Under The Same Sun by Sharon Robinson

Summary: Author Sharon Robinson, daughter of the one and only Jackie Robinson, shares her story of living in Tanzania. After receiving a visit from her grandmother Bibi and Auntie Sharon, who live in America, the grandkids learn about their ancestors. The children learn about how many before them traveled to America by slave ships. Robinson shares about the joys and pains of having their family split between two different parts of the world. She also gives a piece of African-American history a modern perspective.

5th Grade Unit Overview: Students will learn about African slave trade and how it impacted both Americans and Africans. Students will see slavery from different perspectives and understand the concepts of fairness and equality.

After reading the story, hold a class lesson about slavery and the triangular trade route. Discuss with students about the trading system, the different goods that were sold with the slaves, and the horrid journey slaves had to endure. Split the students into small groups in order for them to do some more research on their own. Have one group of students draw out their own triangular trade route, sharing the journey of the slaves, as well as the goods within the trade. Have one group of students research and create a timeline of slavery sharing significant dates and images, beginning in 1502 and ending in 1865. Have another group research and share information about plantation owners and their families, sharing the other side of the story. (Teacher may add more groups or double up on groups researching the same information depending on the size of the class.) Have each of the groups share and present their information to the class using different presentational means. Students should then reflect on what they have learned by writing 2 diary entries. One from the perspective of a young child in slavery and the other as a member of a family that owns a plantation. The teacher will wrap up the unit with a class discussion about the information learned and how important it is to respect and treat others fairly.

Essential Questions:

• What was the purpose of slavery?
• What was the colonial life like for a slave?
• How were slaves treated as unequal?
• How is slavery an important part of who America is today?
• Why is it important to treat others fairly and equal?

*This story and the lesson could lead to a lesson about Jackie Robinson and his era due to the fact that he is the father of the author. Discuss how even though there legally is no slavery, Jackie Robinson, and many others were still treated unfairly.*