...…………………Study Guide………………………..
American Heroes One Concert
Jonathan Sprout
GRAMMY® nominee Jonathan Sprout's AMERICAN HEROES ONE CONCERT includes
carefully researched original songs from his American Heroes CD. Audience
participation is an important part of the concert. Some children will be directly
involved in the program.
 Help to prepare your students for the concert by reviewing appropriate rules of
behavior during assemblies. Please emphasize the importance of being a good
listener.
 Have any of your students been to a concert outside of school? If so, ask them to
share their memories with the class. What was it like? How did the audience
behave?
Your students will better appreciate and enjoy the performance if they have some
familiarity with each of the heroes and their corresponding songs prior to the concert.
In addition to listening to the songs that will be performed, you may use the following
information and activities to help prepare your class for the show.
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Introduce a hero; ask students to share what they know about that person.
Read the corresponding biography and discuss. (Common Core Standards:
RI.1.1, 2.1, 3.1, 4.1, 5.1, 6.1; SL.1.1, 1.2. 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3,4.1, 4.2, 4.3,
5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 6.1, 6.2, 6.3)
Have students identify words in the biography that are representative of that
person’s character. (For example, Martin Luther King is described as peaceful
and compassionate. Words used to describe Abraham Lincoln are patient and
honest.) Discuss character traits that heroes often have in common—
perseverance, courage, integrity, passion, selflessness, optimism, etc. (Common
Core Standards: L.1.5, 2.5, 3.5)
Discuss the “key words” for each hero. (from the biographies and songs)
(Common Core Standards: RI.1.4, 2.4, 3.4, 5.4, 6.3, 6.4)
Listen to the song. (Repeat this step often in the days before the concert!)
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Martin
Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929-1968) believed that love and peaceful protest
could eliminate social injustice. A compassionate clergyman and winner of the Nobel
Peace Prize, he was an outstanding African-American leader at a time when many
blacks were treated as inferior people. His house was bombed and his life and family
was often threatened, but Dr. King persevered as he taught people to protest
peacefully in order to achieve equality and peace.
Key Words:
Peaceful protest ~ a non-violent, public demonstration against something. Martin
Luther King stood up for his beliefs in a peaceful way. He led protests against the
unfair laws and treatment of African-Americans. He was inspired by the teachings
and example of Mahatma Gandhi.
Eliminate ~ to get rid of; remove. Throughout most of his adult life, Martin worked to
eliminate racial segregation – treating people differently because of their race.
Social injustice ~ unfairness among a group of people; when advantages and
disadvantages are not equal for all. The social injustices that Martin fought included
unfair housing and job opportunities for blacks, segregated restrooms and seating on
buses, and practices that kept blacks from having equal voting rights.
Compassionate ~ feeling or showing sympathy or concern for others. Martin Luther
King lived his life as a compassionate man. He fought for the rights of others – AfricanAmericans and the poor – even when it put his own life at risk.
Clergyman ~ a minister or pastor; a spiritual leader of a Christian church. Martin was
a Baptist pastor, first in Alabama and then Georgia. Both his father and grandfather
before him were clergymen.
Nobel Prize ~ an international prize awarded each year in the fields of physics,
chemistry, physiology or medicine, literature, economics, and the promotion of peace.
Martin Luther King was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. He donated the prize
money he received to help further the civil rights movement.
Persevered ~ kept doing something, despite difficulty or delay. Because of his beliefs
and quest for equal rights for African-Americans, Martin Luther King was jailed,
threatened, and ultimately killed. But throughout his life he persevered and never
gave up his fight. He continued to dream that one day people “will not be judged by
the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”
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Sacajawea
Sacajawea (1787?-1812 or 1884) (sometimes spelled “Sacagawea”) met
Lewis & Clark near present-day Bismarck, North Dakota. She has become a legend in
part for the strength and perseverance with which she faced hardships on the difficult
expedition.
After several months of travel, the group was near starvation and in need of
horses to help carry their heavy gear over the Rocky Mountains. It was Sacajawea
who helped arrange the trade for horses with the chief of the Shoshone Indian tribe her brother. They had not seen each other since another Indian tribe kidnapped her
six years earlier.
Key Words:
Lewis & Clark ~ President Thomas Jefferson sent Meriwether Lewis and William Clark
to explore the newly acquired Louisiana Purchase. Their goal was to find a water
route connecting the Mississippi River system with the Pacific Ocean – a “northwest
passage.”
Legend ~ a well-known person, often made famous because of their role in a
historical event. Sacajawea was the only woman with Lewis & Clark, and she was
traveling with her newborn son. She was an interpreter and guide for them, but she
also served as a symbol of peace. The Native Americans they encountered on their
journey were more tolerant of the group because they were traveling with a woman
and child.
Expedition ~ a journey taken by a group of people with a particular purpose.
Sacajawea was an important part of an expedition that lasted over two years and was
more than 8,000 miles long.
Shoshone ~ a Native American tribe. At the time of the Lewis & Clark expedition, the
Shoshone occupied areas both east and west of the Rocky Mountains. Sacajawea’s
brother Cameahwait was their chief.
In vain ~ without success or the desired result. After traveling a great distance, and
still with the hope of a successful journey, the Lewis & Clark expedition reached the
Rocky Mountains. At this point, they thought that all of their efforts so far might have
been in vain. They were not sure they would be able to continue.
Great Divide ~ the Continental Divide, a natural boundary line at the crest of the
Rocky Mountains in the western United States. The Great Divide was one of the
biggest obstacles that Lewis & Clark faced on their journey west.
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Washington’s Hat
George Washington (1732-1799) was commander-in-chief of the Continental
Army during the American Revolution, and later, the first president of the United
States. Known as the “father of his country," he symbolizes qualities of discipline,
honor, loyalty, and love of country.
The song "Washington's Hat" is not a true story. General Washington did,
however, courageously lead his troops across the icy waters of the Delaware River
during a Christmas night snowstorm to win a stunning victory over enemy soldiers.
The battle of Trenton re-ignited the cause of freedom and gave new life to the
American Revolution.
Key Words:
American Revolution ~ the war fought between Great Britain and its North
American colonies (1775-1783). General George Washington was the commander-inchief (leader) of the Continental Army (American troops).
Delaware River ~ a major river on the Atlantic coast of the United States.
Washington crossed the Delaware from Pennsylvania into New Jersey with his troops
on December 25, 1776.
Battle of Trenton ~ after crossing the Delaware, Washington led about 2,400 of his
men to Trenton, New Jersey. Washington’s victory at the Battle of Trenton raised the
spirits of the colonists and gave them hope that the Continental Army could
ultimately defeat the British.
Kodak moment ~ a scene worthy of capturing in a photograph. Kodak is a brand of
camera. The camera had not been invented in 1776, but there is a famous painting of
George Washington crossing the Delaware. It was created in 1851 by Emanuel Leutze
and is currently displayed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.
Hessians ~ German soldiers hired to serve in the British army during the American
Revolution. The Hessians were defeated in the surprise attack at the Battle of Trenton.
About 1,000 of them were taken prisoner. Only four American lives were lost.
Yorktown ~ an important battle in Virginia. During the Battle of Yorktown,
September 28, 1781, General Washington led 17,000 French and American troops in
the defeat of British General Cornwallis. The surrender of Cornwallis effectively
ended the war and led to the independence of the colonies.
Chapeau ~ a hat or cap. Washington’s chapeau was a tricorn – a hat with the brim
turned up on all three sides. During Colonial times, it was worn by civilians and was
also part of military uniforms.
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Amelia
Amelia Earhart (1897-1937), American aviatrix, is famous for her flights
across the Atlantic and Pacific oceans and her attempt to fly around the world. She
became an inspiring role model, often using her fame to speak out for peace, women's
rights, and the future of aviation.
Her disappearance remains one of the most intriguing mysteries of the
twentieth century. In June 1937, she left Miami, Florida, on an around-the-world
flight attempt. On July 2, her plane vanished in the South Pacific. The world waited
with fascination as search teams from the United States and Japan converged on the
scene, but she was never found.
Key Words:
Aviatrix ~ a female airplane pilot. Amelia had her first flying lesson when she was 23
years old, and six months later she bought her first plane. It was a bright yellow twoseater biplane that she named “Canary.”
South Pacific ~ the part of the Pacific Ocean that is south of the equator. On her final
flight, Amelia’s plane disappeared somewhere near Howland Island in the South
Pacific. In 1938 a lighthouse was built on the small island in her memory.
Radio coordinates ~ a set of numbers that determine the position of something.
Pilots are able to receive coordinates from people tracking a flight so they are able to
know their exact location. When Amelia’s plane disappeared, the radio transmissions
were faint and often interrupted with static. It was unclear exactly where she was
when she disappeared.
Pioneer ~ a person who opens up new areas; a person who leads the way. Amelia led
the way for women in many areas of aviation. She was the first woman to fly solo
across the Atlantic Ocean, and she received the U.S. Distinguished Flying Cross for
that record.
Autogiro ~ a type of aircraft similar to a helicopter. Amelia Earhart was the first
woman to fly an autogiro and also the first woman to fly one across the United States.
She set a record for taking an autogiro to an altitude of 18,415 feet.
Theories ~ ideas intended to explain something. The U.S. government searched
250,000 square miles of ocean in the days following her disappearance before calling
off the rescue attempt. There have been many theories about what happened to
Amelia Earhart in 1937, but to this day no one knows for sure.
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All Across the Land
Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865), considered to be one of our country's
greatest presidents, is remembered for his great human qualities. He was a patient,
compassionate and honest man. Though people often criticized him and in his life was
in danger of assassination, he bravely led America by the principles he believed to be
right, "with malice toward none, with charity for all."
As president, he accomplished two major feats: he freed the slaves and kept
the union of states together, despite the Civil War, which threatened to tear the
United States apart.
Key Words:
Compassionate ~ feeling or showing sympathy or concern for others. Lincoln cared
for all of the people in the United States, but he was especially compassionate about
the slaves. He supported the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, which did away
with slavery throughout the United States.
Assassination ~ murder of an important person, often for political reasons. Lincoln
was the 16th President of the United States, serving from March of 1861 until his
assassination in April of 1865. Lincoln was killed at Ford’s Theater in Washington D.C.
by John Wilkes Booth.
Principles ~ morally correct behaviors or attitude. Lincoln was respected for his
honesty and integrity, principles that guided his presidency. His words, “with malice
toward none, with charity for all” were part of his second inaugural address. He
meant that instead of ill will, all people should be treated with kindness and
tolerance.
Civil War ~ in the United States, the war between the Union (the North) and the
Confederacy (the South) from 1861-1865. The Civil War took place during Lincoln’s
presidency. He was a strong leader of the Union during this very difficult time.
Proclamation ~ a public or official announcement dealing with a matter of great
importance. The Emancipation Proclamation is one of the greatest documents of
human freedom. Lincoln issued the proclamation at the beginning of 1863. It declared
freedom for all slaves in the Confederate states.
Gettysburg ~ a Civil War battle in Pennsylvania. The Battle of Gettysburg was fought
July 1-3, 1863, and it had the largest number of causalities in the war. Lincoln later
gave his “Four score and seven years ago…” speech at the dedication of a cemetery
there on November 19, 1863.
Appomattox ~ a Civil War battle in Virginia; the final battle of the war.
Abolitionists ~ people in favor of doing away with slavery.
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Activities & Ideas to Try After the Concert
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Encourage students to recall and compare some of the songs performed and
the heroes discussed with appropriate facts and relevant, descriptive details.
What was the best part of the program? Who are the favorite heroes? Why?
Review each hero's greatest accomplishments. (Common Core Standards: L.1.1,
1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 6.1, 6.2)
Ask each student to write a paragraph or draw a picture about his/her favorite
hero to help the student clarify his/her ideas, thoughts, and feelings. (Common
Core Standards: SL.1.5, 2.5, W.1.8, 2.8, 3.1, 4.1, 5.1, 6.1)
Challenge the students to come up with new titles for each of the songs. The
titles should reflect the importance and accomplishments of each hero.
(Common Core Standards: W.4.9, 5.9, 6.9)
Have each student write a friendly letter to one of the heroes. The letters could
state what they admire about the person, a pertinent question for the hero,
and how they have been affected or inspired by the actions of the hero.
Complete an acrostic using one of the hero’s names, showing character traits,
events, and other things that are related to that person.
Design a book cover for the biography of one of the heroes. Give the “book” a
title that is appropriate for that person. (Common Core Standards: SL.1.5, 2.5)
Read about another related famous American. Complete a Venn diagram
comparing one of the heroes to that person. (Common Core Standards: RI.1.9,
2.9, 3.9, 4.9, 5.9)
Discussion: Henry Lee once said of Washington that he was “first in war, first
in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen.” Talk about how this
quotation reflects the contributions Washington made to the founding and
development of the United States of America.
Work together to discover several firsts in the history of flight – from the first
airplane (Wright Brothers) to the first man on the moon (Armstrong).
Refer back to the song “Heroes.” Listen to the song and/or share the printed
lyrics. Have students identify words and phrases that describe the actions and
characteristics of heroes.
Based on interests and readiness, have students complete research on related
topics such as the March on Washington, Lewis & Clark Expedition, American
Revolution, Civil War, etc. (Common Core Standards: W.3.7, 4.7, 5.7, 6.7)
For additional information, visit www.jonsprout.com.
 Review concert materials and photos.
 Read teaching aids and ideas regarding heroes.
 Download a calendar of important hero dates.
 Read about Jonathan’s six different concerts.
 Follow dozens of links to hero websites for research.
 Read Jonathan’s newsletter and blog entries.
 Listen to songs from Jonathan’s eight CDs.
 Sign up to receive Jonathan’s occasional email newsletter.
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