Dreams
How do the dreams of African-Americans of the past
affect our dreams for the future?
  An online collaborative  unit designed by Tes Powell, Sue Creegan, Marilyn Speer and Suzanne Haley


Grade level: 3-6
We designed this unit for third grade.  However, it can easliy be adjusted to fit primary and upper intermediate grades.
   We have tried to include extension, or alternate activities to  help meet various teaching and learning styles.

Classroom Management:
Whole group and small group instruction, as well as independent center activities, will take place throughout the unit.   After the introductory activity, the class will be broken up into groups of 4-6 students.  Each group will be assigned a Faith Ringgold book to read and activities associated with the book to   complete.  At the end of the unit, each group is responsible for presenting  their book and information gathered from their activities to the class.   They are also responsible for creating a tool to assess how well the other students in the class learn the information.
In creating this unit we created  a class profile.  Our "class" has been working in small groups and is familiar  with this format.  They also have been using technology regularly in  the classroom. 

Length of unit: 4-5 weeks
We suggest doing this in conjunction with Black History month in February.
Objectives:
On completion of the thematic unit students will be able to:
1. name 4 Faith Ringgold Books.
2. take part in constructing a Story Quilt.
3. identify 4 African Americans and define their contribution to the civil  rights movement .
4. identify Southern states and their importance of the civil rights movement.
5. effectily create and present a presentation.  
6. describe and state facts about the life of a famous African American.
7. create a time line of the Civil Rights Movement. 
8. use the Internet to engage in historical analysis and interpretation.
9. explain how the dreams of the past affect our lives.
10. explore their own dreams for the future .
 
Introductory Activity:
Discuss with students the concept of Dreams.  Tell the students that the unit they will be starting is about people who made their dreams a reality.
Use a  PowerPoint presentation to introduce the students to Faith Ringgold.   Explain how Ms. Ringgold uses dreams in her stories to tell about  famous African Americans and how they worked to make their dreams come true.  After the presentation, discuss the upcoming assignments.

The teacher will then perform a dramatic reading of   "Let Freedom Ring."  Explain to students that they will be  performing the reading at a luncheon at the end of the month.  Practice  reading daily.

Center Activities:
Each group will visit each center for 30 minutes daily.
Computers -- Students will do research and Internet activities.

Science -- Students will read about African American scientists.  Using various materials students will create an invention that would make their lives easier.

Writing/Mapping Center  --  Students can work on journal entries, essays, creative writing, or mapping projects.

Math/Art Center -- Students will use 1 inch math tiles and graphing paper to explore area and  perimeter.  Students will figure out how large their square will be for the quilt and design a square using their book as inspiration.

                                                
 
Extension  Activities
 
Concluding Activities
 
Rubrics

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