Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans

Lesson 14
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ELA

Unit 6

4th Grade

Lesson 14 of 25

Objective


Explain what life was like on the frontier for Buffalo Soldiers and freed Black people.

Readings and Materials


  • Book: Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans by Kadir Nelson  — Chapter 6

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Target Task


Writing Prompt

What was life like on the frontier for Buffalo Soldiers and freed Black people? Use details from the text and illustrations to support your answer.

Sample Response

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Key Questions


  • Who were the Buffalo Soldiers? How did they win "the respect of both their peers and their enemies" (p. 48)?

  • What details does the author include to show how the Seminole Indians and other Indian tribes were treated?

  • What was the Homestead Act? Was everyone welcomed out West? Explain why or why not.

  • Read the quote from page 51. "Abraham Lincoln said once that if some of us can enjoy the fruits of freedom while our brothers and sisters are still bound by their countrymen, then none of us are truly free." What did Abraham Lincoln mean by this statement? Do you agree or disagree with him?

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Common Core Standards


  • RI.4.3 — Explain events, procedures, ideas, or concepts in a historical, scientific, or technical text, including what happened and why, based on specific information in the text.
  • RI.4.7 — Interpret information presented visually, orally, or quantitatively (e.g., in charts, graphs, diagrams, time lines, animations, or interactive elements on Web pages) and explain how the information contributes to an understanding of the text in which it appears.
  • RI.4.8 — Explain how an author uses reasons and evidence to support particular points in a text.

Supporting Standards

L.4.4
L.4.6
RF.4.3
RF.4.4
RI.4.1
RI.4.4
RI.4.10
SL.4.1
W.4.10

Next

Explain what effect the Great Migration had on the lives of African Americans and the challenges they faced in their new communities. 

Lesson 15
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