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Paired Texts > How Jackie Robinson Changed Baseball

by Jessica McBirney

2017

We've identified these texts as great options for text pairings based on similar themes, literary devices, topic, or writing style. Supplement your lesson with one or more of these options and challenge students to compare and contrast the texts. To assign a paired text, click on the text to go to its page and click the "Assign Text" button there.

9th Grade Non-Fiction 1090L
A Defiant Muhammad Ali Was Cherished By Black Men
  • Karen Grigsby Bates
  • 2016

Muhammad Ali’s legacy as a symbol of courage and a challenge to the status quo is remembered in light of his passing.

Pair “A Defiant Muhammad Ali Was Cherished by Black Men” with “How Jackie Robinson Changed Baseball” and ask student to discuss how Muhammad Ali and Jackie Robinson’s success in sports contributed to the Civil Rights Movement. Many people view these two men as heroes: why do you think this is? What qualities do they share can be considered heroic? How did these two men combat racism in different ways?

9th Grade Informational Text 1210L
Tuskegee Airmen
  • Jessica McBirney
  • 2017

In "Tuskegee Airmen," Jessica McBirney focuses on the group of African-American pilots known as the Tuskegee Airmen, who were were critical to the success of the U.S. Army during World War II and whose accomplishments led to the desegregation of the military.

Pair “Tuskegee Airmen” with “How Jackie Robinson Changed Baseball” and ask students to discuss how segregation and discrimination are challenged in the two texts. How did Jackie Robinson and the Tuskegee Airmen prove to the world that racial discrimination and segregation needed to end?

7th Grade Informational Text 1150L
The Legacy of Charles R. Drew
  • CommonLit Staff
  • 2017

The informational text “The Legacy of Charles R. Drew” explores the life and accomplishments of Charles R. Drew, an African American doctor who made incredible contributions to the field of medicine.

Pair “How Jackie Robinson Changed Baseball” with “The Legacy of Charles R. Drew” and ask students to discuss the positive changes that Robinson and Drew encouraged in their professions. How did these changes impact the future? How did they overcome the discrimination they faced to accomplish these great things? Do you think one of these figures should be considered more important than the other? Why or why not?

6th Grade Informational Text 1120L
The Cotton Club
  • Jessica McBirney
  • 2017

In the informational text “The Cotton Club,” Jessica McBirney describes the popular club in Harlem where several African American entertainers performed and gained notoriety.

Pair “How Jackie Robinson Changed Baseball” with “The Cotton Club” and ask students to discuss similar examples of segregation and discrimination in the two texts. How did the success of African Americans explored in each text contribute to the future change?

10th Grade Informational Text 1280L
Baseball Is A Field Of Dreams — And Dashed Hopes — For Dominicans
  • David Lagesse
  • 2016

In the informational text “Baseball Is A Field Of Dreams — And Dashed Hopes — For Dominicans” David Lagesse discusses the influence that baseball has had in the Dominican Republic.

Pair “How Jackie Robinson Changed Baseball” with “Baseball Is A Field Of Dreams — And Dashed Hopes — For Dominicans” and ask students to discuss how people have achieved success in baseball. What challenges did players in both texts have to overcome in order to succeed? How do both texts explore ways in which baseball has changed?

8th Grade Informational Text 1150L
The Youngest of the Little Rock Nine Speaks Out About Holding onto History
  • Allison Keyes
  • 2017

In the informational text “The Youngest of the Little Rock Nine Speaks Out About Holding onto History,” Carlotta Walls LaNier discusses her experiences attending the formerly all-white Little Rock Central High School.

Pair “How Jackie Robinson Changed Baseball” with “The Youngest of the Little Rock Nine Speaks Out About Holding onto History” to provide students with another example of someone who challenged segregation. What obstacles did Carlotta Wall LaNier and Jackie Robinson face when challenging segregation? What kind of mentality do students think LaNier and Robinson needed in order to face the hostility they did? How did each contribute to the Civil Rights Movement?

7th Grade Biography 1050L
Jesse Owens
  • Shelby Ostergaard
  • 2018

In the informational text “Jesse Owens,” Shelby Ostergaard discusses Jesse Owens’ win at the Summer Olympics in 1936, in front of Adolf Hitler.

Pair “How Jackie Robinson Changed Baseball” with “Jesse Owens” and ask students to discuss how both men contributed to sports. How do students think the actions of Robinson and Owens changed sports for other black athletes? What obstacles did Jackie Robinson and Jesse Owens face because of their race in America?