Celebrating a Hometown Hero: A'ja Wilson
To commemorate the January honoree of the South Carolina African American History Calendar, this lesson highlights and celebrates the accomplishments of the Hometown Hero A'ja Wilson.
Essential Question
1. Why is A'ja Wilson considered a Hometown Hero?
2. What are some of A'ja Wilson's accomplishments, recognitions, and contributions?
3. What skills are necessary for a person to be successful in the game of basketball?
Grade(s):
- 3
- 4
- 5
Subject(s):
Recommended Technology:
Chromebooks, IPADS
Other Instructional Materials or Notes:
Plain paper, pencils, markers, colored pencils or crayons, ruler
Lesson Progression
Introduction:
- Show students a photograph of A'ja Wilson. See if any of the students can identify who she is and what she is best known for.
- Afterwards, share RAN chart with the class. (It might be helpful to project this for all to see or draw one on chart paper).
- Inform students that they will be using a RAN chart as a way to collect information and organize their thinking as well as new learning throughout their study of A'ja Wilson.
- A RAN chart has the following categories: (take time to explain what each means)
- What we "think" we know: (Sometimes what we "think" we know is really a misconception and that's okay!)
- Yes! I was right! (The information I thought I knew was correct/)
- New Learning (Things I have learned)
- Wonderings (Questions I had or still have)
- A RAN chart has the following categories: (take time to explain what each means)
Lesson Progression:
- Give each student a sticky note. Students write their name on the sticky note as well as one thing they think they know about A'ja Wilson. (Students can write more than one fact/use more than one sticky note).
- Students place their sticky notes in the What we "think" we know section. The teacher will help students group responses that are the same/similar.
- Ask students to think about things they wonder about A'ja Wilson. Students use sticky notes to record questions they have and would like to try to find the answer to during their research. These sticky notes are placed in the "Wonderings" section.
- Tell students they will use their creativity, information from RAN chart, and resources provided to create a one pager celebrating A'ja Wilson. (A one pager is a way to share new learning, big ideas, themes, symbols, and connections that have been made with texts).
- Share examples of one pagers to give students an idea of how to complete their project.
- Also take time to review one pager checklist so students have a better understanding of what they are expected to do and they can also ask questions about anything they are unclear or unsure about.
- Next share resources with students (i.e. websites, news articles, photographs, books, etc.) Allow ample time (more than one class period) for students to explore these resources. If students find evidence that either proves or disproves their What we "think" we know response, they can move them to the "YES" section. Encourage students to also look for answers to their "Wonderings" and continue to record new information in the "New Learning" section.
- Students will create a one pager as a way to showcase all they have learned about A'ja Wilson. Students use the One pager checklist and resources provided to complete their one pagers.
Conclusion:
- Refer back to RAN chart. Allow time for students to share their new learning along with any questions they still have.
- Remind students that one pagers are just one way to showcase or summarize their learning in a way that makes it interesting and easier to remember.
- Once one pagers are complete, students will share them with the class.
Teacher Notes
Allow at least one to two class periods for students to conduct research and brainstorm the layout of their one pager. Students may also choose to complete the one pager digitally instead of illustrating it on paper.
RAN Chart-A'ja Wilson
RAN chart will be used to help students organize their thinking and research.
View ResourceSouth Carolina African American History Calendar 2024
Link to the 2024 SC African American History Calendar
View ResourceMidlands Native, WNBA star A'ja Wilson honored
A'ja Wilson is honored in her hometown of Columbia, South Carolina.
View ResourceA'ja Wilson talks team championship with Good Morning America
A'ja Wilson discusses her team's championship win on Good Morning America.
View ResourceStandards
- ELA.OE.2 Acquire, refine, and share knowledge through a variety of multimedia literacies to include written, oral, visual, digital, and interactive texts.
- ELA.AOR.7 Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases.
- ELA.AOR.10 Evaluate and critique multimedia presentations of a text or subject, including their impact on an audience.
- ELA.R.1 Use critical thinking skills to investigate, evaluate, and synthesize a variety of sources to obtain and refine knowledge.
- ELA.C.2 Write informative/expository texts to analyze and explain complex ideas and information.
- ELA.4.OE.2 Acquire, refine, and share knowledge through a variety of multimedia literacies to include written, oral, visual, digital, and interactive texts.
- ELA.AOR.7 Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases.
- ELA.AOR.10 Evaluate and critique multimedia presentations of a text or subject, including their impact on an audience.
- ELA.R.1 Use critical thinking skills to investigate, evaluate, and synthesize a variety of sources to obtain and refine knowledge.
- ELA.C.2 Write informative/expository texts to analyze and explain complex ideas and information.
- ELA.AOR.7 Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases.
- ELA.AOR.10 Evaluate and critique multimedia presentations of a text or subject, including their impact on an audience.
- ELA.R.1 Use critical thinking skills to investigate, evaluate, and synthesize a variety of sources to obtain and refine knowledge.
- ELA.C.2 Write informative/expository texts to analyze and explain complex ideas and information.
Assessments
Students will share their completed one pager spotlighting A'ja Wilson's life, accomplishments, and contributions with the class.
