Teaching First Graders about Barrier Breakers (VA SOL 1.5)

Are you ready to teach first graders about Virginians who were barrier breakers like John Mercer Langston, Barbara Johns, Arthur Ashe, Maggie L. Walker, L. Douglas Wilder, and Booker T. Washington? These African Americans broke barriers in Virginia, paving the way for future generations.

Barbara Johns is featured in the Virginia Civil Rights Memorial in Richmond, VA

1. John Mercer Langston and L. Douglas Wilder

I find it helpful to group historic figures together by common characteristics when teaching. This creates an opportunity for students to form connections and practice comparing and contrasting, a higher level thinking skill. John Mercer Langston and L. Douglas Wilder were both Virginia politicians. In this resource, students can learn about both politicians and then compare how they were alike and different.

Who was John Mercer Langston?

John Mercer Langston was the first African American from Virginia to serve in in the United States Congress.

Who is L. Douglas Wilder?

L. Douglas Wilder was the first African American governor from Virginia.

2. Maggie L. Walker and Arthur Ashe, Jr.

These two historical figures were both from Richmond, Virginia. They were the original "barrier breakers" in the first grade SOLs before the 2023 update. I created a 24-slide PowerPoint lesson that teaches about Maggie and Arthur's childhoods, achievements, and legacies. The resource also includes compare and contrast activities to help students make connections.

Who was Maggie L. Walker?

Maggie L. Walker was the first woman to found and serve as president of a bank in the United States.

Who was Arthur Ashe, Jr.?

Arthur Ashe, Jr. was the first African American to win the U.S. Open, a major tennis match. He was also a Civil Rights activist.

3. Barbara Johns and Booker T. Washington

Barbara Johns and Booker T. Washington were both educators who made a big impact in their communities. Barbara Johns is known for her high school activism, and she later became a school librarian. Booker T. Washington, born a slave, grew up to be a teacher and leader of a school for African Americans. Both Barbara and Booker helped break barriers for African Americans.

Who was Barbara Johns?

Barbara Johns led a protest in her high school against segregation in public schools. The protest turned into a court case, which was combined with other cases to become the famous Brown v. Board of Education case. The ruling on this case made it illegal to racially segregate children in public schools.

Who was Booker T. Washington?

Booker T. Washington was born a slave but gained his freedom in 1865, at the end of the Civil War. He went to school and became a teacher. Later, he was asked to lead a school for African Americans called the Tuskegee Institute. Booker encouraged African Americans to learn trades and get farming skills so they could advance their position in life.

Have you ever taught first graders about these historic figures? Is there a resource you'd like me to make? Please share your thoughts below!