Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly is the biographical text that follows the lives of Human Computers such as Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson, three mathematicians (known as "human computers") who overcame discrimination, as women and as African Americans, while working at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) during the Space Race, as well as Christine Darden, who was the first African-American woman to be promoted into the Senior Executive Service for her work in researching supersonic flight and sonic booms. It was the basis of a film by the same name which was nominated for three Oscars.
The set up of this book is to allow the reader to understand one of the most important parts of history that were seldom discussed due to the fact that the main roles were about African American women being the ones to do the unthinkable at a time period like the one in the book. Shetterly brings to light, every single detail and encounter of what happened during the Space Race and why these women were so important to American History. The book takes into account the fact that nonfiction books, that are also historical fiction, should always be accurate and accountable. Hidden Figures really showed the accuracy by taking the stories from the actual people who lived this triumph and turning it into a true story for the world to read about.
1.) Have the class split into groups. Each group will choose one main character from the book to do research on. Each person in the group will research a different aspect of the character's life (birth, childhood, adulthood, career, etc.). The entire group will put together a presentation of their choosing (iMovie, powerpoint, Google doc slides, etc.) and present it to the class.
2.) Another activity could be to read the book and then watch the movie. Allow the student to have a class discussion together about how they felt about the book, how they felt about the movie and if the movie was a good representation of the book or not.
Goals:
The set up of this book is to allow the reader to understand one of the most important parts of history that were seldom discussed due to the fact that the main roles were about African American women being the ones to do the unthinkable at a time period like the one in the book. Shetterly brings to light, every single detail and encounter of what happened during the Space Race and why these women were so important to American History. The book takes into account the fact that nonfiction books, that are also historical fiction, should always be accurate and accountable. Hidden Figures really showed the accuracy by taking the stories from the actual people who lived this triumph and turning it into a true story for the world to read about.
Classroom Activities:
1.) Have the class split into groups. Each group will choose one main character from the book to do research on. Each person in the group will research a different aspect of the character's life (birth, childhood, adulthood, career, etc.). The entire group will put together a presentation of their choosing (iMovie, powerpoint, Google doc slides, etc.) and present it to the class.
2.) Another activity could be to read the book and then watch the movie. Allow the student to have a class discussion together about how they felt about the book, how they felt about the movie and if the movie was a good representation of the book or not.
Goals:
- Both activities allow students to work together as a group and to learn to communicate with peers.
- Both activities will help students understand how to enhance their public speaking abilities as well as how to listen to others and have a professional discussion.
Bibliography:
Shetterly, M. L. (2017). Hidden figures: the American Dream and the untold story of the black women mathematicians who helped win the space race. New York, NY: William Morrow, an imprint of HarperCollins .
I have some great activity connections for Hidden Figures book.
ReplyDeleteActivity 1. Intermediate level activity
1. Write a tweet to Mary, Katherine, and Dorothy. Ask text-based questions. Make sure your hashtag summarizes your questions.
@KatherineJSpace
@DorothyNASAVaughan
@AeroMaryJackson
2. Students will create a project on what does it mean to be hidden figure.
Students will follow the following guidelines.
I will create a project to show what it means to be a hidden figure.
I will listen and look for information from a variety of sources that tells me more about a historical event or person.
I will discuss how race, gender and technology affected people in the text.