Voices of Nebraska

Lesson Overview

Students will explore notable Nebraskans by conducting brief research and sharing a meaningful personal story or quote from their chosen individual. They will then write a reflection connecting these stories to themes of leadership and culture, developing their research, speaking, and narrative writing skills in alignment with Common Core State Standards.

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Learning Objectives

• I can research and identify important details about a notable Nebraskan’s life and community impact.
• I can communicate a personal story or quote clearly within a group setting.
• I can write a reflection that connects a story to broader themes like leadership and culture.

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Common Core State Standards Addressed

Reading Informational Text (RI)

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.8.1: Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.8.9: Analyze a case in which two or more texts provide conflicting information on the same topic, noting differences in authors' perspectives.

Speaking and Listening (SL)

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.8.1: Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.8.4: Present claims and findings, emphasizing salient points in a focused, coherent manner with relevant descriptions and facts.

Writing (W)

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.2: Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas clearly.
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.4: Produce clear and coherent writing appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.

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Materials Needed

• Index cards or laptops/tablets for research
• Printed list of suggested notable Nebraskans (including diverse figures such as Mari Sandoz, Malcolm X, Gerald “Jerry” V. Smith, and others)
• Writing paper or digital document for reflection
• Dyslexia-friendly font printouts or text-to-speech apps
• Timer or stopwatch

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Lesson Timeline (20 Minutes)

1. Introduction & Setup (3 minutes)

• Briefly introduce “Humans of Nebraska” theme. Explain how narrative stories connect us to history and culture.
• Distribute or display a curated list of notable Nebraskans to guide research.
• Explain the “storytelling circle” format: each student will share a story or quote followed by a reflection.

2. Independent Research (5 minutes)

• Students research (using books/tablets/index cards) one notable Nebraskan’s story or quote.
• Guide students to identify: who they are, what the story/quote says, and its community impact.
• Encourage dyslexia-friendly reading support like colored overlays or audio tools.

3. Storytelling Circle (8 minutes)

• Each student shares their story or quote aloud (limit 30 seconds each).
• Encourage clear expression with eye contact and volume, supporting SL.8.1 & SL.8.4.
• Peers listen actively, noting interesting leadership or cultural messages.

4. Written Reflection (4 minutes)

• Prompt: “How does your Nebraskan’s story show leadership or cultural strength? Why is it important today?”
• Students write short reflections, using clear sentence structure and examples.
• Allow for dyslexia-friendly writing environments (line spacing, keyboarding options).

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Success Criteria

• Students cite accurate details about their chosen Nebraskan's life or quote.
• Students communicate their story clearly to peers.
• Written reflection connects story to leadership or cultural theme with at least one specific example.

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Differentiation Strategies

• For struggling students:

  • Provide simplified texts and pre-highlighted sentences.
  • Pair with a peer or adult helper during research.
  • Allow oral reflection instead of written if needed.

• For dyslexic learners:

  • Use dyslexia-friendly fonts and backgrounds.
  • Provide audio versions of research materials.
  • Allow extra time for writing reflection.

• For ELL students:

  • Pre-teach key vocabulary (e.g., leadership, community, legacy).
  • Allow bilingual dictionaries or partner discussions.

• For students with attention challenges:

  • Offer movement breaks between activities.
  • Use timers for focused work periods.

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Extension Activities for Advanced Learners

• Prepare a brief oral presentation comparing two Nebraskans’ leadership styles.
• Write a longer narrative imagining a day in the life of the Nebraskan researched.
• Compose a poem inspired by the quote or story shared.

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Teacher Reflection Tips

• Observe student engagement in storytelling and support balanced participation.
• Review reflections for depth of connection to themes beyond surface-level facts.
• Adjust resources and time allotments for future lessons based on student needs.

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This lesson transforms local history into personal, relatable learning while sharpening key Common Core skills in research, speaking, listening, and writing—perfectly tailored for your 8th graders’ development and curiosity about the human stories behind Nebraska’s heritage.