Memorializing A'ja Wilson
In celebration of being chosen as the January honoree for the 2024 South Carolina African American History Calendar, this lesson explores the accomplishments and contributions of A'ja Wilson and how her statue represents the ideas of South Carolina, the University of South Carolina, and the Carolinian Creed.
Collections
Essential Question
- What is the purpose of a statue?
- How are the accomplishments and contributions of A'ja Wilson worth memorializing?
- How does the A'ja Wilson statue represent the ideas of South Carolina, the University of South Carolina, and its Carolinian Creed?
Grade(s):
- 8
- 11
Subject(s):
Recommended Technology:
SMARTBoard, iPads, Chromebook, or computer/ with internet access
Other Instructional Materials or Notes:
Lesson Progression
Introduction
- Begin the lesson by introducing and defining the purpose of a statue.
- Ask students to identify a statue that they are familiar with.
- Encourage students to think about the following questions:
- What or who is it?
- Where is it?
- What seems to be the purpose of the statue?
- With a partner, allow students to share their examples and discuss the following question:
- Why would someone want to build a statue?
- Allow students to share their ideas with the class.
- The teacher may list these reasons on the board or allow students to post them to a digital board (I.e. jam board or padlet).
Unveiling the A'ja Wilson Statue
- Share a photo of the A'ja Wilson Statue with students.
- Ask students to examine the statue closely and silently for one to two minutes.
- Have students complete the "See, Think, Me, We" Graphic Organizer."
- SEE: Describe what you see. What is happening? What is she doing?
- THINK: What thoughts do you have about the statue? What do you like/dislike about it?
- ME:What connections can you make between you and the statue?
- WE: What purpose does the statue serve? How does the statue represent the ideas of South Carolina, and its Carolinian Creed?
- Allow students to share some of their responses with the class. The teacher should summarize individual responses and allow others to add on.
- Identify the person in the statue as A'ja Wilson, showing students her picture. Give them a brief overview of A'ja Wilson (example below) detailing what she does and where she is from.
- "A'ja Wilson is a professional athlete from South Carolina. She was honored with a statue by the University of South Carolina at the Colonial Life Arena. Today, you will determine how the accomplishments and contributions of A'ja Wilson were worth memorializing by completing a historical figure profile analysis."
A'ja Wilson: Historical Figure Profile Analysis
- Students will use the South Carolina African American History Calendar to read and conduct online research on the accomplishments and contributions of A’ja Wilson. Information gathered from their research will be used to complete a historical figure profile analysis:
- Accomplishments: Using brief bullets, students should highlight A’ja Wilson’s accomplishments as a professional basketball player and as an entrepreneur, author, and spokeswoman.
- Representation: Students should draw an original statue in honor of A’ja Wilson’s accomplishments in the larger empty square.
- Symbolism: In the three smaller square boxes, students should draw three symbols that represent A’ja Wilson.
- Quote: Students should choose their favorite quote by A’ja Wilson.
- Historical Importance: Why is A’ja Wilson important in the scope of history? Students should explain why A’ja Wilson is important.
- Six Word Memoir: Students should create a six word memoir that summarizes A’ja Wilson’s historical importance.
- Review the accomplishments and contributions of A'ja Wilson as a class and discuss how her accomplishments and contributions were worth memorializing in the form of a statue.
Memorializing A'ja Wilson
- Play the YouTube video of A'ja Wilson's Statue Ceremony from 7:23-11:02.
- Explain to students that during the time of the announcement and unveiling of the Aja Wilson statue, there was a global movement to remove monuments and memorials of historical figures that represented white supremacy, slavery, discrimination, and exploitation of minorities. In the United States, South Carolina, and on the campus of the University of South Carolina, the focus was to remove the statues and names of those with racist views or those paying homage to Confederate leaders. Today, you will review and reflect on the efforts of South Carolina legislators and University of South Carolina leaders to change an identity that permeates over 150 years after the end of the Civil War.
- Students will determine how A'ja Wilson's statue represents the ideas of South Carolina, the University of South Carolina, and the Carolinian Creed based on the linked sources in the A'ja Wilson Graphic Organizer.
Conclusion
- Allow students to reflect on the following questions:
- To what extent do we need statues, monuments, and memorials to commemorate events, people, and ideas? Explain.
- How is A’ja Wilson’s work towards social justice, diversity, and inclusion supported by the state of South Carolina, the University of South Carolina, and the Carolinian Creed?
- What story does the statue of A'ja Wilson tell us about the ideals, traditions, failures, and successes of our nation, South Carolina, and the community?
- How does the statue of A'ja Wilson connect past, present, and future generations?
"See, Think, Me, We" Graphic Organizer
View ResourceA'ja Wilson: Historical Figure Profile Analysis
View ResourceA'ja Wilson Graphic Organizer
View Resource2024 African American History Calendar
View ResourceA’ja Wilson- Fine Art Studio Rotblatt Amrany
View ResourceDear Black Girls by A’ja Wilson
View ResourceDear Black Women by A’ja Wilson
View ResourceLegislation Status of H 3699 Session 117 (2017-2018)
A'ja Wilson Graphic Organizer SOURCE 1
View ResourceH 5370 Joint Resolution Session 122 (2017-2018)
A'ja Wilson Graphic Organizer SOURCE 2
View ResourceLegislation Status of H 5370 Joint Resolution Session 122 (2017-2018)
A'ja Wilson Graphic Organizer SOURCE 2
View ResourcePresidential Commission on University History
A'ja Wilson Graphic Organizer SOURCE 5 and 6
View ResourceOriginal Charge- Presidential Commission on University History
A'ja Wilson Graphic Organizer SOURCE 5
View ResourceUpdated Charge- Presidential Commission on University History
A'ja Wilson Graphic Organizer SOURCE 5
View ResourceFinal Report- Presidential Commission on University History
A'ja Wilson Graphic Organizer SOURCE 6
View ResourceStandards
- 8.5.CC Analyze the continuities and changes in South Carolina's identity resulting from the civic participation of different individuals and groups of South Carolinians.
- This indicator was developed to encourage inquiry into civic engagement, such as military service, public demonstrations, and political activism, to shape the identity of modern South Carolina. This indicator was also written to encourage inquiry into South Carolinians' use of the court system and legislation to affect South Carolina's post World War II identity.
- 8.5.E Utilize a variety of primary and secondary sources to analyze multiple perspectives on the cultural changes in South Carolina and the U.S.
- USHC.5.CX Contextualize domestic economic development and American national identity within global politics.
- This indicator was designed to support inquiry into the relationship between Cold War and post-9/11 eras on the shaping of the American identity. This indicator also promotes inquiry into the impact of social and economic developments since the Election of 1980 on the American identity.
- USHC.5.CC Evaluate continuities and changes during the Civil Rights Movement and other subsequent movements for equal rights.
- This indicator was developed to promote inquiry into thematic continuities and changes into how marginalized groups sought and won legal rights. Inquiry into the leadership, methods, and outcomes of modern equal rights movements are supported by this indicator.
- ELA.C.2 Write informative/expository texts to analyze and explain complex ideas and information.
- ELA.C.8 Through collaboration, react and respond to information while building upon the ideas of others and respecting diverse perspectives.
- ELA.R.1 Use critical thinking skills to investigate, evaluate, and synthesize a variety of sources to obtain and refine knowledge.
