Scholastic’s Phyllis C. Hunter Classroom Library
Absent Narrative Lesson Plan – Grade 2
Title:
Madam C.J. Walker
Author:
Catherine Nichols
List of Titles Included
in Phyllis C. Hunter
Classroom Library
Grade 2:
http://teacher.scholastic.com/products/classroombooks/p
dfs/PCH_title_list_2_2007_web.pdf
Genre:
Biography
Summary:
Born in a cabin in Delta, Louisiana, in 1919, Walker grew up to invent and market haircare products for African American women, and she became a millionaire. This simple
biography for beginning readers, part of the News Nonfiction Readers series, tells
Walker's rags-to-riches story.
Subject Integration:
Technology
Lesson Objectives:
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Materials/Resources:
Pre-Lesson Activities:
The students will examine hair and determine why they think it is important.
The students will write a short paragraph stating what they love most about their hair.
Access to the website: http://www.madamcjwalker.com/ (On the website, there are
videos and more information about Madam C.J. Walker.), the song, “Whip My Hair” by
Willow Smith, “I Love My Hair” video on Sesame Street, copies of hair magazines
including hairstyles for Hispanic, African American, Asian, and Caucasian hair, various
hair products such as combs, brushes, curling irons, shampoos, conditioners, etc.
Interest Inventory
Ask the students to discuss their favorite hairstyles. Ask the students to make K-W-L
chart about hair.
To the Teacher
Before teaching the lesson, familiarize yourself with the life of Madam C.J. Walker. Two
sources of biography information are found at the following websites:
http://www.madamcjwalker.com/bios/madam-c-j-walker/,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madam_C._J._Walker
Other books about Madam C.J. Walker:
Vision of Beauty: The Story of Sarah Breedlove Walker by Kathryn Lasky,
Madame C.J. Walker (Black American Series) by Cookie Lommel
Engagement Activity:
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__________________________
Minnesota Humanities Center
www.mnhum.org
Show the sesame street video, “I Love My Hair” at the website
http://www.sesamestreet.org/video_player/-/pgpv/videoplayer/0/cc57f410-9bb4-4c1cbf9d-8944b00572e1
Show the class pictures of different hairstyles from any of the following websites:
(www.4hairstyles.com, http://hairstyles.free-beauty-tips.glam.com/,
http://beauty.about.com/od/blackhair/ss/shortblack2.htm,
http://www.sophisticatesblackhairstyles.com, http://www.ambermag.com,
www.latina.com )
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Lesson Plan:
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Assessment:
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Spread out various hairstyle magazines and instruct the students to choose 2 or 3 of
their favorite hairstyles.
Ask the class to shout out words that describe hair for example: short, long, curly,
black, blonde, auburn, texture, length, cornrow, dreadlocks, ponytail, bob, Mohawk,
braids, bald, afro, waves, buzz, mullet, etc. Record the words on poster paper.
Display various tools and products that people use on their hair.
Ask the students to shout out words that describe the tools and products people use
on their hair, for example: hot comb, brush, flat iron, curling iron, shampoo,
conditioner, grease, hair dryer, hot oil, mousse, hair spray, etc. Record those words
on the poster paper.
Ask the students to imagine a time when these products were not available. Ask
them to think-pair-share what they imagine life would be like if they could not do their
hair the way they wanted.
Inform the class that you will be reading a book about a lady named Madam C.J.
Walker. She was a woman who was born in 1867 and because of her love for her
hair and her desire to help other women love their hair, she became America’s first
self-made female millionaire!
Begin reading the book, stopping at theses pages to ask the following questions:
p. 8 – Why do you think that the products did not work on her hair? (Many hair
products at that time were not made with ethnic hair in mind.)
p. 10 – What words can describe what Madam C.J. Walker became once she
created her own working product? (inventor, chemist, etc.)
p. 12 – What words describe her now? (business woman, entrepreneur, etc.)
p. 18 – When a person donates money to help others, what are they called?
(philanthropist)
Ask the class to think about what Madam C.J. Walker’s legacy has become.
3. Pose the question, “How do you think Madam C.J. Walker wants all people to
feel about their hair?”
Ask the students to discuss why they think that hair is important.
Assign the students to write a short paragraph about why they love their hair and
draw a picture of them wearing their favorite hairstyle.
Display the students’ work.
Closure:
Watch Sesame’s Street episode “I Love My Hair” again.
Teacher Reflection:
I enjoyed writing this lesson plan about Madam C.J. Walker because I believe that she is
an important part of American history. Becoming America’s first self-made female
millionaire was an awesome accomplishment. I also loved writing this lesson because I
believe it is important to teach students to love themselves. Teaching students to love
their hair is a crucial part of them learning to love themselves.
Lesson created for the Minnesota Humanities Center by LaTosha Washington, Omaha
Public Schools.
__________________________
Minnesota Humanities Center
www.mnhum.org
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