Central Question: How did Black Founders (re)define democracy and Black identity in early America?
“Benjamin Banneker: Surveyor-Inventor-Astronomer” mural. From the Library of Congress.
Pilot Investigation: Black Founders
The Black Founders investigation highlights different examples of individual and collective action, and different notions of freedom and democracy in the colonial and Revolutionary time period. This investigation focuses on the compelling question: How did Black Founders (re)define democracy and Black identity in early America? Students will use the Read.Inquire.Write. process and tools to write an argument to textbook editors about expanding their textbook sections on America’s founders.
Prepare to Teach
Investigation Preview
Student Materials
Video Overview for Students
Materials Accommodated for Language Learners
Assessment
Standards Alignment
Literacy in History/Social Studies
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.1, 6-8.2, 6-8.6, 6-8.9
ELA Reading: Information Text
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4, 8.5, 8.6, 8.8, 8.9
ELA Writing
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.1 A-E, 8.4, 8.5, 8.7, 8.8, 8.9, 8.10
ELA Speaking & Listening
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.8.1 A-D, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4, 8.6
Dimension 1: D1.2.6-8, D1.3.6-8, D1.5.6-8
Dimension 2: D2.Civ.2.6-8, D2.Civ.6.6-8, D2.Civ.8.6-8, D2.Civ.9.6-8, D2.Civ.14.6-8, D2.His.1.6-8, D2.His.3.6-8-4.6-8, D2.His.9.6-8-10.6-8, D2.His.13.6-8, D2.His.16.6-8-17.6-8
Dimension 3: D3.1.6-8-4.6-8.
Dimension 4: D4.1.6-8-6.6-8, D4.8.6-
