African-American Heroes of the Civil War

Builds reading comprehension skills with reproducible biographies, creative projects and more. The courage of African American heroes is explored through six biographical readings followed by a variety of activities. An introduction asks ''What is a hero,'' then lays out the broad context of American slavery, resistance, and roles African Americans played in the Civil War. Next come profiles of six heroic figures on the battlefields and behind the lines: Andre Cailloux, William Carney, Robert Smalls, Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, and Charlotte Forten. The simple, easy-to-read biographies precede a glossary, vocabulary activity, reading comprehension questions, creative project, map activity, and additional thumbnail biographies of similar heroes. For example, the chapter on William Carney, hero of the 54th Massachusetts attack on Fort Wagner, concludes with the stories of other Congressional Medal of Honor winners. Teacher pages suggest ELL strategies and, as a culminating project, creation of heroic action comic books. Reading level: grades 4-5. Interest level: grades 5-12. Answer key. Index. Bibliography. Suggested readings. Illustrated. JWW209