Activity Overview
The Fierce 44: Black Americans Who Shook Up The World
This book can either be a whole class read aloud over a few days or a week, or may be assigned as an individual reading assignment. After the text has been read and discussed as a class, students will pick at least one African American from the book and create a 3-5 cell spider map highlighting that person. Teachers may differentiate by having the students research these individuals further, or by creating a map using just the information in the text. Alternatively, teachers may allow the students to choose 3-5 people, and include a brief summary and an image about them in each of the cells (see example).
Example Names From The Text
- Muhammad Ali
- Simone Biles
- Barack Obama
- Frederick Douglass
- Aretha Franklin
- Jesse Owens
- Harriet Tubman
- Martin Luther King, Jr.
- Michael Jordan
- Jay-Z
- Stevie Wonder
- Thurgood Marshall
- Jackie Robinson
- Quincy Jones
- Oprah Winfrey
- Sidney Poitier
- Duke Ellington
- Katherine Johnson
- Ida B. Wells
- Jimi Hendrix
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create a spider map about an African American person who is of interest to them from the book The Fierce 44: Black Americans Who Shook Up the World.
Student Instructions:
- Choose a person.
- Using school resources, conduct research and learn more about your chosen person, or use the information from the book.
- Create a 3-5 cell spider map that highlights what you have learned about that person. Some ideas for information to include: date and place of birth, family and education, and major accomplishments .
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Needs Improvement | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Description | The descriptions include at least four important facts about the famous or historic figure. | The descriptions include less than four important facts or they include information that is not pertinent to the famous or historic figure. | The descriptions are incomplete and do not contain important information about the famous or historic figure. |
| Artistic Depictions | The art chosen to depict the scenes, characters and items that are appropriate to the famous or historic figure. They enhance the poster by symbolizing or illustrating important facts about the figure. Time and care is taken to ensure that the scenes are neat, eye-catching, and creative. | The art chosen to depict the scenes, characters and items are mostly accurate, but there may be some liberties taken that distract from the assignment. Scene constructions are neat, and meet basic expectations. | The art chosen to depict the scenes, characters and items is too limited or incomplete. |
| English Conventions | Ideas are organized. There are few or no grammatical, mechanical, or spelling errors. | Ideas are mostly organized. There are some grammatical, mechanical, or spelling errors. | Storyboard text is difficult to understand. |
Activity Overview
The Fierce 44: Black Americans Who Shook Up The World
This book can either be a whole class read aloud over a few days or a week, or may be assigned as an individual reading assignment. After the text has been read and discussed as a class, students will pick at least one African American from the book and create a 3-5 cell spider map highlighting that person. Teachers may differentiate by having the students research these individuals further, or by creating a map using just the information in the text. Alternatively, teachers may allow the students to choose 3-5 people, and include a brief summary and an image about them in each of the cells (see example).
Example Names From The Text
- Muhammad Ali
- Simone Biles
- Barack Obama
- Frederick Douglass
- Aretha Franklin
- Jesse Owens
- Harriet Tubman
- Martin Luther King, Jr.
- Michael Jordan
- Jay-Z
- Stevie Wonder
- Thurgood Marshall
- Jackie Robinson
- Quincy Jones
- Oprah Winfrey
- Sidney Poitier
- Duke Ellington
- Katherine Johnson
- Ida B. Wells
- Jimi Hendrix
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create a spider map about an African American person who is of interest to them from the book The Fierce 44: Black Americans Who Shook Up the World.
Student Instructions:
- Choose a person.
- Using school resources, conduct research and learn more about your chosen person, or use the information from the book.
- Create a 3-5 cell spider map that highlights what you have learned about that person. Some ideas for information to include: date and place of birth, family and education, and major accomplishments .
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Needs Improvement | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Description | The descriptions include at least four important facts about the famous or historic figure. | The descriptions include less than four important facts or they include information that is not pertinent to the famous or historic figure. | The descriptions are incomplete and do not contain important information about the famous or historic figure. |
| Artistic Depictions | The art chosen to depict the scenes, characters and items that are appropriate to the famous or historic figure. They enhance the poster by symbolizing or illustrating important facts about the figure. Time and care is taken to ensure that the scenes are neat, eye-catching, and creative. | The art chosen to depict the scenes, characters and items are mostly accurate, but there may be some liberties taken that distract from the assignment. Scene constructions are neat, and meet basic expectations. | The art chosen to depict the scenes, characters and items is too limited or incomplete. |
| English Conventions | Ideas are organized. There are few or no grammatical, mechanical, or spelling errors. | Ideas are mostly organized. There are some grammatical, mechanical, or spelling errors. | Storyboard text is difficult to understand. |
How Tos about The Fierce 44:Black Americans Who Shook Up The World
Incorporate The Fierce 44 into cross-curricular projects
Enhance learning by connecting Black history to other subjects like writing, art, or science. For example, have students write poems about their chosen figure, create timeline posters, or explore the science behind a person's achievements. This approach supports deeper understanding and keeps students engaged across content areas.
Introduce the project with an engaging read-aloud
Start by reading select biographies aloud to the class. Use expressive voices and pause for questions to build excitement. This strategy helps all students access the content and sets a positive tone for the project.
Guide students in selecting meaningful figures
Encourage students to pick a person who inspires them or whom they want to learn more about. Offer brief overviews of several figures to spark curiosity and ensure diverse choices.
Model how to research using multiple resources
Demonstrate how to gather information from the book, library, and trusted websites. Show how to take notes on key facts and accomplishments. This supports research skills and helps students feel confident as they work independently.
Support students in creating visually appealing spider maps
Provide clear templates and examples of spider maps. Offer tips for organizing information and adding images. Encourage creativity by allowing students to use colors, drawings, or digital tools if available.
Frequently Asked Questions about The Fierce 44:Black Americans Who Shook Up The World
What is The Fierce 44: Black Americans Who Shook Up the World about?
The Fierce 44 is a book that highlights the stories and achievements of 44 influential Black Americans who made significant impacts in history, culture, politics, sports, and more. It's designed to inspire students through real-life role models.
How can teachers use The Fierce 44 for a classroom lesson?
Teachers can use The Fierce 44 as a class read-aloud or assign it for individual reading. Afterward, students can create a spider map focusing on one or more people from the book, summarizing key facts and accomplishments to deepen understanding.
What is a spider map activity for The Fierce 44?
A spider map is a graphic organizer where students choose a person from The Fierce 44 and create 3-5 connected cells that highlight important details like birth, education, family, and major achievements, helping organize key information visually.
Who are some notable figures featured in The Fierce 44?
The Fierce 44 showcases influential Black Americans such as Muhammad Ali, Simone Biles, Barack Obama, Harriet Tubman, Aretha Franklin, Martin Luther King Jr., Michael Jordan, and more, representing a range of fields and eras.
What are some tips for differentiating The Fierce 44 classroom activity for different learners?
Teachers can differentiate by letting students research beyond the book, choose multiple people, or focus just on book content. Varying the number of spider map cells and allowing creative formats supports diverse learning needs and abilities.
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