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Lessons

Most lessons contain downloadable and printable documents, activities, and other resources to aid in classroom instruction. Lesson materials are available in multiple formats and typically contain variations based on learning needs.

From Student to Stateswoman: The Life and Legacy of Barbara Jordan

Barbara C. Jordan is known as one of the most influential women in Texas and U.S. history. She was a political trailblazer who paved the way for many people, including women and people of color. Barbara Jordan possessed skills as a speaker, advocate, and teacher.

Lesson Plan Downloadable/editable versions of this lesson plan. Hook Exercise This printable hook exercise focuses on building background on qualities of good leaders. Students will read the transcription of the eulogy delivered by Dr. Thomas Freeman at Barbara Jordan’s funeral as a hook. Next students will be asked to think about qualities of a great leader. Students will then create a word splash or word collage to communicate what they believe are attributes of a leader. To enhance this hook activity, students can also create their word splashes digitally using an online program or the teacher can use a digital program such as Menti.com to allow the whole class to contribute to one word splash. Following the lesson, revisit your wordsplash to confirm your words, revise, or add additional descriptive words that describe Barbara Jordan specifically. **Suggested printing:** *1 per student* Slideshow Presentation This ready to use classroom presentation contains essential questions, and information on the life and legacy of Barbara Jordan beginning with her early life through her death. The powerpoint will feature two primary source documents with guided questions to promote discussion among scholars (see lecture notes within the slides for specific details) about the impact of Barbara Jordan during her early career as a representative of Texas and her impact at the national level during the Watergate Scandal. Students also have an opportunity to hear Barbara Jordan advocating for women’s rights by viewing a clip of her speech given at the 1977 Women’s Conference. **Suggested printing:** *1 per student as needed for note taking accommodations* Graphic organizers This printable graphic organizer was specifically designed to be used in conjunction with the presentation. Students will use the guided notes to create a timeline of events in the life of Barbara Jordan. Students will also reflect on how each event reflected Jordan’s leadership qualities or impact as a leader. In addition to the note taking sheet, students can also utilize the timeline graphic organizer to place key events and actions during the life of Barbara Jordan in chronological order. **Suggested printing:** *1 per student or group* Then, Now Future: the Fifth Ward This printable primary source document should be used in conjunction with the first “Think-Pair-Share” activity from the slideshow presentation (slide #7) or independently as a student activity to provide context for the role that Houston’s Fifth Ward will play in Barbara Jordan’s political career. Teachers are encouraged to print or provide students with digital copies of the [original document](https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth611512/) This is important as students can read Jordan’s thoughts in her own handwriting, which personalizes the content for the students. **Suggested printing:** *1 per group* Watergate Impeachment Hearing This printable student document should be used in conjunction with the SECOND “Think-Pair-Share” activity from the slideshow presentation (slide #17) activity or independently as a document analysis activity. Students can analyze the excerpts in pairs and compare their analysis before answering the questions. **Suggested printing:** *1 per group* Exit Ticket This printable exit ticket uses the three essential questions from the beginning of the lesson to provide a formative assessment opportunity at the end of the lesson. Students can also revisit the word splash from the "hook" activity to reflect or make revisions. **Suggested printing:** *1 ticket per student (two tickets per page)* Lesson Plan Downloadable/editable versions of this lesson plan. Hook Exercise This printable hook exercise focuses on building background on qualities of good leaders. Students will read the transcription of the eulogy delivered by Dr. Thomas Freeman at Barbara Jordan’s funeral as a hook. As an auditory support, the teacher may also opt to play the recorded eulogy and provide students [the printed transcription to read as they follow along](https://www.c-span.org/video/?c4887620/user-clip-dr-freemans-speech-barbara-jordans-funeral). Next students will be asked to think about qualities of a great leader. Students will then create a word splash or word collage to communicate what they believe are attributes of a leader. Teachers can provide students with a scaffold for the word splash by writing the word “Leader” in the middle in the center of a sheet of paper or on a white board with three to five arrows stemming from the word. Students can then add words that describe a leader around the central word. To debrief the activity, the teacher can project the sentence stem: ***A good leader is described with the words such as ...*** Give students 3-5 minutes to select one or two words to share with a partner or with the class. Following the lesson, revisit your wordsplash to confirm your words, revise, or add additional descriptive words that describe Barbara Jordan specifically. **Suggested printing:** *1 per student* Slideshow Presentation This ready to use, classroom presentation contains essential questions, information on the life and legacy of Barbara Jordan beginning with her early life through her death. As an accommodated version, this slideshow highlights key words and places the dates in bold for students to generate chronological understanding of the life of Barbara Jordan. The slideshow will feature two primary source documents with guided questions to promote discussion among scholars (see lecture notes within the slides for specific details) about the impact of Barbara Jordan during her early career as a representative of Texas and her impact at the national level during the Watergate Scandal. Students also have an opportunity to hear Barbara Jordan advocating for women’s rights by viewing a clip of her speech given at the 1977 Women’s Conference. *Suggested printing: 1 per student as needed for note taking accommodations* Graphic organizers This printable graphic organizer was specifically designed to be used in conjunction with the presentation. Students will use the graphic organizer to create a timeline of events in the life of Barbara Jordan. Students will also reflect on how each event reflected Jordan’s leadership qualities or impact as a leader. In addition to the note taking sheet, students in need of additional support can also utilize the timeline graphic organizer to place key events and actions during the life of Barbara Jordan in chronological order. **Suggested printing:** *1 per student or group* Timeline Graphic Students use this graphic timeline to outline key points in the life of Barbara Jordan. Then, Now Future: the Fifth Ward This printable primary source document may be used in conjunction with the FIRST “Think-Pair-Share” activity from the slideshow presentation (slide #7) or independently as a student activity to provide context for the role that Houston’s Fifth Ward will play in Barbara Jordan’s political career. Teachers are encouraged to print or provide students with digital copies of the [original document](https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth611512/) This is important as students can read Jordan’s thoughts in her own handwriting, which personalizes the content for the students. **Suggested printing:** *1 per group* Watergate Impeachment Hearing This printable student document should be used in conjunction with the SECOND “Think-Pair-Share” activity from the slideshow presentation (slide #17) activity or independently as a document analysis activity. Students can analyze the excerpts in pairs and compare their analysis before answering the questions. **Suggested printing:** *1 per group* Exit Ticket This printable exit ticket uses the three essential questions from the beginning of the lesson to provide a formative assessment opportunity at the end of the lesson. Students can also revisit the word splash from the "hook" activity to reflect or make revisions. **Suggested printing:** *1 ticket per student (two tickets per page)*
Unit Plan # 1 90 min none 717A 717B 720A 720B

Barbara Jordan Extension Lesson

Barbara Jordan was a known advocate for women’s rights during her lifetime. For this extension lesson, students will analyze the text of Jordan’s famous “Jack and Jill” speech in which she addresses the lack of equality between men and women during the 1970s. Students will also create a map showing places that she impacted during her career.

Lesson Plan Downloadable/editable versions of this lesson plan. Mapping Skills Teachers can provide students with time to review their notes and conduct research to identify locations that are key in explaining the life and legacy of Barbara Jordan. Students should select locations that were significant during Jordan’s time as a leader or places where she is currently remembered (schools, exhibits, monuments, etc.). Students should aim to locate a minimum of 8 locations nationwide. For each location, students should also associate an image or symbol and provide a short description of each location. The description must articulate the connection between the location and Barbara Jordan. To make this activity more interactive and technology based, students can also create travel guides or virtual tours using applications such as The Clio, which was created by a historian and allows instructors and their students to add historical sites of interest for those interested in them. Google Pin is also another digital tool that creates specialty maps and tours.
Extension 60 min none 717A 717B 720A 720B 76AELA 76CELA

Maps

We've assembled the following list of maps that are applicable to the Civil Rights Unit.

Texas

Texas

"Map shows Texas highways, major roads, railroads, counties, cities, towns, major lakes and reservoirs, and national parks."

Texas tourism map

Texas tourism map

"A pictorial map showing some of the tourist attractions in the state of Texas. For example, the Alamo and Tower of the Americas are shown for San Antonio and some attractions in the cities of Dallas and Ft. Worth, Houston, and Corpus Christi are also pictured."

Trinity basin master plan

Trinity basin master plan

"Map shows reservoirs and lakes along the Trinity River from Gainesville to Houston Texas."

Occupancy map - business area, Fort Worth, Texas

Occupancy map - business area, Fort Worth, Texas

"Map shows business names and locations, public institutions, streets names, parks, parking lots, block and possibly lot numbers."

Texas

Texas

"Map shows historic roads and trails, counties, major cities and towns, lakes, parks, and forests. Includes legend, text, and tables: of 'Lands and Mineral Estate of Permanent School Fund, and Lands and Mineral Estate of Permanent University Fund.'"

Texas official highway map: Summer edition

Texas official highway map: Summer edition

"Map shows mid-twentieth century Texas state roadways. Includes legend, index, and inset maps of Texas cities and routes between cities."

CBD Topics System Map

CBD Topics System Map

"Map of the Bexar County Central Business District's existing and proposed street system."

Southern Pacific Transportation Company Right of Way and Track Map Dallas

Southern Pacific Transportation Company Right of Way and Track Map Dallas

"Rail corridor right of way and track map in Dallas, Texas. Schedules are included on map."

Videos

We provide videos for both continuing education and classroom use. Please see each video's descriptive page for related resources and details about accessibility and viewing options.

The Legacy of Barbara Jordan
14 min.

The Legacy of Barbara Jordan

Dr. Karen L. Kossie-Chernyshev shares stories highlighting the life and achievements of Barbara Jordan, a trailblazing African American leader from Houston, Texas. Overcoming racial and gender discrimination, Jordan became the first Black woman to serve in the Texas State Senate and later, the first African American woman from the South to be elected to the U.S. Congress. Known for her eloquence, she became a national figure through her speeches on civil rights and the Constitution, most notably during the Watergate hearings and the 1976 Democratic National Convention.

untlbs people ethnic groups african americans keywrd people women none
Road to Civil Rights
43 min.

Road to Civil Rights

ASL + narration version only, covering the lead up to the Civil Rights Movement in Texas. Covers Mexican americans and LULAC, African Americans and the NAACP, and the aftermath of the Brown Decisions.

none none
Civil Rights, Struggles and Victories
62 min.

Civil Rights, Struggles and Victories

ASL + narration version only, covering the the Civil Rights Era in Texas. Covers desegregation in Texas Schools, a crisis at Mansfield High School, the return of the Republican Party, JFK and LBJ, and the Civil Rights and Voting Rights Acts.

none none

More Resources

The following list of resources provide additional information to help you dive deeper into the context of the unit. Books are linked to OCLC WorldCat, allowing you find a copy in your nearest local library or to make a request for it using interlibrary loan.

  • General

  • website Results for The Civil Rights Era in The Portal to Texas History

    Digital copies of primary sources and other documents from our about this time period contributed to The Portal to Texas History by institutional partners from across the State.