The document summarizes the 2nd grade curriculum at McLendon Elementary School, which explores important African American figures throughout history. The students learn about abolitionists, artists, authors, inventors, athletes, activists, and political leaders. The curriculum aims to celebrate African American contributions and acknowledge the diversity of the students' backgrounds. It provides brief biographies of several influential African Americans, including Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, George Washington Carver, Jesse Owens, Ella Fitzgerald, Rosa Parks, Maya Angelou, and Barack Obama.

1. Celebration of African
American Leaders and Heroes
MCLENDON ELEMENTARY
2nd GRADE

2. A Trip Through Time
Starting in the early 1800’s and continuing
through to recent history, our 2nd grade students
travel through time exploring African American
abolitionists, artists, authors, inventors, athletes,
activists, and political leaders.
In celebrating the many important contributions of
African Americans throughout American history,
we also honor and acknowledge the wonderful
diversity of cultures, languages, and backgrounds
of our children here at McLendon Elementary.

3. Frederick Douglas
Escape To Freedom
In 1818, Frederick Douglas was born into
slavery. He was born on a plantation in
Maryland. He was separated from his
mother and father and he lived with his
grandmother. He worked long hours
everyday. He wanted to be free.
He taught himself to read and write. Mrs.
Auld helped him and she was the slave
owner’s wife. Teaching a slave to read
and write was against the law. Frederick
fought for his freedom. He ran away to
friends in the north. He became a good
leader. He died in 1895.

4. Harriet Tubman
Helping Others
Harriet Tubman was born in the 1820s in Maryland. She started working
when she was 6 years old. She was a slave. She heard about the
Underground Railroad. She escaped from slavery. She was brave.
Harriet joined the Underground Railroad. A war began. She was a cook
and a nurse and a spy during the Civil War. She helped lots of people so
they could have their freedom. She helped 300 slaves to escape. She is
remembered for helping many slaves escape to freedom. Harriet died in
1913.

5. Sojourner Truth
Freedom Fighter
Sojourner Truth was born in 1797. When
she was a slave her name was Isabella.
She had eleven brothers and sisters.
She could not read or write.
She was known as a freedom fighter.
She fought for equal rights. A family
helped to free her and her baby. She
changed her name to Sojourner. A
sojourner is a person who travels from
place to place. Her last name was Truth.
She walked from city to city giving
speeches. She was an activist. She had
a great voice.

6. Henry’s Freedom Box
Written by Ellen Levine / Illustrated by Kadir Nelson
Freedom is important to me because …
• I can be with my family. • I can read and write.
• Freedom makes me happy. • I am happy that we are free.
• Freedom is cool. • I can read a book or story.
• We all need freedom. • I feel our lives can change when we are free.
• I can do what I want. • I know my last name.

7. A Letter to
President Abraham Lincoln
DEAR PRESIDENT ABRAHAM LINCOLN,
I want to help all the slaves to be free just like you. Being a
slave is not good. Slaves have their own masters. Families
are separated. All slaves want freedom. No slave should be
treated bad. If I were a slave I would stand up for my rights.
- 2nd Grade Student

8. George Washington Carver
Scientist and Inventor
George Washington Carver was a
talented and important scientist. He
was born in 1865 and at one year old
he was freed from slavery. His
previous owners, Moses and Susan
Carver decided to keep George and
his brothers on their farm to raise and
educate them.
George graduated from college with
honors and awards. He invented
more than 300 products, including
dyes, plastics, fuels and glues. Some
of his inventions came from peanuts.
You may have even eaten one of his
inventions for lunch.

9. Eloise Greenfield
A Written Portrait of African American Families
Eloise Greenfield was born in North Carolina in 1929. She was a kid
during the civil rights movement. She was an author of African
American books. She wrote poetry about Black families.

10. The School Is Not White
A True Story of the Civil Rights Movement –
Written By Doreen Rappaport / Illustrated By Curtis James
MY BOOK REVIEW
This book is a story about an African American family who
wanted to go to an all white school in 1965. The genre of the
book is non-fiction. The pictures describe all the characters.
I like this book because it talks about Black and White people
in history. People that like to talk about history or want to learn
about it will like this book.
- 2nd Grade Student

11. Jesse Owens
Showing Determination and Pride
Jesse Owens was born in Oakville, Alabama in 1913. He was a very fast
runner. When he was in high school he also tried the long jump. Jesse
Owens won 4 gold medals in the 1936 Olympics in Germany. He trained hard
for the Olympics. Hitler refused to shake Jesse Owens’ hand.
Jesse married and had 3 daughters. He gave speeches to young people. In
1976, the president gave him the Medal of Freedom award. He died when
he was 67 years old.

12. Ella Fitzgerald
The First Lady of Song
Ella Fitzgerald was born on April 25,1917.
She was called the First Lady of song. She
was born in Newport News, Virginia. When
she was a teenage girl she walked into the
Apollo Theater. It was talent night. She was
dressed in old clothes and men’s boots.
She started to sing. Her voice cracked. She
stopped singing. The audience started to
shout and boo. She closed her eyes. She
started to sing again. Her voice was
beautiful. The crowd cheered. She won the
talent show. She got a job with a band and
made many records.

13. Rosa Parks
Inspiration for the Civil Rights Movement
Rosa Parks was born February 4th,
1913, in Alabama. Her parents were
teachers. She was a famous civil
rights activist.
She rode the bus. She was arrested
because she did not give up her seat
on the bus to a white person. She was
brave. A minister named Martin Luther
King Jr. met with her and brought
support from African Americans who
were tired of segregation. Rosa Parks
and Martin Luther King Jr. organized
the Montgomery bus boycott.

14. Maya Angelou
The Words of a Poet
Maya Angelou is a famous person. She is an author and a poet. She also sang
and danced. She was born on April 4, 1928 in St. Louis Missouri. Her name
when she was born was Marguerite Annie Johnson. Her brother gave her the
nickname of Maya. She went to George Washington High School. She had a
very hard childhood. In 1993, she wrote a poem for President Clinton. She won
awards for her poems.

15. President Barack Obama
America’s First President of African American Heritage
Barack Obama is the 44th President of the United States. He was born
in Hawaii in 1961. His mother is from the U.S.A. His father was born in
a small village in Kenya. He loved basketball. He played in high school.
He studied hard. He graduated from college. He worked to help people.
He married Michelle Obama in 1992. They have two girls. One is Sasha
and one is Malia. Barack Obama is a good president.

16. Black History Glossary
• Abolitionist - a person who is against slavery and fights for the freedom of others
• Equality - the belief that all people are the same and should be treated fairly and with respect.
• Civil Rights Movement - various times in history when large groups of people work together for
the fair and equal treatment of others.
• Heritage - the relationship we have between our family history, culture and traditions.
• Diversity - an understanding that there are similar and different types of people, places and
things
• Freedom - the ability or privilege to make your own choices
• Leadership- a characteristic of a person that shows they are able to make good judgment,
provide guidance and direction for others.
• Slavery - to control someone against their will and forcing them to work in very harsh conditions
• Segregation - to divide or separate people based on the belief that some groups should not have
the same rights as others.