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Read Kansas! Middle School - M-33 Notable Kansans: The Rest of the Story

This lesson encourages students to explore the impact of 10 notable Kansans who made significant contributions in the 1930s and 1940s.  The Read Kansas! cards contain primary sources about each Kansan.  After reading the cards students will work cooperatively to research "the rest of the story." Each group will develop a presentation for the class, which answers the question, "Why was this person a notable Kansan?" Select each image to see a PDF with the front and back of each card.

Why is Seven Birger Sandzen a Notable Kansan?
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Why is Amelia Earhart a Notable Kansan?
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Why are Martin and Osa Johnson Notable Kansans?
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Why is Glenn Cunningham a Notable Kansas?
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Why is Walter Chrysler a Notable Kansan?
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Why is Langston Hughes a Notable Kansan?
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Why is John Steuart Curry a Notable Kansan?
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Why is Dwight D. Eisenhower a Notable Kansan?
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Why is Alf Landon a Notable Kansan?
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Why is Arthur Capper a Notable Kansan?
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Lesson Plan

Template for Notable Kansans of the 1930s and 1940s Booklet

Kansas History, Government and Social Studies Standards:

Standard #3: Societies are shaped by beliefs, ideas, and diversity.

  • 3.1: The student will recognize and evaluate significant beliefs, contributions, and ideas of the many diverse peoples and groups and their impact on individuals, communities, states, and nations.

Kansas College and Career Ready Standards:

  • RH.6-8.2:  The student will determine the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source; provide an accurate summary of the source distinct from prior knowledge or opinions.
  • RH.6-8.9: The student will analyze the relationship between a primary and secondary source on the same topic.
  • WHST. 6-8.7: The student will conduct short research projects to answer a question, drawing on several sources and generating additional related, focused questions for further research and investigation.
  • WHST.6-8.8: The student will gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources, using search terms effectively; assess the credibility and accuracy of each source; and quote or paraphrase the data and conclusions of others while avoiding plagiarism and following a standard format for citation.
  • SL.7.1(a-d): The student will engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 7 topics, texts, and issues, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly.
  • SL.7.4:  The student will present claims and findings, emphasizing salient points in a focused, coherent manner with pertinent descriptions, facts, details, and examples; use appropriate eye contact, adequate volume, and clear pronunciation.
  • SL.7.5: The student will include multimedia components and visual displays in presentations to clarify claims and findings and emphasize salient points.