Activity Overview
While reading Stamped, students will encounter historical figures they've heard about, and some that they may not have known about before. In this activity, students will create a map of the historical figures mentioned in the book paying close attention to their impact on the history of racism in America. Students can choose 4 or more historical figures, research their birth, death, place, occupation, accomplishments, and most importantly the positive or negative impact they have had on upholding or fighting to eradicate racism.
The example for this activity contains 24 historical figures mentioned in Stamped along with brief descriptions of each person. These could be printed out as single pages or shown in slideshow mode digitally and used as a preview or recap of the book.
Historical Figures Mentioned in Stamped
- Gomes Eanes de Zurara
- John Cotton
- Richard Mather
- Cotton Mather
- Thomas Jefferson
- Benjamin Franklin
- Phillis Wheatley
- William Lloyd Garrison
- Frederick Douglass
- Harriet Beecher Stowe
- Abraham Lincoln
- W.E.B. Du Bois
- Booker T. Washington
- Ida B. Wells
- Marcus Garvey
- Jack Johnson
- Muhammad Ali
- Angela Davis
- Zora Neale Hurston
- John F. Kennedy
- Martin Luther King, Jr.
- Lyndon B. Johnson
- Malcolm X
- Langston Hughes
- Ma Rainey
- James Baldwin
- Audre Lorde
- Ronald Regan
- George Bush
- Bill Clinton
- George W. Bush
- Barack Obama
- Michelle Obama
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 chart for the major historical figures mentioned in Stamped.
Student Instructions:
- Identify 4 or more major figures in Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You and type their names into the different title boxes.
- Choose a Storyboard That character to represent each of the historical figures.
- Select colors and a pose appropriate to the story and character traits.
- Choose a scene or background that makes sense for the character.
- Fill in Textables for "birth, death, location", "occupation/accomplishments", and "impact (positive or negative) on the history of racism in America"
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Needs Improvement | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Description | The descriptions include years living and location, occupation or accomplishments, and impact that the person has made. | The descriptions include some of the 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 characters is appropriate to the famous or historic figure. | The art chosen to depict characters is appropriate to the famous or historic figure, but there may be some liberties taken that distract from the assignment. | The art chosen to depict the characters 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
While reading Stamped, students will encounter historical figures they've heard about, and some that they may not have known about before. In this activity, students will create a map of the historical figures mentioned in the book paying close attention to their impact on the history of racism in America. Students can choose 4 or more historical figures, research their birth, death, place, occupation, accomplishments, and most importantly the positive or negative impact they have had on upholding or fighting to eradicate racism.
The example for this activity contains 24 historical figures mentioned in Stamped along with brief descriptions of each person. These could be printed out as single pages or shown in slideshow mode digitally and used as a preview or recap of the book.
Historical Figures Mentioned in Stamped
- Gomes Eanes de Zurara
- John Cotton
- Richard Mather
- Cotton Mather
- Thomas Jefferson
- Benjamin Franklin
- Phillis Wheatley
- William Lloyd Garrison
- Frederick Douglass
- Harriet Beecher Stowe
- Abraham Lincoln
- W.E.B. Du Bois
- Booker T. Washington
- Ida B. Wells
- Marcus Garvey
- Jack Johnson
- Muhammad Ali
- Angela Davis
- Zora Neale Hurston
- John F. Kennedy
- Martin Luther King, Jr.
- Lyndon B. Johnson
- Malcolm X
- Langston Hughes
- Ma Rainey
- James Baldwin
- Audre Lorde
- Ronald Regan
- George Bush
- Bill Clinton
- George W. Bush
- Barack Obama
- Michelle Obama
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 chart for the major historical figures mentioned in Stamped.
Student Instructions:
- Identify 4 or more major figures in Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You and type their names into the different title boxes.
- Choose a Storyboard That character to represent each of the historical figures.
- Select colors and a pose appropriate to the story and character traits.
- Choose a scene or background that makes sense for the character.
- Fill in Textables for "birth, death, location", "occupation/accomplishments", and "impact (positive or negative) on the history of racism in America"
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Needs Improvement | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Description | The descriptions include years living and location, occupation or accomplishments, and impact that the person has made. | The descriptions include some of the 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 characters is appropriate to the famous or historic figure. | The art chosen to depict characters is appropriate to the famous or historic figure, but there may be some liberties taken that distract from the assignment. | The art chosen to depict the characters 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 Historical Figures in Stamped
How to guide students in respectful discussions about historical figures in Stamped
Encourage open-mindedness by setting clear expectations for respectful dialogue. Remind students that everyone may have different perspectives on each historical figure's impact.
Model active listening during classroom conversations
Show students how to listen carefully and acknowledge others' ideas before sharing their own. Use sentence starters like, "I hear you saying..." to reinforce understanding.
Provide sentence frames to support thoughtful participation
Offer students sentence stems such as, "I agree with... because..." or "One thing I wonder is..." to help them respectfully express opinions and questions.
Facilitate small group discussions for deeper engagement
Divide students into small groups to discuss the positive or negative impacts of assigned figures. Rotate roles like discussion leader or note-taker to ensure everyone participates.
Debrief as a class to connect insights and foster reflection
Bring students together to share highlights from their group discussions. Encourage reflection on how understanding multiple perspectives shapes our view of history.
Frequently Asked Questions about Historical Figures in Stamped
What is the historical figures character map activity for Stamped?
The historical figures character map activity for Stamped asks students to research and chart key people mentioned in the book, focusing on their backgrounds, accomplishments, and their impact on racism in America. Students create visual maps with details like birth, occupation, and positive or negative influence on history.
How can I help students analyze the impact of historical figures in Stamped?
Guide students to research each figure's actions and legacy, then discuss whether their influence upheld or challenged racism. Encourage critical thinking by having students provide supporting evidence from the book or other sources.
Which historical figures are featured in Stamped and why are they important?
Stamped features figures like Frederick Douglass, Angela Davis, Abraham Lincoln, and Barack Obama, among others. These individuals are important because they each played a role in the history of racism and antiracism in America, offering diverse perspectives and impacts.
What are some tips for creating an engaging historical figure lesson for Stamped?
Use visual aids like maps or digital slideshows, let students choose figures that interest them, and encourage creative representation (e.g., through character design or scene selection). Facilitate discussions on their lasting impact to foster deeper understanding.
How does mapping historical figures enhance student understanding of racism in America?
Mapping historical figures helps students visualize connections, recognize the complexity of history, and understand how individual actions contributed to shaping attitudes toward racism and antiracism over time.
More Storyboard That Activities
Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You
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