Student Exercise One: Identify the historical context of the integration of baseball.

Have the class research primary documents and secondary accounts of the era in order to set an accurate and inclusive context for this event.

1. Divide the class into small groups. Assign each group a specific area of research and the task of looking at each of the following websites. The topics should include Jim Crow, African Americans and the Great Depression, African Americans and the war, and segregated professional baseball leagues. Divide the following websites among the groups.

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/jimcrow/stories_events_jackie.html

http://www.wc.pdx.edu/jackierobinson/jackie.html

http://lcweb2.loc.gov/service/mss/eadxmlmss/eadpdfmss/2003/
ms003031.pdf

http://www.jimcrowhistory.org/resources/gateway.htm

http://www.americanheritage.com/articles/magazine/ah/1984/5/ 1984_5_34.shtml
(court martial)

http://www.sconet.state.oh.us/Justices/pfeifer/column/1999/jp111799.htm
(court martial)

http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h2068.html
(military)

http://www.jimcrowhistory.org/resources/lessonplans/ hs_in_robinson_rickey.htm

http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/collections/robinson/jr1860s.html

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BUE/is_12_139/ai_n19020399

http://www.answers.com/topic/jackie-robinson

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/forum/april97/kahn_4-24.html

http://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/1997/summer/jackie-robinson.html

http://www.loc.gov/today/pr/2001/01-169.html

http://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/jackie-robinson/index.html

2. Each group should compile the information gleaned from the assigned document and evaluate the significance of their research.

3. Using the "jigsaw" approach to group work, shift the members of the groups so that each new group has a representative from each of the original groups. The task for these groups is to share their research.

4. As a class, consider all the information that has been discussed in the individual groups.

5. Have the class develop an annotated timeline of events that they identify as significant to a greater understanding of the story of the integration of baseball. This timeline should create a fully developed historical context.

Student Exercise Two: Panel Discussion

1. Set up a panel discussion, using four to eight students. Topic: Why was Jackie Robinson chosen to integrate professional baseball and why in 1947?
2. Have the class brainstorm some possible responses to the question.
3. Select members of the panel and have them prepare an argument to present on the panel discussion.
4. The remainder of the class should prepare for questions. This will require that they understand the issues and arguments thoroughly.

Student Exercise Three: Class project

Write a children's story about Jackie Robinson and the integration of professional baseball.

Extension Activity: Debate

Have the class research the primary and secondary documents about Paul Robeson and the HUAC hearings that occurred in the late 1940s. They should compile a list of questions to guide them through their reading. The questions should include the following:

• Who is Paul Robeson?
• What was the historical background for the hearings?
• What was Jackie Robinson's role in the HUAC hearings?
• What was the impact of the hearing?

Have the class research the life of Paul Robeson. Hear are some useful sites:

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/database/robeson_p.html

http://www.princeton.lib.nj.us/robeson/links.html

http://www2.scc.rutgers.edu/njh/PaulRobeson/

http://www.africawithin.com/bios/paul_robeson.htm

HUAC Hearing:

http://cip.cornell.edu/DPubS/Repository/1.0/Disseminate/ psu.ph/1134144001/body/pdf

http://historymatters.gmu.edu/d/6440

http://www.authentichistory.com/1950s/speeches/ 19490718_Jackie_Robinson_Before_HUAC.html

http://www.aafla.org/ SportsLibrary/JSH/JSH1979/JSH0602/jsh0602b.pdf

Debate

Using the research, set up a debate using the following resolution:

Resolved: Jackie Robinson should NOT have testified against Paul Robeson before the House Un-American Committee