RILINK Schools: Black History Biography Research: Home

Research Assignment

Research a famous African-American:

Use the resources in this LibGuide to find information
Use your "Cave Man" Notetaking skills
Use the project guidelines
Make a Bibliography (list) of the resources you use

History Channel Timeline

Books in our Library

Onward by Dolores Johnson
Call Number: B HEN
ISBN: 079227914X
Publication Date: 2005-12-27
The conquest of the North Pole was an elusive, almost impossible goal at the beginning of the last century. But a son of patrician parents, Robert E. Peary, and a son of sharecroppers, Matthew Henson, shared a dream of conquering the unconquered North Pole and were brave enough to risk their lives numerous times before they finally succeeded. Henson and Peary's jubilation at finally reaching the Pole was later tempered by the controversy that swirled around their achievement. Once their deed was recognized, African-American Henson still was not. It took history a long time to hail him as a hero of exploration.

We have many biographies of African-Americans in our library. Biographies are shelved in alphabetical order by the famous person's last name. For example, a biography of Martin Luther King Jr. would have the spine label B KIN.

Here are few examples of Black History Books available in our library:

When Marian Sang by Pam Muñoz Ryan; Brian Selznick (Illustrator)
Call Number: B AND
ISBN: 0439269679
Publication Date: 2002-10-01
Most people know Marian Anderson from her historic concert on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in 1939, which drew an integrated crowd of over 75,000 people in pre-Civil Rights America. While this momentous event showcased the uniqueness of her voice, the strength of her character, and the struggles of the times in which she lived, it is only part of her story. Here is a woman who deserves wide recognition for her vital contributions to American history and music, to women and African-Americans, and to all of humanity.

Standards

CCSs for Reading Informational Text 7 - 8

Students will read for integration of knowledge and ideas.

CCSs for Writing 7 - 9

Students will research to build and present knowledge.

GSEs for Social Studies Historical Perspectives 1 - 5

Students will act as historians using a variety of tools.

AAS Library Standards 1, 3

Students will inquire, think, critically, and gain knowledge.

Students will share knowledge and participate ethically and productively.

World Book Student Database

World Book Student Biography Center provides articles and photos of many famous black Americans.

Type the name of the person you are researching in the search box. Search results will open in a new tab.

Kid's Search Database

Use this link to search for magazine articles about famous African-Americans.

Teacher Approved Websites

Smithsonian's Meet Amazing Americans
Find famous African Americans in the list to learn more about them.
History Channel Black History Month
The History Channel provides interesting videos, audio, photos, and interactives about Black History Month. Some advertising may appear but the resources are excellent.