By: Hannah Sparkman 4 th grade

Objective: You will learn about 5 well-known Missourians and their contributions to society. Outcome: You will use the information given to complete an online quiz. You will also pair up with a partner to research 5 other famous people from Missouri and create your own project about those people.

Click on a picture on the wall to learn about that famous Missourian. After learning about all 5 people, take the online quiz to test your knowledge! When you finish the quiz you will find instructions for your own project. Have fun!

Famous author He was born in Florida, Missouri, on November 30, His real name is Samuel Langhorne Clemens. Twain drove a steamboat on the Mississippi River at the age of 22. He is best known for The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. These are based on his childhood and are both set in Missouri. Mark Twain died in April 21, 1910 at age of 84.

Famous author and poet Maya was born Marguerite Johnson on April 4, 1928 in St. Louis, Missouri. She is best known for her work, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (1970). She read at President Clinton’s inauguration and she is the 2 nd poet to have read at an inauguration. Her most famous poems are in And Still I Rise (1987) and Complete Collected Poems of Maya Angelou (1995). Angelou currently teaches at Wake Forest University in North Carolina.

Famous business owner (Wal-Mart) Walton was born in Oklahoma on March 29, 1918 but moved to Chesterfield, Missouri when he was 5 years old. He went to college at the University of Missouri for economics. The first Wal-Mart was opened on July 2, 1962 in Bentonville, Arkansas. He was the richest man in the U.S. for 6 years from Sam Walton died April 5, 1992 in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Famous author Wilder was born on February 7, 1867 in Wisconsin into a pioneer family. She moved more than 7 times in her life, finally settling in Mansfield, Missouri with her husband in She is best known for the Little House book series. Little House in the Big Woods and Little House on the Prairie were based on true events that happened in Laura’s childhood. Wilder passed away on February 10,1957 at the age of 90 in Mansfield, Missouri.

Famous inventor Carver was born on a farm near Diamond, Missouri around His parents were slaves to Moses and Susan Carver. George and his mother were kidnapped when he was a baby but George was found and returned to the Carvers, who raised him from then on. He is famous finding 300 uses for peanuts and hundreds more for sweet potatoes. His inventions from these products include bleach, buttermilk, mayonnaise, and peanut butter! (Yum!) Carver died on January 5, 1943.

Mark Twain is an author from Missouri who is famous for his works based on his childhood memories in Missouri. Maya Angelou is known for her books and poems and was the 2 nd poet asked to speak at a presidential inauguration. Sam Walton started Wal-Mart, one of the most famous businesses in the world, and was at one time the richest man in the United States. Laura Ingalls Wilder wrote the Little House series and spent her married life in Missouri. George Washington Carver was born into a slave family and eventually became a famous inventor who founded hundreds of uses for peanuts and sweet potatoes.

Which statement below is NOT true about Sam Walton? A. He was the richest man in the United States for 6 years. B. He lived in Chesterfield, Missouri. C. He opened the first Wal-Mart in Springfield, Missouri. D. He went to college at the University of Missouri.

Sam Walton opened the first Wal-Mart in Bentonville, Arkansas.

Which Missourians were famous authors? A. Sam Walton & Mark Twain B. Mark Twain, Maya Angelou, & Laura Ingalls Wilder C. George Washington Carver & Maya Angelou D. Maya Angelou, Sam Walton, & Laura Ingalls Wilder

Try Again (Question 2)

Maya Angelou, Mark Twain, and Laura Ingalls Wilder are all Missourians famous for their writings. All three authors based their most famous works off memories from their childhoods.

Which inventions below were discovered by George Washington Carver? A. Buttermilk, whipped cream, and mayonnaise B. Hair spray and buttermilk C. Peanut butter and jelly D. Mayonnaise, buttermilk, and peanut butter.

George Washington Carver found 300 uses for peanuts and hundreds more for sweet potatoes. Buttermilk, mayonnaise, and peanut butter are only a few of his amazing inventions!

You did great on the quiz! Now it’s your turn to create a project about famous people from Missouri! Instructions: You will choose a partner and research 5 other famous Missourians. You and your partner will then create your own PowerPoint about the people you chose and present it to the class. You can use this PowerPoint as an example project but be creative with your project! We will work in class on making the project but start looking up people for your project and think of ideas. Remember, the person needs have spent at least 10 years in Missouri. Good luck and have fun!famous Missourians

1. Identify and describe the significance of the individuals from Missouri who have made contributions to our state and national heritage. (GLE – SS3 1.10, 1.6) 2. Use a variety of media and technology resources for directed and independent learning activities. (NETS – S 1,3) *This project meets diversity requirements by utilizing text larger text and by requiring students to work with partners to create their own project.

Grade and Course-Level Expectations (2011, June 20). In Missouri Department of Elementary & Secondary Education. Retrieved August 1, 2011, from Maya Angelou Biography (n.d.). In Bio.truestory. Retrieved August 1, 2011, from Angelou (n.d.). In Famous Missourians. Retrieved August 1, 2011, from