This lesson introduces young learners to the concepts of freedom, fairness, and courage through the experiences of African Americans who worked to create more just and equitable communities. Using the picture book Brave Ballerina: The Story of Janet Collins alongside brief, age-appropriate introductions to historical figures such as Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass, students explore how acts of resilience and leadership contributed to the pursuit of freedom in the United States.
Through guided discussion, collaborative brainstorming, and a culminating activity, students examine how individuals have demonstrated strength and agency in the face of injustice. The lesson encourages students to make connections between historical examples of advocacy and their own ability to practice fairness, kindness, and responsibility within their school and community.
By engaging with these stories and activities, students begin building foundational understandings of how people work together to shape a more inclusive and compassionate society.
New Jersey Student Learning Standards
- 6.1.2.HistoryCC.3: Make inferences about how events, actions, and choices shaped communities.
- 6.1.2.CivicsCM.3: Explain how diversity, tolerance, fairness, and respect for others can contribute to individuals feeling accepted.
Curriculum
- 2 Sections
- 2 Lessons
- Lifetime
- Stage 11
- Stage 21
