Activity

African American Soldiers in World War I

Curated and Reviewed by Lesson Planet

Finding good primary source materials to support any study of history can be a challenge and time-consuming. A set of 11 primary source letters, images, and text excerpts provide young historians with an opportunity to sharpen their analysis skills while learning about the experiences of African American soldiers during World War I.

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CCSS: Adaptable
Instructional Ideas
  • Model how to analyze one of the documents 
  • Guide the class through a reading of "The Blood Test" point out the stereotypical thinking embedded in the text
  • Divide the class into nine groups, provide each group with a different resource, have them analyze the document, and report their findings to the whole class
  • Use the packet during a study of World War I and or during February's Black History Month
Classroom Considerations
  • A protocol must be in place for a safe, respectful discussion of the language and point of view of the MacIntyre excerpt "The Blood Test"
  • If groups have access to computers with internet, save on copying cost by loading the documents on the devices
Pros
  • The resources reveal the racism and segregation African American soldiers faced
  • The packet includes suggestions for inquiry-based learning, discussion questions, and activities
Cons
  • None