The Fierce 44:
Black Americans Who Shook Up The World

This Storyboard That activity is part of the lesson plans for Black History K-5


The Fierce 44 - Influential Black Americans


Copy Activity*


Activity Overview

The Fierce 44: Black Americans Who Shook Up The World

This book can either be a whole class read aloud over a few days or a week, or may be assigned as an individual reading assignment. After the text has been read and discussed as a class, students will pick at least one African American from the book and create a 3-5 cell spider map highlighting that person. Teachers may differentiate by having the students research these individuals further, or by creating a map using just the information in the text. Alternatively, teachers may allow the students to choose 3-5 people, and include a brief summary and an image about them in each of the cells (see example).


Example Names From The Text


Copy Activity*


Template and Class Instructions

(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)


Due Date:

Objective: Create a spider map about an African American person who is of interest to them from the book The Fierce 44: Black Americans Who Shook Up the World.

Student Instructions:

  1. Choose a person.
  2. Using school resources, conduct research and learn more about your chosen person, or use the information from the book.
  3. Create a 3-5 cell spider map that highlights what you have learned about that person. Some ideas for information to include: date and place of birth, family and education, and major accomplishments .

3 Cell Spider Map

Copy Activity*



More Storyboard That Activities

Black History K-5



Martin's Big Words

Henry's Freedom Box

Civil Rights Movement Timeline

Freedom on the Menu

Plot Diagram

This Little Light of Mine

Shed a Little Light by James Taylor



Copy Activity*



Image Attributions