3 Points

Entries demonstrate effective reflection and understanding, with clear insights.

Developing
2 Points

Entries show some reflection and developing insights into historical narratives.

Beginning
1 Points

Entries lack depth with limited reflection and insight.

Criterion 2

Consistency and Progress

Evaluates the regularity and development of journal entries over time.

Exemplary
4 Points

Journal entries are consistent and show clear progression in understanding and insights weekly.

Proficient
3 Points

Entries are mostly consistent with evidence of development in understanding.

Developing
2 Points

Entries show some inconsistency with gradual progress in understanding.

Beginning
1 Points

Entries are sporadic with little to no progression shown.

Category 3

Creative Communication

Assessment of students' ability to present their findings creatively through podcast scriptwriting.
Criterion 1

Narrative Coherence

Measures how well students structure their podcast scripts, focusing on coherence and engagement.

Exemplary
4 Points

Script is exceptionally well-structured and engaging, with a coherent narrative arc and creative storytelling.

Proficient
3 Points

Script is well-structured and engaging, providing a coherent narrative.

Developing
2 Points

Script has a basic structure with some coherent elements and engagement.

Beginning
1 Points

Script is poorly structured with limited coherence and engagement.

Criterion 2

Use of Language and Historical Evidence

Evaluates the effectiveness of language and incorporation of historical evidence in scriptwriting.

Exemplary
4 Points

Uses precise and impactful language, masterfully incorporating historical evidence to support the narrative.

Proficient
3 Points

Uses clear language and integrates historical evidence effectively into the narrative.

Developing
2 Points

Uses basic language with limited integration of historical evidence.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles with language clarity and minimal use of historical evidence.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning
Question 1

What was the most surprising thing you learned about Maryland's unsung Black heroes, and why did it stand out to you?

Text
Required
Question 2

On a scale of 1 to 5, how impactful do you think learning about these unsung heroes has been in changing your understanding of Maryland's history?

Scale
Required
Question 3

Which hero’s story inspired you the most to think about your role in the community, and how might you act upon this inspiration?

Text
Required
Question 4

Reflecting on the podcast project, what skills did you develop that you think will be useful in the future?

Text
Required
Question 5

Why do you think it is important to continue uncovering stories of unsung heroes from history, particularly those of marginalized groups?

Multiple choice
Required
Options
To gain a more complete understanding of history
To ensure all voices are heard and recognized
To challenge the traditional narratives that may exclude important contributions
All of the above