Divide students into four groups based on the following topics:

• childhood
• adulthood
• accomplishments
• character trait

Then, as a class, read aloud the obituaries of DeBaptiste and have students take notes on the category they have been assigned.

Provide each group with a poster board, construction paper, markers and scissors. After completing the reading, have students write a paragraph from their notes about their topic. For example, the students assigned childhood, should write about what they've learned from the documents about DeBaptiste's childhood.

Next, ask each individual student in the group to choose a symbol that is appropriate for the topic that they wrote about. For example, a pair of scissors for adulthood could represent that DeBaptiste was a barber for a time. Have each student draw and cut out his or her symbol for the poster. Have them mount their paragraphs with the symbols and label the poster board according to their topic. Have each group present its poster to the class.

To enhance the lesson for 8th graders, have them read the additional materials and then complete the questions on the A Life of Action worksheet [PDF]. Discuss the questions as a class.

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3rd and 4th Grade Curriculum Standards

Strand 1: Historical Perspective

1.2 Comprehending the Past
1.3 Analyzing & Interpreting the Past

Strand 4: Economic Perspective

4.2 Business Choices

Strand 5: Inquiry

5.1 Information Processing

Strand 6: Public Discourse and Decision Making

6.1 Identifying and Analyzing Issues
6.2 Group Discussion
6.3 Persuasive Writing

8th Grade Curriculum Standards

Strand 2: Geographic Perspective

2.3 Location, Movement, and Connections

Strand 3: Civic Perspective

3.2 Ideals of American Democracy
3.3 Democracy in Action

Strand 5: Inquiry

5.2 Conducting Investigations

Strand 6: Public Discourse and Decision Making

6.1 Identifying ad Analyzing Issues
6.2 Group Discussion

Strand 7: Citizen Involvement

7.1 Responsible Personal Conduct

Updated 01/25/2007

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Michigan Historical Center, Department of History, Arts and Libraries
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