GRADE: 4
Blended Lives
Preserving Our Legacy
Lesson 1
John G. Riley Leaves a Legacy
Learning Goal:
The students will be able to identify how John G. Riley made significant contributions to the Tallahassee
community.
Essential Question:
How did John G. Riley contribute to our community?
Materials and Resources needed for all Core Activities:
1. A printed or digital copy of Out of the Past, A Noble Leader (with discussion questions)
2. Pencils/ Pens
3. John G. Riley Leaves a Legacy sheet
Suggested Teaching Time: 30- 60 minutes
1.
1.
Show a picture of John G. Riley( see collage below)
Review “Out of the Past; A noble Leader (Audiobook, hard copy, pdf)
a. Be sure at the end of the book to show a picture of the house as is today and explain that
students will actually be going there (included in audio book and pdf.)
2.
Read the book “Out of the Past, A Noble Leader”

3.
4.
5.
6.
(Teacher options) Have the students take notes, answer discussion questions, or answer
as a class as the teacher reads the book.
Using book questions have students work in pairs, groups, or whole group to complete (Jigsaw?)
Whole group discussion reflecting on the book
Explain to student’s that before we learn more we must understand the background of slavery and the
effect it had on African Americans and our country (as Mr. Riley was born into and shaped by at an early
age)
https://www.brainpop.com/socialstudies/ushistory/slavery/
Complete Brain Pop quiz
ALL LESSONS AND ACTIVITIES CAN BE EDITED FOR YOUR CLASSROOM AND CAN SERVE AS SOCIAL
STUDIES BENCHMARK CORRELATION
7.
8.
Reflection question: Who or What does the John G. Riley House symbolize? (ticket out the door
that will connect to the lesson 3 which is the preservation of both Riley House and Capitol)
Possible extension or follow up activity; Allow students to also reference the “statement of significance”
from National Register of Historic Places nomination form as further evidence to support the completion
of “John G. Riley” Leaves a Legacy worksheet.
Social Studies
SS.4.A.1.1
SS.4.A.1.2
SS.4.C.2.1
SS.4.C.2.2
SS.4.C.2.3
Analyze primary and secondary resources to identify significant individuals and events throughout Florida history.
Synthesize information related to Florida history through print and electronic media.
Discuss public issues in Florida that impact the daily lives of its citizens.
Identify ways citizens work together to influence government and help solve community and state problems.
Explain the importance of public service, voting, and volunteerism.
Language Arts
LAFS.4.RL.1.1
LAFS.4.RI.1.2
LAFS.4.RI.1.3
LAFS.4.RI.2.4
LAFS.4.RI.3.7
LAFS.4.RF.3.3
LAFS.4.RF.4.4
LAFS.4.W.1.2
LAFS.4.W.3.7
LAFS.4.W.3.9
LAFS.4.W.4.10
LAFS.4.SL.1.1
LAFS.4.SL.1.2
LAFS.4.SL.2.4
Refer to details and examples in a text when explaining what
the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from text.
Determine the main idea of a text and explain how it is
supported by key details; summarize the text.
Explain events, procedures, ideas, or concepts in a historical, scientific,
or technical text, including what happened and why, based on specific
information in the text.
Determine the meaning of general academic and domain-specific words
or phrases in a text relevant to a grade 4 topic or subject area.
Interpret information presented visually, orally, or quantitatively (e.g., in
charts, graphs, diagrams, time lines, animations, or interactive elements
on Web pages) and explain how the information contributes to an
understanding of the text in which it appears.
Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding
words.
Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension.
Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas
and information clearly.
Conduct short research projects that build knowledge through
investigation of different aspects of a topic.
Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis,
reflection, and research.
Write routinely over extended time frames (time for research, reflection,
and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for
a range of discipline- specific tasks, purposes, and audiences.
Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one,
in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 4 topics and
texts, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.
Paraphrase portions of a text read aloud or information presented in
diverse media and formats, including visually, quantitatively, and orally.
Report on a topic or text, tell a story, or recount an experience in an
ALL LESSONS AND ACTIVITIES CAN BE EDITED FOR YOUR CLASSROOM AND CAN SERVE AS SOCIAL
STUDIES BENCHMARK CORRELATION
LAFS.4.SL.2.6
LAFS.4.L.1.1
LAFS.4.L.2.3
LAFS.4.L.3.4
LAFS.4.L.3.5
LAFS.4.L.3.6
organized manner, using appropriate facts and relevant, descriptive
details to support main ideas or themes; speak clearly at an
understandable pace.
Differentiate between contexts that call for formal English (e.g.,
presenting ideas) and situations where informal discourse is appropriate
(e.g., small-group discussion); use formal English when appropriate to
task and situation.
Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar
and usage when writing or speaking.
Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking,
reading, or listening.
Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning
words and phrases based on grade 4 reading and content, choosing
flexibly from a range of strategies.
Demonstrate understanding of word relationships, and nuances in word
meanings.
Acquire and use accurately general academic and domain-specific words
and phrases as found in grade level appropriate texts, including those
that signal precise actions, emotions, or states of being (e.g., wildlife,
conservation, and endangered when discussing animal preservation).
ALL LESSONS AND ACTIVITIES CAN BE EDITED FOR YOUR CLASSROOM AND CAN SERVE AS SOCIAL
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Name ___________________________
Date_____________________
John G. Riley Leaves a Legacy
How did Mr. Riley show good citizenship?
___________________________________________________________________
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What are some of the characteristics of good citizenship that Mr. Riley displayed?
___________________________________________________________________
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How did Mr. Riley’s actions have a positive influence in his community?
___________________________________________________________________
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Explain why Mr. Riley should be remembered.
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
ALL LESSONS AND ACTIVITIES CAN BE EDITED FOR YOUR CLASSROOM AND CAN SERVE AS SOCIAL
STUDIES BENCHMARK CORRELATION
ALL LESSONS AND ACTIVITIES CAN BE EDITED FOR YOUR CLASSROOM AND CAN SERVE AS SOCIAL
STUDIES BENCHMARK CORRELATION
Out of the Past: A Noble Leader
Page 1How many years ago was Mr. Riley born?
*What famous Supreme Court decision in 1857 affected the treatment of African Americans?
Page 2Where did Mr. Riley’s ancestors come from and what did he learn from them?
Page 3What important skill did Mr. Riley learn that not many others could?
Page 4What did a young Mr. Riley do to help others?
Page 5What was Mr. Riley’s first job?
*What would have the conditions been like?
Page 6Why would wagons have been such a useful thing to have?
Page 7-
ALL LESSONS AND ACTIVITIES CAN BE EDITED FOR YOUR CLASSROOM AND CAN SERVE AS SOCIAL
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When Mr. Riley became Principal of the Lincoln Academy in 1893, what are some of the jobs he would have done?
(hint: think about your own Principals job)
Page 8How did Mr. Riley become a millionaire?
*About how old is Mr. Riley’s special house?
Page 9-10
How did Mr. Riley help his community?
What was Mr. Riley’s nickname and why?
How do we honor Mr. Riley’s citizenship?
What important Supreme Court case happened the year a Tallahassee school was named after Mr. Riley?
Why do you think this book is called Out of the Past, A Noble Leader”?
Discussion Questions Answer Key:
1. 158 years
a. * Dred Scott
i. slave who forever changed the definition of property. He went with his master
to Illinois and Minnesota and claimed that this made him a free man. The
Missouri Supreme Court found otherwise. Scott, sued his new owner, John
Sanford of New York, for damages, alleging physical abuse. A federal court ruled
that Scott was a citizen. But the Supreme Court ruled otherwise. Chief Justice
Roger Taney, in an 1857 plurality opinion, said that African-Americans could
never become United States citizens and that the Missouri Compromise was
unconstitutional. Further, the Court said, Congress could not constitutionally
exclude slavery from the territories
2.
3.
4.
Mr. Riley’s ancestors came from Africa, he learned their customs and the way they dressed
Mr. Riley learned to read and write which most slaves could not
Mr. Riley helped others learn to read.
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5.
6.
7.
8.
Mr. Riley’s first job was as a merchant or working for his grandfather.
Answers will vary: to transport people and goods, to do work etc.
Answers will vary: teach, manage students, etc,
By saving money and fixing up houses and renting those to families who not afford to buy
homes.
a.
9.
The house is over 100 years
Mr. Riley helped his community by providing houses and loaning his church money to fix the
roof.
a.
b.
c.
Mr. Riley’s nickname was “Professor”
We honored Mr. Riley by naming a school after him.
Brown v. board of Education
i.
d.
May 17, 1954, the Supreme Court unanimously announced an end to
public segregation in schools in the famous Brown v. Board of
Education of Topeka case.
Answers will vary: teacher, businessman, church leader, civil rights leader
ALL LESSONS AND ACTIVITIES CAN BE EDITED FOR YOUR CLASSROOM AND CAN SERVE AS SOCIAL
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ALL LESSONS AND ACTIVITIES CAN BE EDITED FOR YOUR CLASSROOM AND CAN SERVE AS SOCIAL
STUDIES BENCHMARK CORRELATION