Famous Americans and Their Contributions

Standard of Learning

Essential Understandings, Knowledge, and Skills

Content

Understand that individuals in the past have worked successfully to improve the lives of other Americans in the United States.

Identify these selected Americans and their contributions toward improving the lives of other Americans:

• George Washington: He led the fight for freedom from England and helped establish a new country.
• Abraham Lincoln: He was the President of the United States who helped free African American slaves.
• Susan B. Anthony: She led the struggle to give women equal rights, including the right to vote.
• Helen Keller: She overcame disabilities and worked to help others who were blind and/or deaf.
• Jackie Robinson: He was the first African American player in the major leagues of baseball. His actions helped to bring about other opportunities for African Americans.
• Martin Luther King:  He was an African American minister who worked so that all people would be treated fairly. He led peaceful marches and gave speeches.                                       

Sample Resources

Below is an annotated list of Internet resources for this organizing topic. Copyright restrictions may exist for the material on some Web sites. Please note and abide by any such restrictions.

Abraham Lincoln. <http://www.siec.k12.in.us/~west/proj/lincoln/>. This Web site provides facts about Abraham Lincoln.

“Abraham Lincoln.” EnchantedLearning.com. <http://www.EnchantedLearning.com/history/us/pres/lincoln/index.shtml>. This Web page features timelines, activities, crafts, and coloring printouts about Abraham Lincoln. 

“Abraham Lincoln.” Famous Americans. Anne Pemberton. <http://www.educationalsynthesis.org/famamer/Lincoln.html>. This Web page features information about Abraham Lincoln.

“Biographies for K–3: Virginia SOLs.” King’s Park Elementary. <http://www.fcps.k12.va.us/KingsParkES/technology/bios/index.htm>. This Web page features biographies of famous Americans.

“Civil Rights.” The Kids Report. University of Wisconsin-Madison Libraries.<http://www.madison.k12.wi.us/tnl/detectives/kids/KIDS-000314.html>. The KIDS Report is a biweekly publication produced by K–12 students as a resource to other K–12 students.

Famous American Women. Swarthmore College Peace Collection. <http://www.educationalsynthesis.org/famamer/Women.html>. This Web site features famous American women.

“George Washington.” EnchantedLearning.com. <http://www.EnchantedLearning.com/history/us/pres/washington/index.shtml>. This Web page offers timelines, activities, crafts, and coloring printouts about George Washington.

“George Washington.” Famous Americans. Anne Pemberton. This Web page features information about George Washington. <http://www.educationalsynthesis.org/famamer/Washington.html>.  

“Graphic Organizers.” Education Place. Houghton Mifflin. <http://www.eduplace.com/graphicorganizer/>. This Web page has a collection of graphic organizers. 
“Graphic Organizers.” SCORE. Schools of California Online Resources for Education. <http://www.sdcoe.k12.ca.us/score/actbank/torganiz.htm>. This Web page offers a variety of formats for graphic organizers.

HelenKellerKidsMuseum Online. American Foundation for the Blind. <http://www.afb.org/braillebug/hkmuseum.asp>. This Web site provides biographical information about Helen Keller.

Matusevich, Melissa. Social Studies Curriculum Resources Poster Sets.  <http://chumby.dlib.vt.edu/melissa/posters/posterset.html>. This Web site is a resource of social studies poster sets for grades K-3.

“Susan B. Anthony.” Women of the Hall. National Women’s Hall of Fame. <http://www.greatwomen.org/women.php?action=viewone&id=13>. This Web page provides biographical information about Susan B. Anthony.

“Teaching With Documents Lesson Plan: Beyond the Playing Field —Jackie Robinson, Civil Rights Advocate.” The National Archives Experience (NARA). <http://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/jackie-robinson/>. This is a Web page of lessons about Jackie Robinson.

“Teaching With Documents Lesson Plan: Court Documents Related to Martin Luther King, Jr. and Memphis Sanitation Workers.” The National Archives Experience (NARA).<http://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/memphis-v-mlk/>. This is a Web page of lessons about Martin Luther King.

The White House. <http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/gw1.html>. The White House Web site provides a brief biography of George Washington.