English/Language Arts
Explore effective writing: handling the timeline
Notice in this Minute how Author Nathan begins describing an event in 1963, and then takes the reader back nearly a quarter of a century. Have students discuss why the author might choose to structure a piece this way. Can they find other examples of authors manipulating a timeline to tell a story more effectively? Expand their search to fiction and be prepared for some lively conversations and aha moments.
Social Studies
Explore US Presidents - the influence of the First Lady
Author Nathan tells readers that First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt was “upset” by the discrimination she witnessed against Marian Anderson. Just what did this look like? Roosevelt renounced her membership to the DAR (daughters of the American Revolution) among other things. If your students are curious about the impact of First ladies, send them to the National First Ladies’ Library and have them conduct a site search.
Explore the Civil Rights Act of 1964
This Minute references the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Have students take a closer look at the events and situations that led to the passage of this law. Besides the discrimination faced by celebrity vocalist Marian Anderson, what other examples can they find? Was the law easy to pass? What roadblocks were in the way? How did President Johnson finally garner enough support for passage? Did the law have the intended effect? Did discrimination disappear, or merely morph into something less obvious?
Music
Explore musical genres
Marian Anderson was a contralto who sang a wide repertoire of classical pieces as well as performing spirituals. Use this Minute to introduce students to the American folk music genre of spirituals, and look at how a repressed population used music was used as an important form of expression.
Research Skills
Explore source notes
Some of your more careful readers may have noticed that Author Nathan’s Minutes always include a link to her sources. Use this opportunity to encourage your students to take a closer look at the types of sources included. Author Nathan uses both print and online sources, newspapers, books, newsletters and government transcripts. Have your students see if they can create a list of source types she uses, and then ask how this wide variety of sources enriches an author’s writing. Supplement this discussion with print material, checking out the source and bibliography listings included in the back.
Explore media sources
This Minute references multiple media sources - the radio, newspapers and magazines. Use this opportunity to discuss resource types. What are the benefits and biases of each? What must researchers keep in mind as they review things from different source types?
Explore effective writing: handling the timeline
Notice in this Minute how Author Nathan begins describing an event in 1963, and then takes the reader back nearly a quarter of a century. Have students discuss why the author might choose to structure a piece this way. Can they find other examples of authors manipulating a timeline to tell a story more effectively? Expand their search to fiction and be prepared for some lively conversations and aha moments.
Social Studies
Explore US Presidents - the influence of the First Lady
Author Nathan tells readers that First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt was “upset” by the discrimination she witnessed against Marian Anderson. Just what did this look like? Roosevelt renounced her membership to the DAR (daughters of the American Revolution) among other things. If your students are curious about the impact of First ladies, send them to the National First Ladies’ Library and have them conduct a site search.
Explore the Civil Rights Act of 1964
This Minute references the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Have students take a closer look at the events and situations that led to the passage of this law. Besides the discrimination faced by celebrity vocalist Marian Anderson, what other examples can they find? Was the law easy to pass? What roadblocks were in the way? How did President Johnson finally garner enough support for passage? Did the law have the intended effect? Did discrimination disappear, or merely morph into something less obvious?
Music
Explore musical genres
Marian Anderson was a contralto who sang a wide repertoire of classical pieces as well as performing spirituals. Use this Minute to introduce students to the American folk music genre of spirituals, and look at how a repressed population used music was used as an important form of expression.
Research Skills
Explore source notes
Some of your more careful readers may have noticed that Author Nathan’s Minutes always include a link to her sources. Use this opportunity to encourage your students to take a closer look at the types of sources included. Author Nathan uses both print and online sources, newspapers, books, newsletters and government transcripts. Have your students see if they can create a list of source types she uses, and then ask how this wide variety of sources enriches an author’s writing. Supplement this discussion with print material, checking out the source and bibliography listings included in the back.
Explore media sources
This Minute references multiple media sources - the radio, newspapers and magazines. Use this opportunity to discuss resource types. What are the benefits and biases of each? What must researchers keep in mind as they review things from different source types?
© Karen Sterling, 2018 - May be used for educational purposes without written permission