During World War I, African Americans were drafted into the segregated U.S. Army. As racial violence, including lynching of African Americans, was increasing, African Americans were called to fight a war for democracy. One African American who served, Horace Pippin, recorded his memories of the war in paintings and sketches. In this secondary level lesson, students will be introduced to an African American's perspective on World War I by analyzing paintings by Horace Pippin. Students will demonstrate their understanding of the African Americans soldiers" experience in World War I by writing a fictitious, though factual, interview with a soldier and/or Horace Pippin.

Objectives

Students will be able to: 1. work cooperatively in teams 2. retrieve and state prior knowledge of World War I 3. analyze a painting or sketch based on its images, colors, shapes and patterns 4. analyze a painting for its content about World War I 5. synthesize information gained from paintings and readings to demonstrate their understanding of African American soldiers" experiences in World War I

Standards Alignment

• Arts and Humanities
  
  9.2.12. A. Explain the historical, cultural, and social context of an individual work in the arts.
  9.2.12. E. Analyze how historical events and culture impact forms, techniques, and purposes of works in the arts.
  9.2.12. H. Identify, explain, and analyze the work of Pennsylvania Artists in visual arts.
  9.2.12. L. Identify, explain, and analyze common themes, forms, and techniques from works in the arts.
  
  
• History
  
  8.1.12. B. Synthesize and evaluate historical sources.
  8.1.12. C. Evaluate historical interpretation of events.
  8.1.12. D. Synthesize historical research.
  8.2.12. A. Evaluate the political and cultural contributions of individuals and groups to Pennsylvania history from 1890 to Present.
  8.2.12. B. Identify and evaluate primary documents, material artifacts, and historic sites important in Pennsylvania history from 1890 to Present.
  8.3.12. A. Identify and evaluate the political and cultural contributions of individuals and groups to United States history from 1890 to Present.
  8.3.12. B. Identify and evaluate primary documents, material artifacts, and historic sites important to U.S. history from 1890 – Present.
  
  
• Reading, Writing, Speaking, and Listening
  
  1.2.11. A. Read and understand essential content of informational texts and documents in all academic areas.
  1.4.11. B. Write complex informational pieces.
  1.5.11. A. Write with a sharp, distinct focus.
  1.5.11. B. Write using well-developed content appropriate for the topic.
  1.5.11. C. Write with controlled and/or subtle organization.
  1.5.11. D. Write with a command of the stylistic aspects of composition
  1.5.11. F. Edit writing using the conventions of language.
  1.6.11. A. Listen to others.
  1.6.11. E. Participate in small and large group discussions and presentations.