Heroes of Black History (America Handbooks, a Time for Kids)
#1 in Time for Kids(r) Informational Text Series
on Goodreads (36)
What’s inside...
TIME For Kids Heroes of Black History presents the stories of Harriet Tubman, Jackie Robinson, Rosa Parks, and Barack Obama, highlighting their personal histories and contributions to social justice in America. The book includes an introduction by journalist and civil rights activist Charlayne Hunter-Gault, illustrations, photographs, sidebars with additional context, and a timeline of African American history. It also profiles over twenty additional black historical figures, providing a comprehensive overview of their impacts and the ongoing fight for equality.
Discussion points
What qualities do you think make someone a hero? How did the individuals in the book demonstrate these qualities?
Which hero from the book inspired you the most, and what is one thing you learned from their story?
How do the challenges faced by these heroes compare to challenges people might face today?
Why is it important to learn about different heroes from history? How can their stories influence our lives now?
How can we apply the lessons learned from these heroes to help others in our community?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start by sharing your own thoughts on a hero from the book to model reflective thinking.
Encourage your child to express their feelings and thoughts about each story, affirming their responses to build confidence.
Connect the historical events to your child's experiences or current events to make the discussion more relatable.
Pose hypothetical scenarios inspired by the book, such as, 'What would you do if you were in a similar situation?' to foster critical thinking.
After discussing, encourage your child to draw or write about a new hero they learned about, helping them process and express their understanding creatively.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Courage and perseverance
Explanation: The book narrates the stories of prominent Black figures who faced immense challenges yet persevered to achieve great things.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by standing up for their beliefs and persisting through challenges in school or their personal lives.
Example Lesson: Equality and justice
Explanation: The stories illustrate the struggles and successes in fighting against racial inequality, emphasizing the importance of treating everyone with fairness and respect.
Real-World Application: Kids can practice this lesson by being inclusive and fair to all of their peers, regardless of background, in their interactions at school and in the community.
Example Lesson: Importance of education
Explanation: Many figures in the book used education as a crucial tool to open doors and inspire change, highlighting how knowledge can empower individuals.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to value and pursue their education, seeing it as a pathway to influence and improve their own lives and the world around them.
Example Lesson: Leadership and influence
Explanation: The book covers influential leaders who made significant impacts on society, showing children how leadership is tied to helping and serving others.
Real-World Application: This lesson can guide children to take on leadership roles in group activities and community services, inspiring positive changes and teamwork.