Background knowledge What do you see?

Background knowledge What do you think?

Background knowledge What do you wonder?

Background knowledge The previous photographs showed us places that were real back when historical figures like Jackie Robinson were alive. In this section of study, you will learn about segregation, liberty, and what Jackie Robinson contributed to the civil rights movement. Our purpose for reading about Jackie Robinson is to learn about his connection to Georgia and to civil rights.

From baseball to history Jackie robinson

Jackie Robinson was born January 31, 1919 in Cairo Georgia. He was the youngest of 5 children to a single mother. Jackie as a child

Jackie Robinson as the youngest of five children with Mother He was a good student. He played football, basketball, baseball, and track! He had great incentive to be good at track. His older brother Matthew had won a silver medal in 1936, right behind Jesse Owens, the first African American to win an Olympic medal. Jackie Robinson as the youngest of five children with Mother

How do you think that would make you feel? Jackie grew up during segregation – forcing people of different races to live separately. He could not go to school with white children. He could not sit in restaurants with white people. He could not go to movies with white people. How do you think that would make you feel?

Jackie robinson grows up Jackie went to UCLA and lettered in all 4 sports That means he played really, really well and received awards for it In 1941, he had to drop out because college cost a lot of money.

Jackie’s first taste of civil rights and disobedience Jackie served in the U.S. Army from 1942 – 1944 after America entered World War II. He was a 2nd Lieutenant but he didn’t have to go into battle. During 1944 at Fort Hood, Texas, Jackie was arrested and court-martialed after refusing to give up his seat on a segregated bus. Robinson’s good reputation, the NAACP, and several black newspapers came to his defense. He was acquitted of the charges and received his honorable discharge from the Army. Jackie’s first taste of civil rights and disobedience

Jackie’s own family Jackie married his wife Rachel and they had 3 children.

Jackie Plays baseball professionally Negro leagues Jackie first played in the Negro Leagues. “Negro” was the term used to refer to African Americans at that time. It was the accepted term used by many people. Another term considered to be acceptable was “Colored People” Jackie Plays baseball professionally

Baseball changes In 1947 Jackie was finally asked to play for the all-white Dodgers ball club. He faced being called names, having things thrown at him, being spit upon, and being threatened. He didn’t give up or give in! He stuck it out…and kept playing. He played hard and he played well. He won a great award his first year out. He won the award Rookie of the Year! A great white player Pee Wee Reese (fabulous nick name, don’t you think?) became a great friend and set the example that white players and African American players could play together.

He was the president of a coffee company and restaurant. After he retired, Jackie became a business man and civil rights leader. Civil rights – the rights that all people should have. Integrated  The opposite of segregated; races not separated. He was the president of a coffee company and restaurant. He promoted African American businesses and the YMCA of New York City’s Harlem. He led 10,000 students in a Youth March for Integrated Schools in Washington, D.C. He served as a special assistant for civil rights to the governor of New York After baseball

Actions speak louder than words Jackie “spoke” for civil rights by working as a baseball player and a businessman back when most African Americans were not allowed, or encouraged, to do so. Jackie believed in all people’s rights to liberty. Liberty means freedom to live your life as you choose. His greatest contribution was his work in civil rights.

Later in life Since he was the first African American to play in the National league, it is only fitting that he was the first African American in the Baseball Hall of Fame. He was admitted in 1962. He died in 1972 at the age of 53 from heart problems and diabetic issues.

Standards SS2H1a,b SS2G2a,b,c,d,e SS2CG3 CCSS.ELA.RI.2.3

Mrs. Alecia Dressel 2nd Grade M. E. Freeman Elementary Warrenton, GA Resources: History 101. www.negroleaguebaseball.com/history101. Retrieved Jan 7, 2016. Marsh, Carolyn. 2011. 2nd Grade Social Studies: Georgia, My State. 3rd Edition. Gallopade, International: Peachtree City, Georgia. Jackie Robinson. (2014). The Biography.com website. Retrieved 10:19, Nov 10, 2014, from http://www.biography.com/people/jackie-robinson-9460813. Negro League Baseball Museum – www.nlbm.com/s/history. Retrieved Jan 7, 2016. Publicly held images available online are not my own and I do not claim to own them in any way. These are being used for educational purposes only and are not to be sold or used for profit. Mrs. Alecia Dressel 2nd Grade M. E. Freeman Elementary Warrenton, GA