Program and Essay Contest Information Packet - New York City ...

ASSOCIATION OF TEACHERS OF SOCIAL STUDIES/UNITED FEDERATION OF TEACHERS
EXECUTIVE BOARD OFFICERS
Rozella Kirchgaessner*, President
ATSS/UFT Journal Editor
Ollie Fields Thacker, Vice President
Luis Vasquez, Recording Secretary
Pasquale D’ Onofrio, Treasurer
Carolyn Herbst*, Executive Secretary,
Sage Editor
Victoria Braxton, Membership Sec
Dr. Brenda Parnes, Corresponding Sec
Mary Ann O’Grady, Parliamentarian
EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERS
Ashley Acharya
John Agnello
Levi Anthony*
Rose Marie Armetta
Arthur Brown
Richard Brewer
Ronald Campana*
Mike Collazo
Cynthia R. Copeland
Wanda Daniels
Robert Dytell*
Dr. Richard Forman
Ledia Mara-Drita
Angela Magliano
L. Zenzele Magwood
Adrienne Rattray
Elliot Salow*
Herbert Schwarz
Harvey Seligman*
Helen S. Settles
Richard Steckmeister
Deborah Straughn Moore*
Patricia Urevith*
Alice Skinner Williams
Mark Willner
Jeffrey Winograd*
UFT COMMITTEE LIAISON
George Altomare
UFT COMMITTEE COORDINATOR
Nyree McCray
Charles Cogen* Founding Officer - 1937
(*)Past President / lifetime member
Affiliated with the New York State Council of Social Studies and the National Council of Social Studies
January 2010
To: All High School Principals, Social Studies Assistant Principals
U.S History and Government teachers, students, parents and guardians
From: Rozella G. Kirchgaessner, President/Chairperson
Re: On the Shoulders of Giants Program and Essay Contest
ATSS/UFT is proud to join together with the Skyhook Foundation and the
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture to offer you a unique
opportunity. You are cordially invited to participate in the live video stream
presentation of a program that will feature an introduction by Kareem Abdul-
Jabbar to his film, “On the Shoulders of Giants: The Story of the Greatest
Basketball Team You Never Heard Of” along with a complete viewing of the
film and a panel discussion including several prominent individuals featured in
the film. Please watch the Principal’s Weekly for specific information on
access to the video stream. The program will take place on Wednesday,
February 9, 2010 from 9am – 11am.
We also invite all students enrolled in United States History and Government
courses this year to participate in the essay contest described in the following
pages. We are indebted to Dana Chibbaro, Director of Social Studies and
Multicultural Education for Newark Public Schools for sharing the curriculum
materials her department created and for the genesis of the Essay Contest.
All submissions must be postmarked no later than March 1, 2011 and sent to
Rozella G. Kirchgaessner, President ATSS/UFT
On the Shoulders of Giants Essay Contest
52 Broadway, Twelfth Floor
New York, N.Y. 10004
We look forward to reading your selections. Winners will be announced in
May 2011. Questions may be sent to atssuftnyc@gmail.com
The MISSION of the Association of Teachers of Social Studies / United Federation of Teachers is to provide a
network wherein Social Studies educators and related professionals may advocate for Social Studies education
and share scholarship, information, strategies and practices related to the issues important to Social Studies
i i
UFT Professional Committees
52 Broadway, New York, NY 10004 p: 212.598.7772
http://www.uft.org/member/committees/
Officers: Michael Mulgrew President, Michael Mendel Secretary, Mel Aaronson Treasurer,
Robert Astrowsky Assistant Secretary, Mona Romain Assistant Treasurer
Vice Presidents: Karen Alford, Carmen Alvarez, Leo Casey, Richard Farkas, Aminda Gentile, Sterling Roberson Opieu 153

ASSOCIATION OF TEACHERS OF SOCIAL STUDIES/UNITED FEDERATION OF TEACHERS
EXECUTIVE BOARD OFFICERS
Rozella Kirchgaessner*, President
ATSS/UFT Journal Editor
Ollie Fields Thacker, Vice President
Luis Vasquez, Recording Secretary
Pasquale D’ Onofrio, Treasurer
Carolyn Herbst*, Executive Secretary,
Sage Editor
Victoria Braxton, Membership Sec
Dr. Brenda Parnes, Corresponding Sec
Mary Ann O’Grady, Parliamentarian
EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERS
Ashley Acharya
John Agnello
Levi Anthony*
Rose Marie Armetta
Arthur Brown
Richard Brewer
Ronald Campana*
Mike Collazo
Cynthia R. Copeland
Wanda Daniels
Robert Dytell*
Dr. Richard Forman
Ledia Mara-Drita
Angela Magliano
L. Zenzele Magwood
Adrienne Rattray
Elliot Salow*
Herbert Schwarz
Harvey Seligman*
Helen S. Settles
Richard Steckmeister
Deborah Straughn Moore*
Patricia Urevith*
Alice Skinner Williams
Mark Willner
Jeffrey Winograd*
UFT COMMITTEE LIAISON
George Altomare
UFT COMMITTEE COORDINATOR
Nyree McCray
Charles Cogen* Founding Officer - 1937
(*)Past President / lifetime member
Affiliated with the New York State Council of Social Studies and the National Council of Social Studies
“ON THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTS” ESSAY CONTEST
“Our youth can be our fate or our future”.
Mr. Abdul-Jabbar begins his introduction to On the Shoulders of Giants: My
Journey through the Harlem Renaissance, with this quote from Ron Karenga,
scholar, co-organizer of the Million Man March, and Kwanzaa founder.
“Something is our fate when we blindly stumble into it without having any
control. But the future is something we first envision and then go about
creating--if we know what we want and how to get there.” (Abdul-Jabbar, 2007,
p.6). “The Harlem Renaissance contributed to the man I am today—and the
man I hope to be tomorrow. Opening the door to that period of history opened
many subsequent doors to guide me….To use words to create a giant set of
shoulders that any reader could climb aboard.” (Abdul-Jabbar, 2007. p.4)
The “cultural revolution” that unfolded in the Harlem section of New York City
between 1920 and1940 attracted some of the country’s greatest artists,
musicians, writers, actors and athletes. Harlem provided the roots. The
interconnectedness between literature, Jazz and basketball, “the intensity and
playfulness of the music” and “the camaraderie and sense of communal purpose
I get from working with dedicated teammates toward a common goal” (p.4)
blended to provide the sturdy foundation on which Mr. Abdul-Jabbar built his
first career.
Consider your own foundations. On whose shoulders do you stand and how
will your shoulders in turn provide a foundation for others?
Your essay submission should contain between 500 to 700 words, include
documentation and MLA style citations. You may find meaningful information
about the film at http://www.kareemabduljabbar.com/studyguide/
Deadline for submission is March 1, 2011. Each school will evaluate and select
a first, second and third place entry. Only essays scoring a 5 using the New
York State Regents Thematic Evaluation rubric should be submitted.
Each essay must contain the attached cover sheet. Winners will be announced
in May. First, second and third place prizes will be awarded.
The MISSION of the Association of Teachers of Social Studies/United Federation of Teachers is to provide a network
wherein Social Studies educators and related professionals may advocate for Social Studies education and share
scholarship, information, strategies and practices related to the issues important to Social Studies instruction.
UFT Professional Committees
52 Broadway, New York, NY 10004 p: 212.598.7772
http://www.uft.org/member/committees/
Officers: Michael Mulgrew President, Michael Mendel Secretary, Mel Aaronson Treasurer,
Robert Astrowsky Assistant Secretary, Mona Romain Assistant Treasurer
Vice Presidents: Karen Alford, Carmen Alvarez, Leo Casey, Richard Farkas, Aminda Gentile, Sterling Roberson Opieu 153

ON THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTS ESSAY CONTEST
SPONSORED BY THE ASSOCIATION OF TEACHERS OF SOCIAL STUDIES/
UNITED FEDERATION OF TEACHERS
ESSAY COVER SHEET
Contestant’s Name ______________________________________________________Age _________________
Name of School _____________________________________________________________________________
School Address _____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
US History & Government teacher ______________________________________________________________
Home Address ______________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
Telephone number __________________________________ Email __________________________________
I hereby give permission for my name and image to be used and for my essay to be duplicated and distributed in
ATSS/UFT publications.
Signature of Student _______________________________________________Date _____________________
I hereby give permission for my child’s photograph to be taken and shared and essay to be printed in related
ATSS/UFT publications. (for children under 18 years of age)
Signature of Parent ________________________________________________ Date _____________________
Printed name of parent _______________________________________________________________________
Please retain a copy of the essay for your own records. No submissions will be returned.
Mail all selected essays with this cover sheet attached attention no later than March 1, 2011 to
Rozella Kirchgaessner, President ATSS/UFT
UFT Professional Committees 12 th Floor
52 Broadway, New York, NY 10004 ( 212) 598-7772 / (917) 355-4451
Or email to atssuftnyc@gmail.com
For school personnel: This essay has been selected as our school’s (1 st ) (2 nd ) (3 rd ) place submission (circle one)

NYSED Generic Scoring Rubric - Appendix A
Appendix A: Revised Thematic Essay Generic Scoring Rubric (February 2004)
Score of 5:
• Thoroughly develops all aspects of the task evenly and in depth
• Is more analytical than descriptive (analyzes, evaluates, and/or creates* information)
• Richly supports the theme with many relevant facts, examples, and details
• Demonstrates a logical and clear plan of organization; includes an introduction and a conclusion that are beyond a
restatement of the theme
Score of 4:
• Develops all aspects of the task but may do so somewhat unevenly
• Is both descriptive and analytical (applies, analyzes, evaluates, and/or creates information)
• Supports the theme with relevant facts, examples, and details
• Demonstrates a logical and clear plan of organization; includes an introduction and a conclusion that are beyond a
restatement of the theme
Score of 3:
• Develops all aspects of the task with little depth or develops most aspects of the task in some depth
• Is more descriptive than analytical (applies, may analyze, and/or evaluate information)
• Includes some relevant facts, examples, and details; may include some minor inaccuracies
• Demonstrates a satisfactory plan of organization; includes an introduction and a conclusion that may be a restatement of the
theme
Score of 2:
• Minimally develops all aspects of the task or develops some aspects of the task in some depth
• Is primarily descriptive; may include faulty, weak, or isolated application or analysis
• Includes few relevant facts, examples, and details; may include some inaccuracies
• Demonstrates a general plan of organization; may lack focus; may contain digressions; may not clearly identify which aspect
of the task is being addressed; may lack an introduction and/or a conclusion
Score of 1:
• Minimally develops some aspects of the task
• Is descriptive; may lack understanding, application, or analysis
• Includes few relevant facts, examples, or details; may include inaccuracies
• May demonstrate a weakness in organization; may lack focus; may contain digressions; may not clearly identify which aspect
of the task is being addressed; may lack an introduction and/or a conclusion
Score of 0:
• Fails to develop the task or may only refer to the theme in a general way; OR includes no relevant facts, examples, or details;
OR includes only the theme, task, or suggestions as copied from the test booklet; OR is illegible; OR is a blank paper
* The term create as used by Anderson/Krathwohl, et al. in their 2001 revision of Bloom’s Taxonomy of Educational Objectives refers
to the highest level of the cognitive domain. This usage of create is similar to Bloom’s use of the term synthesis. Creating implies an
insightful reorganization of information into a new pattern or whole. While a level 5 paper will contain analysis and/or evaluation of
information, a very strong paper may also include examples of creating information as defined by Anderson and Krathwohl.
http://www.p12.nysed.gov/osa/ss/hs/rgsr-a.html

WHAT GAVE HARLEM A RENAISSANCE?
Between 1920 and 1940 a unique combination of artists, entertainers, and pleasure seekers gathered in
the upper portion of Manhattan in New York City. The creative combination of literature, Jazz, hope and success
brought a synergy to these streets that spilled over into the rest of New York. New York was not the only northern
city to become a magnet for the great African American migrations, but the Harlem experience became the
standard by which other events were measured. There were two stories, told through the public and the private
lives of those who lived and played there. It was out of this fabric that the Harlem Rens emerged to shatter the
bonds of racism and carve out their niche in history.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar captures this synergy in the pages of the book that describes his “Journey Through the
Harlem Renaissance”.
The following quotes help to describe the gift Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has given all students of history.
Sports has a special effect on American life because it often brings us together and enables us to know each
other. What I’m doing now is a great opportunity for people to find out what more of what I am about and what I
am interested in. My film, On the Shoulders of Giants –the story of the greatest team you never heard of …is a
statement about my community and the things that I find special in my life.
– Kareem Abdul-Jabbar NBA’s All-Time Leading Scorer & NY Times Best- Selling Author
“On the Shoulders of Giants (is) one of the most inspirational, entertaining and enlightening sports
documentaries I’ve ever seen.”
– Richard Roeper, Film Critic Chicago Sun Times
The brilliance of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was never limited to his on-court accomplishments, and On the Shoulders
of Giants is another shining example of this. Kareem captures the essence, energy, creativity and spirit of
the Harlem Renaissance and the influential athletes who defined that era."
– NBA Commissioner David Stern
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s film, On the Shoulders of Giants, has done a magnificent job in presenting the history of
professional basketball prior to the inception of the NBA. And I believe every current and potential basketball
player in the country should see it as well as people that are curious as to how sports evolved. .
– Jerry Reinsdorf Chairman, Chicago Bulls
Animation is a team sport and we collaborated with artists all over the United States to help bring On the
Shoulders of Giants to life. It was a real pleasure working with the film’s director & producer, Deborah Morales.
–Sean Henry, Executive Animation Producer, Calabash Animation
“On the Shoulders of Giants was the best history lesson I ever had.”
–Joakim Noah Chicago Bulls NBA Player

Kareem Abdul Jabbar helps us through sports to find our humanity through the struggles and celebration of a
group of players and people looking for value and identity. They realize through the experience and journey that
they had it all the time demonstrated by their talent, skills, and determination. The message to us all is that it is
not how other people define us but it is how we define ourselves. Great job!
–Stedman Graham, NY Times Best-Selling Author, Businessman, Speaker
"Deborah and Kareem are to be so congratulated/thanked,. by people like me who lived through many of those
years, and by our children, grandchildren, and all future generations everywhere. The previously untold story
itself, the honesty of the way you told it, the basketball, the music, the art – and the meaning of it all –– make it a
priceless treasure.”
– Glennette Tilley Notable, Author and Historian of African American History
On the Shoulders of Giants is a gift of inspiration, information and validation for the young and old. The skillful
integration of history, sports and music as well as the riveting graphics that the varied perspectives offered,
successfully captivated our young learners and helped them to understand that we all stand "on the shoulders of
giants.”
– Sheryl Jones, Director, Detroit Public Schools, Office of History, Society and Culture
“With the same passion and grace that he played with, Kareem takes us into his heart and soul in On the
Shoulders of Giants. His history of Harlem and his family, and all their gifts to him and society is quite profound.
By to Harlem’s past, Kareem is preparing us for its present and future. What other taking this personal revealing
journey superstar athlete could write a book like this?”
--Billy Crystal
“During the Harlem Renaissance of the ‘30’s the African-American community responded to relentless
oppression, segregation and disenfranchisement by exploding with an outburst of artistic and political
achievement that has never been duplicated in American history. Perhaps Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s vivid and
moving rendering of that time in On the Shoulders of Giants can inspire the next generation to connect to that rich
artistic history and thereby overcome the “get rich or die tyin” mentality to once again ascend to heights of
accomplishment which truly manifests their capabilities.”
--Herbie Hancock
“Because of his public display of physical and personal grace, I welcome Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s book On the
Shoulders of Giants.”
--Maya Angelou
“As I watch younger generations idolize sports and entertainment figures today, my greatest hope is that they will
be sufficiently attracted to Kareem’s iconic and legendary status to pick up On the Shoulders of Giants. It will help
teach them who they are, how they arrived there and help them to take their own places in history.”
--James Briggs Murray, Curator, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture
“Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has created his next sky hook with this newest literary effort. He has skillfully interwoven
his two biggest passions—basketball and jazz—and provides a greater understanding of how closely related they
are.”
-- Spike Lee
“Besides being a great athlete, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is one of the most intelligent individuals I have ever met.
The passion he has for his heritage is something that all African Americans should be inspired by.”
-- Jim Hill, CBS Sportscaster

THE ASSOCIATION OF TEACHERS OF SOCIAL STUDIES/UNITED FEDERATON OF TEACHERS,
IN COOPERATION WITH THE SKYHOOK FOUNDATION AND
THE SCHOMBURG CENTER FOR RESEARCH IN BLACK CULTURE
INVITE YOU TO JOIN US
VIA LIVE VIDEO STREAM
ON WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2011
9 – 11AM
DETAILS ON HOW TO ACCESS THE LIVE STREAM EVENT WILL BE LISTED IN THE PRINCIPAL’S WEEKLY
http://kareemabduljabbar.com/NYC
UNITED STATES HISTORY AND GEOGRAPHY STUDENTS ARE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN A
CITY-WIDE ESSAY CONTEST
BASED ON THE THEME OF THE FILM, “ON THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTS”