Bessie Coleman

Bessie Coleman was famous because . . .

• She died in 1926.

• She was smart and determined.

• She grew up with discrimination.

• She was the first African American woman to fly.

All made Bessie's childhood difficult EXCEPT . . .

• She grew up with discrimination.

• She was a very good math student.

• She walked 4 miles to and from school.

• Her whole family worked in cotton fields.

All are things African Americans couldn't do in the South EXCEPT . . .

• Work in cotton fields for white people.

• Eat with white people.

• Go to school with white people.

• Ride in a train with white people.

All are true about Bessie's school EXCEPT ...

• There weren't enough books.

• It went up to the 8th grade.

• Children didn't learn reading or math.

• There weren't enough pencils and paper.

Tags

CCSS.RI.9-10.8

All show that Bessie cared about education EXCEPT . . .

• She saved her money for college.

• She walked four miles to and from school.

• She was very good at math and reading.

• She didn't want to learn more when her money ran out.

Tags

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

Bessie thought Chicago was exciting for all reasons EXCEPT...

• Lois Armstrong played jazz.

• It was a big city.

• Her brother was there.

• There were talented African-American performers.

Who inspired Bessie to become a pilot?

• World War 1 pilots

• a barber

• an African-American instructor

• a newspaper publisher

Why did Bessie go to France?

• to learn French

• to go to flight school

• to meet Robert Abbott, a publisher

• to sail on a ship

Flight training was dangerous because . . .

• instructors discriminated against blacks

• instructions were in French

• biplanes had accidents

• There was a war in France.

Tags

CCSS.RI.9-10.1

CCSS.RI.9-10.8

All show that Bessie was popular EXCEPT . . .

• She wore boots, a helment, and goggles.

• Large crowds watched her shows.

• Audiences stood and clapped for her.

• She was guest of honor at musicals.

Tags

CCSS.RI.9-10.1

CCSS.RI.9-10.8

CCSS.W.9-10.9