Internet Field Trip: Jackie Robinson: An American Hero
He endured teammates spitting tobacco juice in his face, fans yelling slurs, and death threats, and played through it all with grace. In 1947, Jackie Robinson became the first African American to break Major League Baseball's color line. As baseball season opens every year, you can't see Robinson steal home or scoop a grounder. But you can get a close-up understanding of Robinson's life and era, his lasting impact, and baseball history, helped by the Web.
Robinson's promotion of equality did not end on the base paths. Your students can see the telegrams and letters Robinson sent to American presidents and discuss the ways he believed an individual can have an impact on government policy. For students to understand the discrimination Robinson and others faced before 1947, they can check out the stories of great athletes like Satchel Paige and Josh Gibson, who played in the Negro Leagues. Women baseball players have faced barriers and had "leagues of their own" too, as your class can find out by learning about the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League of the 1940s and 1950s.
When Robinson helped spark the Dodger Blue to six National League pennants, the team was in Brooklyn. Kids can revisit the Brooklyn Dodgers at a Web clubhouse that evokes a bygone time of 50-cent bleacher seats at Ebbets Field. Then they can explore what has changed and stayed the same in baseball — and the country — by zooming ahead to the ESPNET SportsZone today.
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Black Diamond
The Teacher Store 
Black Diamond
by Patricia C. McKissackFrom Newbery Honor and Coretta Scott King Award-winner McKissack and her son, here is an award-winning tribute to unsung heroes of the Negro Baseball Leagues. "An exceptional narrative of a vivid era in U.S. sports history. Spirited, entertaining and well-researched...an eyeopener." - The Boston Globe.
$5.99
Paperback Book | Grades 3-5
Grades 3-5 $5.99
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Jackie's Nine
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Jackie's Nine
by Sharon RobinsonIn a tribute to baseball legend and civil rights hero Jackie Robinson, his daughter Sharon guides readers through the nine values that helped Jackie Robinson achieve his goals. Ms. Robinson explores these values - courage, determination, commitment, persistence, integrity, teamwork, excellence, citizenship, and justice - through Jackie's own powerful words and the writings of many other heroes and pioneers. Includes photographs from the family archive add to the inspirational message.
$5.99
Paperback Book | Grades 6-9
Grades 6-9 $5.99
LESSON PLAN
