In recognition of Black History Month, the 8th grade Explorer English students have read about and researched Negro League Baseball and its incredible players. The unit was supported by Mr. Labate’s Social Studies class on the U.S. Constitution where cases influencing, if not legalizing, segregation were discussed as Constitutional Law. The lesson was carried over into English as Ms. Pringle reinforced the impact of Plessy v. Ferguson on society, which resulted in the creation of Rube Foster’s Negro National League.

Students learned some surprising and clarifying facts. For example, while Jackie Robinson is recognized as the first African-America to break the color barrier and play major league baseball, he is not the first to play in the major leagues. Do you know who was? Do you know when? NLB is credited as being the first to use shin guards and helmets. Do you know why? Rube Foster, the Father of the Negro Leagues, invented the “bunt and run” play. NLB is also the first to have played night games. Do you know who is considered to be the fastest runner in the history of baseball?

The unit ended with the technological support of Mr. Adams who guided students through the process of creating pamphlet-sized baseball cards of players from the Negro Leagues based on their own research. This unit serves to help students analyze and interpret text; explain connections about information across texts; informational reading; making connections between informational/historical reading and current trends in society;  making connections across the content areas, and the use of technology.

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