In this activity, students will read a news article about the Dominican Republic and their current experience and role in the major leagues. Students then compare the life of minorities in the Negro Leagues to those playing in the Dominican Republic.
In this example, two differences have been identified and are supported with textual evidence.
Jackie Robinson “received death threats, and someone even threatened to kidnap his little boy. On the field, the fans called him names and threw stuff at him.”
"There are many opportunities for athletes to make it big in the country, thanks in part to the support from American leagues. There are player showcases, many different training academies, and professional leagues."
“We were fortunate men. We got to play baseball for a living, something we would have done even if we hadn’t gotten paid for it.”
"Kids wearing local teams’ uniforms shouted in Spanish as they scrambled up the walls, trying to get a view of the action. Some people climbed over the walls or perched on the top of the dugouts to watch the game."
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Student Instructions
Students will compare the life of minorities from the book to those playing in the Dominican Republic.
Help students visually sort similarities and differences by creating a T-chart or Venn diagram. Graphic organizers make it easier for students to compare key aspects from the Negro Leagues and Dominican Republic baseball cultures.
Show students how to locate quotes and details from the reading to support each comparison. Model how to use direct quotes or paraphrase information, and discuss why evidence makes arguments stronger.
Prompt students to draw or digitally create scenes showing player treatment and love for the game in each context. Visuals help deepen understanding and engage students in storytelling.
Arrange student charts around the classroom and invite classmates to observe, ask questions, and leave feedback. Sharing fosters discussion and reflection on cultural similarities and differences.
Guide your students to read both the news article about the Dominican Republic and excerpts from 'We Are the Ship.' Use a comparison chart with columns for each setting and rows for Player Treatment and Love for the Game. Have students find examples from the text to support their comparisons, then illustrate each cell with relevant scenes or dialogue.
Create a chart with your students labeled 'We Are the Ship' and 'Here, Baseball is Life.' Use rows for Player Treatment and Love for the Game. Students fill in each section with examples and illustrations, helping them see similarities and differences between the two groups of players.
Negro League players like Jackie Robinson faced discrimination, threats, and hostile fans, while players in the Dominican Republic often have strong support, access to training academies, and opportunities to advance in American leagues.
Students draw or select images that represent scenes or characters from both 'We Are the Ship' and the Dominican Republic article. These illustrations should match the examples they've written for Player Treatment and Love for the Game in each chart cell.
Students practice comparing and contrasting, finding textual evidence, and synthesizing information from multiple sources, while also developing visual literacy and collaborative skills if working in groups.