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Subject: Language ArtsLesson Title: African American Football PioneersLANGUAGE ARTSGoals/Objectives:• To help students understand the contributions of African American football pioneers.• Students use Internet as a tool for finding and gathering information• Students use information gathered to write a biographical report and/or give an oralpresentation about chosen African American football pioneerNational Standards met: Language Arts - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12Methods/Procedures:• Students will go to the Pro Football Hall of Fame website at Profootballhof.com. Clickon the item from the History Section drop-down menu that is titled, “NFL History &Stats,” and locate the story called “African Americans in Pro Football.”• Scanning the list of “Firsts” by African Americans in Pro Football, students shouldselect one man upon which to complete further research.• Students should then begin searching for information about their chosen AfricanAmerican football pioneer.• Teacher should instruct students to examine the social and historical time period inwhich these men lived and worked. Teacher should also advise students to not onlyfocus on the man’s contributions to football, but also his contributions in other areas ofhis life. For example, the first African American head coach, Fritz Pollard, alsobecame a successful entrepreneur.• Students should take detailed notes about the man they have chosen. (To preventplagiarism, teacher can require students to provide a print out of all sources used.Depending on the grade level, students could even be required to complete a WorksCited Page and use MLA or APA documentation within the text of the essay.)• Using the information gathered, students will write a biographical essay (or prepare anoral report) about their chosen football pioneer.• Students will revise the essay with peer-editing help.• Students will conference with the teacher for a final revision.• Students will prepare a final copy for publication and presentation to the class.• Students will share their biographies with each other. Students can be instructed touse the web to search for information about current African Americans in pro football(teacher could require all students to identify five additional players).• The class can discuss the significance of football in terms of advancing racial equalityin our country. The class can also discuss football’s role in helping athletesaccomplish other goals in their lives (such as Fritz Pollard, who became a successfulAfrican American businessman after he left football).Materials:• Computers, paperAssessment:• Students will receive feedback from their peers regarding effectiveness of theirbiographies and/or presentations.• Teacher can also assess student learning during the class discussion.• The teacher can use a rubric to score each essay.Pro Football Hall of Fame Educational Outreach Program 28 New England Patriots Edition