How does African American baseball and history fit with what I am already teaching?
How can I use this information?
How do the lessons motivate students?
Are the lessons easy to use?
Why should I use these lesson plans instead of others?
What about students who need accommodations/modifications?
My technology skills are not very good. Can I still use the lessons in my classroom?
Is the purchase of more technology equipment or software required?
Do I have to take my class to tour the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in order to use the lesson plans effectively?
What other resources are available to help teachers implement these lessons in their classrooms?
How can I use the NLB eMuseum curriculum materials without violating copyright laws?
A note about reputable resources and searches
Who created these lesson plans?
How does African American baseball and history fit with what I am already teaching?
Since most students have a general idea of history from previous classes, it is important that the lesson content is different than what is found in traditional textbooks and historical lessons. Negro League baseball and Black history can be used as a platform to teach important historical information throughout the year by utilizing the six historical timeframes and the platform approach when teaching social studies/history curriculum. A deeper level of historical knowledge and student engagement can be achieved through teaching all levels of learners through this approach.
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How can I use this information?
The lesson plans are created by teachers for teachers, utilizing experts in Negro Leagues history. Flexible, ready-to-use lesson plans include everything teachers may need, such as assessment rubrics, pre-made worksheets, note-taking guides, extension and enrichment ideas, and resources for diverse learners to save time and frustration. Teachers are encouraged to use all or part of the lesson, or use the information as a springboard for existing lesson plans. The lessons can be utilized with an entire class, in small groups, or individual students if you like.
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How do the lessons motivate students?
Students learn material that has meaning to them and information that is new and different. Therefore, the more interesting the lesson, the higher the students’ level of engagement will be. The themes of baseball and African American accomplishments in history are highly engaging, and provide powerful platforms from which to approach other historical lessons. Almost all students have a connection to baseball either through their own experiences at home, with state and national team favorites, or participation in the sport. The multi-sensory, technology-infused approach catches and holds the students’ interest.
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Are the lessons easy to use?
Each lesson plan is designed to be comprehensive, effective and user friendly for teachers. The lessons are designed so teachers can download and use them without having to make any changes to meet the required curriculum guidelines in their school, district, or state.
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Why should I use these lesson plans instead of others?
The provided lesson plans include target grade level, time allotment needed, related national and state standards, why the lesson content is important, a rationale, objectives, primary and secondary resources, online resources, detailed procedures and activities, a conclusion, assessment options, extension and enrichment, and rubrics, handouts, and technology instructions as needed.
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What about students who need accommodations/ modifications?
Each lesson plan contains ideas and resources for diverse learners. These resources include text written at a lower readability level, graphic organizers, note-taking guides and alternative assignments. The “Big Ideas” of each lesson plan are outlined so that teachers may sift curricular standards to meet the needs of students with different learning objectives. For more information click on the Resources for Diverse Learners link included with each lesson plan.
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My technology skills are not very good. Can I still use the lessons in my classroom?
Yes, even though the lesson plans include technology skills, step-by-step directions are provided for the teacher and the students throughout the lesson plans.
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Is the purchase of more technology equipment or software required?
No. Lesson plans make use of free technology such as the internet and freeware (software that is free to all users). All that is needed are computers with internet access. In addition, many lessons ask students to work in groups when using technology skills so having a limited number of computers would not greatly affect the quality of the lessons. To assist teachers, a technology toolbox has been provided for technical/instructional support. The technology toolbox contains media players, directions, and downloadable materials to assist you in using technology in the classroom.
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Do I have to take my class to tour the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in order to use the lesson plans effectively?
No, but the museum is a wonderful way to increase student motivation and further their understanding of how the Negro Leagues content connects throughout United States history. If a visit is planned, teachers can request a curriculum guide from the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum containing guiding questions to use with their students when visiting the museum. Students can also walk on the Negro Leagues field at the museum with life-size statues of some of the Negro League players. The NLBM also has a state-of-the-art traveling museum for large groups which can be arranged through the museum. More information can be found at www.nlbm.com or 1-888-221-NLBM.
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What other resources are available to help teachers implement these lessons in their classrooms?
Each lesson is designed to meet national and state history/social studies standards, which are provided in each lesson plan. However, since each district’s guidelines may vary, we encourage you to obtain your school district’s curriculum guide to ensure the lessons you teach meet the district guidelines.
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How can I use the NLB eMuseum curriculum materials without violating copyright laws?
Written materials, art work and photography on this site are copyrighted by the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, other writers, photographers, and organizations. Written materials on these pages may be distributed and duplicated if unchanged in format and content. They may also be e-mailed from person to person unaltered. Educators may alter the materials for personal classroom use to meet their and their students' needs. All other uses, transmissions and duplications or alterations are prohibited unless permission is granted expressly.
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A note about reputable resources and searches:
Unfortunately, not all resources are reputable or fact-based, so a list of quality websites, books, films, and other resources for use with students has been provided. This list is not exhaustive, but can offer a place for teachers and students to research and find information. (hotlink to resources is coming soon).
Be sure students are using proper search engines when performing internet searches, try:
Google: www.google.com
Yahoo: www.yahoo.com
Ask Jeeves: www.askjeeves.com
Dogpile: www.dogpile.com
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Who created these lesson plans?
The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and Kansas State University would like to recognize the efforts of the following contributors in the creation of the NLBM lesson plans and curriculum materials.
The project directors:
Tara Baillargeon- NLBM eMuseum director
Cari Barragree- NLBM curriculum project director
Ray Doswell- NLBM curator
Ann Elliott- Resources for Diverse Learners director
The teachers that made this project possible by contributing lesson plans and real world experience:
Martha Biggs
Ed Chandler
Lori Molt
Paula Swartzman-Waters
With special thanks to Dr. Gerald Bailey from Kansas State University, for without his guidance and leadership this project would not have come to fruition.
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