Follow the history of individuals who changed the world with this collection of teaching resources for Black History Month.
- Understand and describe character traits
- Describe a character in depth, drawing on specific details in the story
- Describe how characters in a story respond to challenges
- Describe how Sojourner Truth is an important figure in history
- Sojourner Truth's Step-Stomp Stride by Andrea Davis Pinkney and Brian Pinkney
- Chart paper and markers
- A copy of the Sojourner Truth Character Traits Graphic Organizer printable for each student
- Lined writing paper or a journal for each student
- A teacher copy of the Character Traits Vocabulary List printable, for reference
- Pre-read the book.
- Make a copy of the Sojourner Truth Character Traits Graphic Organizer printable for each student.
- Prepare chart paper to make a bank of character trait adjectives for the class to reference. See the Character Traits Vocabulary List printable for suggestions.
Step 1: Tell the class that today they will be learning about a woman who played an important role in history. Her name was Sojourner Truth. Ask the class what knowledge they already have about her: Have you heard of Sojourner Truth? Who was she? What is she remembered for? Record the students’ answers on chart paper.
Step 2: Give the students a list of questions about Sojourner Truth. They should listen for the answers as you read. Questions could include: What does Sojourner look like? How does she act? What does she say?
Step 3: Read aloud Sojourner Truth's Step-Stomp Stride. Stop to ask and answer questions throughout the book, making sure to draw attention to the answers for your list of questions.
Step 4: As a class, brainstorm a list of adjectives that describe physical traits and record the list on chart paper. Students may use this chart as a reference when completing their own graphic organizers. Next, direct the class to list as many adjectives that describe Sojourner’s physical traits as they can on their Sojourner Truth Character Traits Graphic Organizer printables. Remind them they should use evidence from the book. Tell the students to also fill out why they think these traits are important to Sojourner’s story. How did her physical traits impact her life?
Step 5: Discuss character traits. Remind the class that character traits are words used to describe someone’s behaviors and attitudes. Brainstorm a list of adjectives that describe a person’s character, to add to your chart. On their graphic organizers, students will list as many adjectives as they can to describe Sojourner’s character. Direct them to also fill out why they think these traits are important to Sojourner’s story. How did her character traits impact her life?
Step 6: After describing Sojourner’s traits, students will think about themselves. Ask them: How would someone describe your physical traits? How would someone describe your character traits? Direct them to complete the column in the graphic organizer titled “Me.”
Step 7: Ask the class why Sojourner had several names. Who gave her the names? Which name was most important to her? Tell your students they may think of a new name for themselves, using the traits they used to describe themselves as inspiration.
Step 8: Have your students write a summary about Sojourner Truth using a journal or lined writing paper. Direct them to answer the questions asked at the beginning of the lesson: “Who was Sojourner Truth? What is she remembered for?”
Students may make a timeline of Sojourner’s life, including at least 5 important events.
- Is the student able to correctly identify adjectives to describe Sojourner’s physical traits?
- Is the student able to correctly identify adjectives to describe Sojourner’s character traits?
- Does the student correctly answer, “Who was Sojourner Truth? What is she remembered for?” in their summary?
Common Core State Standards