Jackie Steals Home. Learning Page Lesson Plan.

In this lesson, students draw on their previous studies of American history and culture as they analyze primary sources from "Jackie Robinson and Other Baseball Highlights, 1860s-1960s" in the American Memory collection. A close reading of two documents relating to Jackie Robinson's breaking of the racial barrier in professional baseball leads to a deeper exploration of racism in the United States, both in and out of sports. Students will: analyze primary documents closely; research documents specific to the history of race relations in mid-20th century United States; and draw conclusions moving from the specific documents to the broader society and test them for validity. The lesson plan is suited to American history and American studies classes for grades 9 through 12, and should take two to three hours. A procedure contains: an overview; an introduction to primary sources; an analysis of Jackie Robinson's letter; and an analysis of Branch Rickey's speech. Contains resources used and student handouts. (PM)