Famous New Yorkers
2013-2014 Series
Teachers’ Guide/Student Worksheets
This guide supports the Famous New
Yorkers series of profiles. It offers teachers
several short answer questions based on the
content of each profile. In some cases,
references to related websites are included with
additional materials about the person or their
pursuits. Lastly, the guide includes two or
three activities per profile called “Newspaper
Tie-ins.” These activities are suggestions for
how to bring the lessons of these historical
figures into the present and make them relevant
to our lives. These lessons were created for
students in grades 4-8 but can be narrowed or
expanded to accommodate the needs of each
instructor’s class. Feel free to modify these
activities or to create your own.
From top to bottom: Annie Edson
Taylor, John Burroughs and Jerome,
Samuel and Moses Horwitz – aka Curly,
Shemp and Moe – the “Three Stooges”
Created by the New York News Publishers Association –
Newspaper In Education Program
All rights reserved 2013
Common Core State Standards Chart
Lesson
Anchor
Standards
for Reading
Anchor
Standards
for Writing
Anchor
Standards
for
Speaking
and
Listening
Arlen
1, 10
4
2, 6
3, 4
5, 7, 8
Binney
4
1, 2, 4
1, 5
5
6
Burroughs
1, 6
3, 8
1, 4
1, 3
1, 2
Ferraro
2, 8
7, 8, 9
1, 3
6
3, 4, 6
Horwitz
1, 7, 9
6, 9
2, 6
5
6, 7
Jenkins
2, 9
8, 10
3
1, 2, 9
Lewis
1, 4
4, 7
4, 6
7
Sanford
2, 9
2, 3
2, 4
4, 5
Smith
5, 7
6, 8, 9
1, 2, 3
3, 6
6, 7, 8
Taylor
2, 9
2, 5, 7
4, 6
1
2
Vreeland
1, 2, 4
3, 4, 7
3, 6
3, 4
Wheeler
2, 6
5, 9
1, 4
3
3, 6
Winchell
1, 8
1
1, 3, 4
4
2, 5
2, 5
Anchor
Standards
for
Language
Standards for
History/Social
Studies
This chart can be used as quick reference when a teacher wants to find a lesson and the corresponding
Common Core State Standards (CCSS). For more detailed information on the CCSS and the specific
focus for instruction for each year go online to http://engageny.org/common-core/ or
http://www.corestandards.org/the-standards
Famous New Yorkers XII - created by the New York News Publishers Association – Newspaper In Education. All rights reserved 2013.
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Name_______________________________________________________________________________
Harold Arlen
Vocabulary – write a brief definition of the following words:
cantor _________________________________________________________________________________
improvisations __________________________________________________________________________
lyricist ________________________________________________________________________________
legendary ______________________________________________________________________________
skeptical _______________________________________________________________________________
collaborator ____________________________________________________________________________
Read the Famous New Yorker profile of Harold Arlen. Then answer the following questions.
1. What job did Harold Arlen’s father have? ______________________________________________
2. What was Harold Arlen’s original name? _______________________________________________
3. About how old was Arlen when he published his first song? ________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
4. What was the name of Arlen and Harburg’s biggest Hollywood project? How long did they have to
work on it? _______________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
5. About how old was Harold Arlen when he won an Academy Award? Which song earned Arlen the
award? _________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
6. Find Buffalo on a map of New York State or use an online mapping tool. About how far is Buffalo
from your school? _________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
Related website and book: www.allmusic.com/search/all/harold+Arlen
o Over the Rainbow by E. Y. Harburg, Harold Arlen, Julia Noonan (Illustrator), Age Range: 6-9, published
by HarperCollins Publishers
Newspaper Tie-ins:
 Play Harold Arlen’s music and match newspaper stories or photos to his music.
 Using newspaper articles or photos as a source of inspiration, write new song lyrics to a Harold Arlen
tune.
 Write a commercial jingle for a newspaper advertisement. Use the chart on the next page to organize your
work.
Famous New Yorkers XII - created by the New York News Publishers Association – Newspaper In Education. All rights reserved 2013.
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Name_______________________________________________________________________________
Directions: Look through the newspaper for an advertisement for a product or service that appeals to
you. If the ad is small paste it in the space below. Answer as many of the questions as you can to help
guide your writing process. Then write a commercial jingle for that product or service.
Who is your audience? Who would this product or service appeal to the most?
Is this product or service unique in some way? Be specific.
What makes this product or service better than the competition?
Assessment question: What was the most interesting thing you learned while doing this lesson?
Famous New Yorkers XII - created by the New York News Publishers Association – Newspaper In Education. All rights reserved 2013.
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Name_______________________________________________________________________________
Edwin Binney
Vocabulary – write a brief definition of the following words:
pigment _______________________________________________________________________________
popularized ____________________________________________________________________________
visualize _______________________________________________________________________________
competitors ____________________________________________________________________________
indelible _______________________________________________________________________________
Read the Famous New Yorker profile of Edwin Binney. Then answer the following questions.
1. About how old was Edwin Binney when he and his cousin took over the Peekskill Chemical
Company? _______________________________________________________________________
2. What pigment/color was used in Binney & Smith’s house paint?
a) Peerless Black
b) Barn Red
c) Red Oxide
d) Carbon Black
3. What did Binney & Smith invent in 1903 that was used by teachers and students? ______________
___________________________________________________________________________________
4. How did the colored sticks/crayons developed by Binney & Smith get their name? ______________
___________________________________________________________________________________
5. How many colors were included in the original 5 cent package of Crayolas? ___________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
6. Find Scrub Oak on a map of New York State or use an online mapping tool. About how far is it from
your school? _____________________________________________________________________
Newspaper Tie-ins:



Select an interesting photograph form the newspaper and create a drawing of it. If the image you select is
black and white, use your imagination to produce it in color.
Colors can set a mood or affect emotions. Generally, red causes the heart to beat faster, while blue is
peaceful and tranquil. Green symbolizes nature and is considered a refreshing color. Sunny yellow is
optimistic and is used as an attention-getter. Brown is thought to be solid and reliable. Purple stands for
royalty, wealth and luxury. Black is the color of authority and power, and white represents purity and
innocence. Based on this information, look through recent editions of the newspaper (print or online) for
examples of color use in headlines, ads, etc. Can you infer anything about an ad or article based on the
use of color? Discuss color use and its potential meaning with classmates.
Crayola crayons were invented to find a less expensive, efficient way to mark shipping containers. Either
through research or from your own experience, think of a problem that could be solved by developing a
new invention. What would you invent? After looking over advertisements in the newspaper, create an ad
for your new invention. Use the graphic organizer on the next page to pull together all the necessary
information for making a rough layout of your ad.
Famous New Yorkers XII - created by the New York News Publishers Association – Newspaper In Education. All rights reserved 2013.
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Name_______________________________________________________________________________
Invention Name _____________________________________________________________________
Invention’s description: What
does it do?
Invention’s features &
benefits:
Competition’s features &
benefits:
Who would use your invention? (Describe the ideal customer)
Why is your invention better?
How much does it cost?
Where can you find/buy it?
In the space below or on another sheet of paper draw a rough layout of what your advertisement would
look like. Be sure to use color to draw attention to your ad.
Assessment question: What did you enjoy most about this project?
Famous New Yorkers XII - created by the New York News Publishers Association – Newspaper In Education. All rights reserved 2013.
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Name_______________________________________________________________________________
John Burroughs
Vocabulary – write a brief definition of the following words and phrases:
shrine _________________________________________________________________________________
philosophy _____________________________________________________________________________
assumed name __________________________________________________________________________
currants _______________________________________________________________________________
expeditions ____________________________________________________________________________
Read the Famous New Yorker profile of John Burroughs. Then answer the following questions.
1. Approximately how long after John Burroughs left his father’s home did John buy his own farm in
West Park? _______________________________________________________________________
2. John Burroughs was a writer. The main topic of his books was…
a) poetry b) art
c) philosophy
d) nature
3. Besides writing, name at least two other jobs John Burroughs had during his lifetime. ____________
___________________________________________________________________________________
4. What famous park did Burroughs visit with the President of the United States? Which President was
it? ______________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
5. How old was John Burroughs when he died? ____________________________________________
6. Find Roxbury and West Park on a map of New York State or use an online mapping tool. About how
far is each from your school? About how far apart are Roxbury and West Park from each other? ______
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
Related Website:
http://www.research.amnh.org/burroughs/index.html – John Burroughs Association’s website
Newspaper Tie-ins:



Look through several editions of the newspaper for news and articles about nature and conservation.
Share what you’ve found with the class.
John Burroughs was raised on a farm, and even grew “grapes and currants” on his own land. Look
through the newspaper for information about current farming. What are farmers growing or raising in
your area? In other areas of the nation or the world?
Pretend you are a reporter traveling with the President and John Burroughs in 1903. Write a brief article
about what you experienced on this tour of Yellowstone National Park. Use the next page to gather
information and organize your thoughts.
Famous New Yorkers XII - created by the New York News Publishers Association – Newspaper In Education. All rights reserved 2013.
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Name_______________________________________________________________________________
1903 Tour of Yellowstone National Park
Who is traveling with you?
What have you seen/experienced on this journey?
When did you leave? When do you expect to arrive back home?
Where have you been? Where are you going?
How have you traveled? (Describe transportation, sleeping and eating arrangements and any other
important details to give your readers the feeling of being there.)
Why is this trip newsworthy?
Once you’ve answered the above questions including as many details as you could find, write your article on
a separate piece of paper. Review and revise as necessary.
Assessment question: What was the most difficult part of this learning activity?
Famous New Yorkers XII - created by the New York News Publishers Association – Newspaper In Education. All rights reserved 2013.
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Name_______________________________________________________________________________
Geraldine Ferraro
Vocabulary – write a brief definition of the following words:
achieve ________________________________________________________________________________
stigmatized ____________________________________________________________________________
prosecutor _____________________________________________________________________________
compassionate __________________________________________________________________________
ambassador ____________________________________________________________________________
inspirational ____________________________________________________________________________
Read the Famous New Yorker profile of Geraldine Ferraro. Then answer the following questions.
1. What was Geraldine Ferraro’s first job? ________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
2. About how old was Geraldine when she became an attorney? _______________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
3. What was the first political position that Geraldine successfully ran for? ______________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
4. True or false, Geraldine Ferraro was the first women to run on the national ticket of one of the two
major political parties.
TRUE
FALSE
5. President Bill Clinton appointed Geraldine Ferraro to what position? _________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
6. Find Newburgh on a map of New York State or use an online mapping tool. About how far is it from
your school? _____________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
Newspaper Tie-ins:
 Pretend you are a volunteer for one of the local candidates running for office. Create a
newspaper advertisement urging other to support your candidate over his/her opponents.
 Look through the local newspaper (in-print or online) for news about local, state or national
elections and the candidates seeking positions. Use the graphic organizer on the next page to
create a candidate profile highlighting each candidate’s position on key issues. (Work in small
groups with each group profiling a different candidate. Share group profiles with the class.)
Assessment question: What one thing about this lesson would you like to know more about?
Famous New Yorkers XII - created by the New York News Publishers Association – Newspaper In Education. All rights reserved 2013.
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Name_______________________________________________________________________________
Candidate Profile
Candidate’s Name: ____________________________________________________________________
Political Party Affiliation: ______________________________________________________________
Age:
Religion:
Residence:
PHOTO
Family:
Endorsements:
Experience: _________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
Education: __________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
Occupation(s): ________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
Qualifications: _______________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
Any other facts cited in newspaper articles, ads, opinion pieces, etc.: ____________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
If the election were to take place today, would you vote for this candidate? Why or why not?
Famous New Yorkers XII - created by the New York News Publishers Association – Newspaper In Education. All rights reserved 2013.
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Name_______________________________________________________________________________
Samuel, Moses and Jerome Horwitz
Vocabulary – write a brief definition of the following words:
stooge(s) ___________________________________________________________________________________
immigrants _________________________________________________________________________________
identified ___________________________________________________________________________________
tantrums ___________________________________________________________________________________
improvised _________________________________________________________________________________
mannerisms _________________________________________________________________________________
Read the Famous New Yorker profile of the Horwitz. Then answer the following questions.
1. Which Stooge portrayed the boss? ________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
2. How did the same brother take a leadership role for the act off screen? ____________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
3. True or False, Jerome “Curly” Howard was an orchestra conductor before he became a Stooge?
TRUE
FALSE
4. How many stooges were there throughout the group’s entertainment career? _______________________
5. How or why did the generation of fans in the late 50s/early 60s grow to love the Stooges? _____________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
6. Find Brooklyn on a map of New York State or use an online mapping tool. About how far is Brooklyn
from your school? _____________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Related Website and book:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOEaId5hkx4 – a short video clip with all three Horwitz brothers in one
move, Hold That Lion.
Funny Business: Conversations with Writers of Comedy, edited by Leonard S. Marcus, Age Range: 10 and
up, published by Candlewick
Newspaper Tie-ins:
 Carefully review the comic strips as a class for several days. Keeping one day’s comic strips secret, your
teacher will divide the class into groups and give each group one strip. Using the strip given each group
will act out the strip while the rest of the class will try to guess which comic strip is being performed.
 In keeping with the true nature of slapstick comedy, the Three Stooges hit, pushed and called each other
names throughout their movies. With fictional characters this behavior is okay and many consider it
funny. In real life, Moe would be considered a bully. What do you think? Explore newspaper comic
strips for other examples of bullying as humor.
Famous New Yorkers XII - created by the New York News Publishers Association – Newspaper In Education. All rights reserved 2013.
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Name_______________________________________________________________________________
Directions: Look through several editions of the comics section and find instances of bullying. Pick one
and identify the bully, the victim and bystanders. Why is the cartoon character being a bully? How is the
victim responding? What are the bystanders doing? Is anyone standing up for the victim?
Use the space below to re-draw this cartoon to show a positive interaction among the characters.
Follow up: The Three Stooges and others often treat other characters poorly to make people laugh. Can
you think of ways to make people laugh that are not hurtful?
Assessment: What message do you think the cartoonist of the original cartoon strip in the newspaper
was trying to express? Do you think it was positive or negative and why?
Famous New Yorkers XII - created by the New York News Publishers Association – Newspaper In Education. All rights reserved 2013.
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Name_______________________________________________________________________________
Clarence “Fats” Jenkins
Vocabulary – write a brief definition of the following words:
belied _________________________________________________________________________________
amateur _______________________________________________________________________________
expelled _______________________________________________________________________________
segregated _____________________________________________________________________________
induction ______________________________________________________________________________
Read the Famous New Yorker profile of Clarence Jenkins. Then answer the following questions.
1. What two sports did Clarence Jenkins play professionally? What sport did he participate in as an
official referee? ___________________________________________________________________
2. Why was he expelled from St. Christopher’s youth club team? ______________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
3. What tournament did the ‘Rens’ win during Jenkins’ last year with the team? What year was it? ___
___________________________________________________________________________________
4. Why did the ‘Rens’ often sleep on their touring bus? _____________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
5. Find Harlem on a map of New York State or use an online mapping tool. About how far is it from
your school? About how far is it from the City of Haarlem in the Netherlands? _________________
________________________________________________________________________________
Related Book:
Black Diamond: The Story of the Negro Baseball Leagues by Patricia C. McKissack, Fredrick L.
McKissack (Joint Author), A 1995 Coretta Scott King Honor Book, Age Range: 8-12, published by
Scholastic, Inc.
Newspaper Tie-ins:
 Look through the newspaper (in-print or online) for an athlete that participates in more than one
sport. Compare and contrast this athlete with Jenkins.
 Look through the newspaper, in print or electronic, for news about professional basketball and/or
baseball. What player today reminds you most of “Fats” Jenkins? Why? Defend your answer.
 Clarence Jenkins faced racial prejudice even though he was a successful professional athlete.
Look through the newspaper for current examples of discrimination. Select one example and
determine the basis for the discrimination (for example: age, race, gender, economic, etc.) Share
your examples as a class and brainstorm possible remedies to fight against continued prejudice.
Famous New Yorkers XII - created by the New York News Publishers Association – Newspaper In Education. All rights reserved 2013.
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Name_______________________________________________________________________________
Who? (The person or group being discriminated against)
When?
Where?
What? (Describe what type of prejudice took place)
How?(Brainstorm how this discrimination might be stopped.)
Follow up: If you were to get involved with a cause which would you select and why?
Assessment question: What one thing you learned today surprised you?
Famous New Yorkers XII - created by the New York News Publishers Association – Newspaper In Education. All rights reserved 2013.
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Name_______________________________________________________________________________
Mary Edmonia Lewis
Vocabulary – write a brief definition of the following words and phrases:
Ojibway _______________________________________________________________________________
progressive ____________________________________________________________________________
medallion ______________________________________________________________________________
patrons ________________________________________________________________________________
neo-classical ___________________________________________________________________________
realism ________________________________________________________________________________
Read the Famous New Yorker profile of Mary Edmonia Lewis. Then answer the following questions.
1. What was Mary Edmonia Lewis’s ancestry? _____________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
2. What wrongdoing was Lewis accused of while attending Oberlin College? ____________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
3. What inspired Mary Edmonia Lewis to become a sculptor? _________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
4. In which European country did Lewis live and work? _____________________________________
5. Why did President Grant have Lewis sculpt a bust of him? _________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
6. Find Rensselaer on a map of New York State or use an online mapping tool. About how far is it
from your school? Using a map of the United States, give the approximate distance between
Rensselaer and Boston? Using a world map, about how far is Rensselaer to Italy?
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
Newspaper Tie-ins:
 As a class, discuss kinds of art you have seen in your community, your city, on TV, in
newspapers or on the Internet. Discuss which was the most unusual or the one you liked most.
 In groups or as a class, go through the print or electronic edition of the newspaper to find a photo
of an interesting building or public space, such as a park. Select one and use the graphic
organizer on the next page to gather detailed information about what you’ve found.
Famous New Yorkers XII - created by the New York News Publishers Association – Newspaper In Education. All rights reserved 2013.
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Name_______________________________________________________________________________
Art is everywhere in the world. Paintings, sculptures, statues, buildings, parks or specially designed
public spaces are kinds of art. Artists who created them use shapes, colors, textures and special materials
to get people to look at these works and respond to them as art. They design their art to get people to
take a fresh look at their surroundings, think in new ways or feel certain emotions.
Write down three adjectives to describe the building or space:
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
Write down three emotions you might feel if you were standing near the building or in the space.
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
Write a sentence describing what you think is the most interesting thing about the building or space.
Is it the size, shape, colors or something else? __________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
Follow up: If you were designing a building or public space, such as a park, what would it look like? What
shapes, colors, textures or special materials would you include and why? If you’d like, make a quick drawing
of your building or space on another piece of paper.
Assessment question: What one new thing did you learn about sculpture or other art forms during this
lesson?
This activity was modified from an original lesson from Power Pack: Lessons in Civics, Math and Fine Arts for NIE Week 2011, created for NAA
Foundation by Peter Landry, Hollister Kids. For additional NIE art activities go to www.americanpressinstitute.org
Famous New Yorkers XII - created by the New York News Publishers Association – Newspaper In Education. All rights reserved 2013.
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Name_______________________________________________________________________________
Isabel Sanford
Vocabulary – write a brief definition of the following words:
immoral _______________________________________________________________________________
stereotyped ____________________________________________________________________________
interracial ______________________________________________________________________________
debut _________________________________________________________________________________
defused _______________________________________________________________________________
Read the Famous New Yorker profile of Isabel Sanford. Then answer the following questions.
1. What job did Isabel Sanford take over from her mother? ___________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
2. About how old was Sanford when she moved to California? Why did she move there? ___________
___________________________________________________________________________________
3. Name at least three roles portrayed by Isabel Sanford during her acting career. _________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
4. True or false, Isabel Sanford won an Academy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress.
T
F
5. Find Harlem on a map of New York State or use an online mapping tool. About how far is it from
your school? _____________________________________________________________________
Newspaper Tie-ins:
 Isabel Sanford’s character, Louise Jefferson, moved from a working class home in Queens to a
deluxe apartment in Manhattan following financial success from hard work.
o Look through several editions of the newspaper for articles about working class people
and/or successful business people. Compare and contrast the two.
o Look through the real estate section of the classifieds and look for a home listing where
“The Jeffersons” might have lived as working class people and/or as financially
successful business people. Which location would make you feel most at home?

Several of Isabel Sanford’s acting roles were stereotyped. Stereotypes are oversimplified ideas
about groups of people. Stereotypes can be based on race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual
orientation, physical appearance—almost any characteristic. Based on this definition, think about
examples of stereotypes from personal experience and from examples in the media. Use the
graphic organizer on the next page to record your thoughts and what you find out about one
stereotyped group.
(Lesson extension idea: Use newspaper archives to explore how stereotypes were portrayed in
newspapers of the past.)
Famous New Yorkers XII - created by the New York News Publishers Association – Newspaper In Education. All rights reserved 2013.
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Student Name ____________________________________________________________________
Directions: Select one group that is often stereotyped. In the first block on the left, briefly describe how
this group is characterized. Look through editions of the newspaper, in-print and online for articles,
images, advertisements, cartoons etc. involving this group. In the middle column, briefly record how the
group is treated in each example found. In the right column indicate if the coverage supports the
stereotype, goes against the stereotype or is simply a factual account and neutral. Be sure to support
your opinion with facts.
Stereotype
Examples in the Newspaper
Support, Oppose, Neutral?
Follow up: After completing this activity, do you feel differently about this stereotyped group? Why or
why not?
How do you think you are stereotyped?
Assessment question: Complete this statement. I think stereotyping is….
Famous New Yorkers XII - created by the New York News Publishers Association – Newspaper In Education. All rights reserved 2013.
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Name_______________________________________________________________________________
Gerrit Smith
Vocabulary – write a brief definition of the following word and phrases:
abstaining __________________________________________________________________________________
abolitionists ________________________________________________________________________________
compensating _______________________________________________________________________________
Underground Railroad ________________________________________________________________________
constitutional _______________________________________________________________________________
arsenal _____________________________________________________________________________________
reconciliation _______________________________________________________________________________
Read the Famous New Yorker profile of Gerrit Smith. Then answer the following questions.
1. Who is the town of Peterboro, New York named after? ________________________________________
2. Which of the following were things Gerrit Smith believed in?
a) Not drinking alcohol
b) abolishing slavery c) equality for all people
d) All of these
3. What would happen to former slaves under the American Colonization Society’s plan to abolish slavery?
_______________________________________________________________________________________
4. What was Gerrit Smith’s solution to the issue of freed slaves? ___________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
5. What political party was Smith part of in 1840? What did the party believe in? ______________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
6. Find Utica on a map of New York State or use an online mapping tool. About how far is it from your
school? ______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Related Website and book:
http://www.gerritsmith.org/ - Gerrit Smith Estate National Historic Landmark
I Came as a Stranger: The Underground Railroad by Bryan Prince, Ages 10 & up, published by Tundra
Newspaper Tie-ins:
 Gerrit Smith supported the abolition of slavery. Read through several editions of your local newspaper
(in print or online) and look for an issue or topic you feel requires change. As a class, brainstorm some
possible solutions to this problem. Write a letter to the editor summarizing your thoughts.
 Look through newspapers, print or electronic, for editorial cartoons. Collect several dealing with social
injustices. Use the graph on the next page to analyze your favorite.
Assessment question: What one thing about this lesson would you like to know more about?
Famous New Yorkers XII - created by the New York News Publishers Association – Newspaper In Education. All rights reserved 2013.
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Name_______________________________________________________________________________
Analyzing an Editorial/Political Cartoon
1. What is the cartoon’s title or caption?
2. Who drew the cartoon?
3. When and where was it published?
4. What is familiar to you in this cartoon?
5. What questions do you have about this cartoon?
6. Editorial cartoonists combine pictures and words to communicate their opinions.
What tools does the cartoonist use to make his or her point?
___ Humor
___ Labels
___ Caricature
___ Analogy to another historical or current event
___ Symbols
___ Stereotypes
___ Speech/idea balloons
___ References to popular culture, art, literature, etc.
7. List the important people or objects shown in the cartoon:
8. Are symbols used? If so, what are they and what do they mean?
9. Are stereotypes used? If so, what group is represented?
10. Is there a caricature of anyone in the cartoon? If so, who?
11. Briefly explain the message of the cartoon:
12. What groups would agree or disagree with the cartoon’s message? Why?
13. Do you think this cartoon is effective in expressing the artist’s message? Why or why
not?
Famous New Yorkers XII - created by the New York News Publishers Association – Newspaper In Education. All rights reserved 2013.
20
Name ______________________________________________________________________________
Annie Edson Taylor
Vocabulary – write a brief definition of the following words:
supplemented ___________________________________________________________________________
inheritance _____________________________________________________________________________
alternative _____________________________________________________________________________
treacherous ____________________________________________________________________________
scandalized ____________________________________________________________________________
Read the Famous New Yorker profile of Annie Edson Taylor. Then answer the following questions.
1. What did Annie Taylor do before she performed her stunt in Niagara Falls? She was…
a) a librarian b) not working c) a music teacher
d) a tour guide
2. True or false, Annie Taylor’s barrel was made of wood.
TRUE
FALSE
3. How old was Annie Edson Taylor when she plunged over the Falls? How old when she died in 1921?
________________________________________________________________________________
4. Why did Taylor perform the stunt? ____________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
5. Find Auburn on a map of New York State or use an online mapping tool. About how far is it from
your school? About how far apart are Auburn and Niagara Falls, USA? _______________________
________________________________________________________________________________
Related Website and Books:
http://www.niagarafallsinfo.com/history-item.php?entry_id=1454&current_category_id=132 – Daredevils of
Niagara Falls
o
o
o
Queen of the Falls by written and illustrated by Chris Van Allsburg
Age Range: 7 – 10, published by Houghton Mifflin
Barreling Over Niagara Falls by Nancy Allen and illustrated by Lisa Fields
Age Range: 5 – 8, published by Pelican Publishing Company, Incorporated
All about Niagara Falls: Fascinating Facts, Dramatic Discoveries by Linda Granfield, illustrated by
Sandi Hemsworth and Pat Cupples , Age Range: 8 – 12, published by HarperCollins Publishers
Newspaper Tie-ins:
 Annie Edson Taylor shocked many people when she went over the Horseshoe Falls in a wooden barrel.
Look through newspapers (print and online) and other resources for individuals who are doing something
unexpected based on their gender or age. Select one example and compare him or her with Annie Taylor.
 Look through recent editions of the newspaper (print and online) for articles about tourist attractions. Did
you find attractions that are relatively local or far away? Select one and compare it to Niagara Falls. Use
the chart on the next page to record what you’ve found. Give a brief oral report to the class.
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Name ______________________________________________________________________________
Name of Attraction:
Niagara Falls
What are the main features?
Niagara Falls is made up of three waterfalls, the
American Falls, the Bridal Veil Falls and the
Horseshoe Falls.
Where is this attraction located?
Niagara Falls is located on the border of Ontario,
Canada and northwestern part of New York State,
USA.
Why do people visit this attraction? About how
many people visit it?
People go to Niagara Falls to see one of nature’s
most spectacular wonders. The Niagara Falls are
visited by approximately 13 million people every
year. The peak season is from June to August.
What helpful hints should you know before
visiting this attraction?
If American visitors plan to visit both the American
and Canadian sides of Niagara Falls, U.S. adult
citizens need to travel with a valid passport or
enhanced driver’s license and proof of citizenship
for any accompanying children.
Follow up: Now that you’ve researched a tourist attraction, create a newspaper advertisement promoting this
location (or Niagara Falls) as a place to visit.
Assessment question: What is the most interesting thing you learned doing this activity?
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Name_______________________________________________________________________________
Edward B. Vreeland
Vocabulary – write a brief definition of the following words:
prestigious _____________________________________________________________________________
stockbrokers ___________________________________________________________________________
currency _______________________________________________________________________________
monetary ______________________________________________________________________________
vulnerable _____________________________________________________________________________
advocate _______________________________________________________________________________
Read the Famous New Yorker profile of Edward B. Vreeland. Then answer the following questions.
1. Name the three jobs Edward Vreeland had during his lifetime. ______________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
2. True or false, Vreeland’s ideas for a central bank came from studying South American banking
systems.
TRUE
FALSE
3. Who did Vreeland work with in the Senate to draft his currency and monetary-controlling bill? ____
________________________________________________________________________________
4. What federal department was ultimately created because of Vreeland’s legislative work? _________
________________________________________________________________________________
5. Find Cuba on a map of New York State or use an online mapping tool. About how far is it from your
school? _________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
Related Websites:
http://www.federalreserveeducation.org/ - Historic timelines, lesson plans and a wide range of resources for
students K-12 and the general public about the Federal Reserve, its monetary policy, banking supervision and
financial services.
Newspaper Tie-ins:
 Look through recent editions of the newspaper for news and information about the Federal Reserve (often
referred to informally as the “Fed). Who is currently the Chairman of the Federal Reserve?
 Former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan said the American economy is “an economy of
ideas.” A report issued by the Institute for Museum and Library Services stated: “The most valued
employees are those who continue to learn, who are able to think for themselves, apply problem-solving
skills, and adapt rapidly.” Keeping this in mind, review newspaper classified ads, past (using archives)
and present (print or online) and complete the task on the next page.*
*This newspaper activity is based on one from Economic Adventure from the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston.
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Name_______________________________________________________________________________
Directions: You need to hire an employee in 1820, 1920, and 2020. Compile a list of the skills and traits
you are looking for in each time period. Then write a classified ad to recruit qualified workers.
1820
Job description: (What type of
work is important in the current
economy?)
1920
2020
Skills/knowledge: (What skills
and traits are necessary to do this
work?)
Classified ad: (Be sure to
include details including: number
of work hours, salary and
benefits)
Follow up: In what ways do you think you can plan to continue to learn, think for yourself, apply problemsolving skills, and adapt rapidly when you will enter the workforce?
Assessment question: Complete this statement – The Federal Reserve is...
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Name_______________________________________________________________________________
William Almon Wheeler
Vocabulary – write a brief definition of the following words:
prominence ____________________________________________________________________________
ambitious ______________________________________________________________________________
modesty _______________________________________________________________________________
negotiator ______________________________________________________________________________
compromise ____________________________________________________________________________
expectations ____________________________________________________________________________
Read the Famous New Yorker profile of William A. Wheeler. Then answer the following questions.
1. Why did William drop out of the University of Vermont? __________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
2. True or false, William Almon Wheeler graduated law school to become a lawyer. TRUE FALSE
3. Name at least five jobs or positions Wheeler held. ________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
4. How did William Wheeler prove he was an honest man? ___________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
5. What was the highest public office William Wheeler held? What political party was he part of at that
time? ___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
6. Find Malone on a map of New York State or use an online mapping tool. About how far is it from
your school? _____________________________________________________________________
Related Website and book:
http://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/common/generic/VP_William_Wheeler.htm – more details about
William Wheeler from the US Senate website
o The Kid Who Ran for President by Dan Gutman, Age Range: 8-12 © 2012 published by Scholastic, Inc.
Age range 8-12, published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Newspaper Tie-ins:
 William Wheeler served as a New York State Assemblyman and Senator. Find out who represents your
community in these roles today. Then look for news articles about your representatives and the work they
are doing. Share what you find as a class.
 As Vice President of the United States, William Wheeler felt he “wasted away…with my starved
expectations.” Find out who serves as Vice President today and compare and contrast William Wheeler
to our current second in command.
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Name_______________________________________________________________________________
Use this formula for poetry writing as a model for a poem you write about William Wheeler:
Formula: Line 1 - Tell whom you are talking about. Line 2-Describe the person with two adjectives
connected by “and” or “but.” Line 3 - Use a verb and an adverb to show this person in a typical action.
Line 4 - Think up a comparison to show this person in a typical action.
Line 5 - Use an “if only” phrase which expresses something you wish for regarding this person.
Example:
Supervisor
Thoughtful and decisive
Listening intently
As concerned as a parent
If only everyone agreed
...NCPF, Sandra Cook
Your William Wheeler poem:
Line 1 _________________________________________________________________
Line 2 ____________________________ and _________________________________
Line 3 _________________________________________________________________
Line 4 As _________________________ as a _________________________________
Line 5 If only____________________________________________________________
By ____________________________________________________________________
Using the newspaper as a source, select a local representative or candidate for public office (For example:
Mayor, Councilman, Governor, etc.) and create a similar poem about him/her.
Your local leader poem:
Line 1 _________________________________________________________________
Line 2 ____________________________ and _________________________________
Line 3 _________________________________________________________________
Line 4 As _________________________ as a _________________________________
Line 5 If only____________________________________________________________
By ____________________________________________________________________
Follow up: Did you choose complimentary or critical terms to describe the local person? Write another
poem about your local representative that shows the person from a different perspective.
Assessment: Write a sentence or two about something you learned studying about William Wheeler and/or
another person who serves in a public office.
This was modified from the graphic organizer “A Poem to Describe a Candidate,” originally created by Sandra Cook, NC Press Foundation.
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Name_______________________________________________________________________________
Walter Winchell
Vocabulary – write a brief definition of the following words and phrases:
vaudeville _____________________________________________________________________________
syndicate ______________________________________________________________________________
catchphrase ____________________________________________________________________________
commentary ____________________________________________________________________________
Read the Famous New Yorker profile of Walter Winchell. Then answer the following questions.
1. What was the last year of schooling young Walter Winchell completed? ______________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
2. How did Walter start his news reporting career? _________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
3. What was the name of Mr. Winchell’s syndicated column? _________________________________
4. What political figure and government agency influenced Winchell’s reporting? _________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
5. Name a “good” cause Winchell helped create and support. _________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
6. How old was Walter when he died? ___________________________________________________
7. Find Harlem on a map of New York State or use an online mapping tool. About how far is it from
your school? _____________________________________________________________________
Related Websites and book:
http://www.radiohof.org/news/walterwinchell.html - Radio Hall of Fame profile on Walter Winchell –
includes audio file link offering everyone a chance to hear how his unique broadcasts sounded
http://people.howstuffworks.com/15-terms-popularized-by-walter-winchell.htm - 15 terms popularized
by Walter Winchell. Some do not stand the test of time – others are still part of our common speech.
The Landry News by Andrew Clements, Brian Selznick (Illustrator), Salvatore Murdocca (Illustrator)
Newspaper Tie-ins:
 Walter Winchell was among the first to report personal celebrity gossip. Can you find gossip in your
newspaper?
o If not, do you think you’re missing out? Why or why not?
o If so, did you think this information is important to your community? Why or Why not?
 Walter Winchell started his broadcast reports with telegraph clicks and the phrase, “Good evening
Mr. and Mrs. America and all the ships at sea.” This catchphrase ultimately became famous. Look
through the newspaper and other resources for terms or catchphrases that are commonly used today.
Use the chart on the next page to record your findings.
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Name_______________________________________________________________________________
Record the term or catchphrase. Research its definition or meaning and briefly summarize it in the space
provided. Try to determine if the phrase has been around a long time or just recently started to be used.
Term or Catchphrase
Definition/Meaning
Old or New?
Follow up: As a class, discuss the terms you found and predict which ones will last and which ones will
fade away and why.
Assessment question: What new words or phrases did you learn during this lesson?
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Series Exercises:
1. Create a timeline of all 13 Famous New Yorkers. Include important historical events.
2. Create a crossword puzzle using key vocabulary from each Famous New Yorker profile. Consider
use the crossword puzzle student interactive tool available free online at
www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/interactives/crossword/
3.
Write an obituary notice for each.
4. Write a classified ad for each Famous New Yorker. The classified could be a help wanted ad, an
item for sale ad, or perhaps a lost and found notice. Use your imagination and have fun!
5. Write a journal entry from each personality’s perspective regarding the challenge(s) he/she faced
during their lifetime.
6. Using various sources, including the Internet, try to find primary documents relating to each person.
7. If a Famous New Yorker’s home or residence has been designated as a historical landmark, research
it online or write a letter to the historical society responsible for maintaining it and request visitor
information.
8. Check your library for an autobiography or biography about one of the Famous New Yorkers and
read an extensive account of his or her life. Write a book report using appropriate organizational
strategies and make an oral presentation to the class.
9. Have the class nominate other Famous New Yorkers not included in this series. Have the students
vote to select one individual. What criteria did the class use for their selection? Historical
significance? A hometown favorite? Have the class submit their selection to your local newspaper
or send it directly to the New York News Publishers Association’s NIE Program.
Mary Miller
Education Services Director
New York News Publishers Association
50 Colvin Avenue, Suite 102
Albany, NY 12206
or email to: mmiller@nynpa.com
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Answer Key and Vocabulary Locators:
Harold Arlen:
1. He was a cantor.
2. Hyman Arluck
3. about 19 years old
4. The Wizard of Oz, Two months
5. about 34 years old, “Over the Rainbow”
6. (Answers will vary by location – a fast way to find an
answer is by using www.mapquest.com or Google maps)
Edwin Binney:
1. about 19 years old
2. c) Red Oxide
3. dustless chalk for
blackboards
4. Edwin Binney’s
wife named the colored
crayons by combining two
French words craie (chalk)
and ola (oily).
5. Eight colors
6. (Answers will
vary by location – a fast
way to find an answer is
by using www.mapquest.com
or Google maps)
John Burroughs:
1. approximately 20
years
2. b) nature
3. Accept any two: school teacher, clerk, Federal Bank
examiner
4. Yellowstone National Park, Theodore Roosevelt
5. 83 years old
6. (Answers will vary by location – a fast way to find an
answer is by using www.mapquest.com or Google maps)
The approximate distance between Roxbury and West Park
is about 66 miles.
Geraldine Ferraro:
1. She was a teacher.
2. 26 years old
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3. US Congresswoman for the NYS 9th Congressional District
4. True – Special Note: Other women have run for the position of President and/or VicePresident prior to Ms. Ferraro’s run in 1984 however, not for one of the major two
political parties. (i.e. Famous New Yorker: Belva Ann Lockwood in 1884 and 1888 as a
nominee for the National Equal Rights Party)
5. US Ambassador to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights
6. (Answers will vary by location – a fast way to find an answer is by using
www.mapquest.com or Google maps)
Horwitz brothers – Moses, Samuel and Jerome:
1. Moe
2. Moe signed a contract for the group with
Columbia Pictures to prevent Ted Healy from
keeping most of the group’s salary.
3. True
4. There were a total of six – Moe, Shemp, Curly,
Larry, Curly Joe and Joe Besser.
5. The Three Stooges movies began to be shown
on television.
6. (Answers will vary by location – a fast way to
find an answer is by using www.mapquest.com or
Google maps)
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Clarence “Fats” Jenkins:
1. baseball and basketball and he was a referee for boxing
2. because he was paid to play basketball for other teams
3. World Professional Basketball Tournament in 1939
4. Some hotels refused them because they were African-American
5. (Answers will vary by location – a fast way to find an answer is by using
www.mapquest.com or Google maps) The approximate distance between NYC’s Harlem
and Haarlem in the Netherlands is approximately 3,650 miles.
Mary Edmonia Lewis:
1. Her father was a free black man and her mother
was Native American.
2. She was accused of poisoning two classmates
and stealing art supplies.
3. a statue of Benjamin Franklin
4. Italy
5. He was impressed
by her sculpture of “The
Death of Cleopatra.”
6. (Answers will
vary by location – a fast
way to find an answer is
by using
www.mapquest.com or
Google maps)
Isabel Sanford:
1. She became a
cleaning lady.
2. She was about 43
years old when she moved to pursue her acting career.
3. Accept any three: Gertrude, a maid in Here Today, Sister
Moore in The Amen Corner, Tillie, a maid in Guess Who’s
Coming to Dinner?, and Louise “Weezy” Jefferson in All in
the Family and The Jeffersons.
4. False – she won an Emmy not an Oscar
5. (Answers will vary by location – a fast way to find an
answer is by using www.mapquest.com or Google maps)
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Gerrit Smith:
1. Peter Smith, Gerrit Smith’s father
2. d) All of these
3. Freed slaves would be sent to Africa.
4. He wanted to give freed slave land to farm,
making them productive citizens.
5. Liberty Party, immediate abolition and racial
equality
6. (Answers will vary by location – a fast way to
find an answer is by using www.mapquest.com or
Google maps)
Annie Edson Taylor:
1. c) a music teacher
2. True – Kentucky
Oak to be exact
3. Annie went over
the falls on her 63rd
birthday and she was 82
years old when she died.
4. She was seeking
fame and fortune.
5. (Answers will
vary by location – a fast
way to find an answer is
by using www.mapquest.com or Google maps)
Edward B. Vreeland:
1. banker, postmaster and Congressman
2. False – He studied European banking
3. Senator Nelson W. Aldrich of Rhode Island
4. The Federal Reserve
5. (Answers will vary by location – a fast way to
find an answer is by using www.mapquest.com or
Google maps)
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William Almon Wheeler:
1. finances and eye trouble
2. false
3. Accept any five of the follow responses: teacher, lawyer,
district attorney, NYS Assemblyman, NYS Senator, banker,
trustee for railroad, US Congressman, Vice President of the
United States
4. He refused bribes
5. Vice President of the United States; Republican Party
6. (Answers will vary by location – a fast way to find an
answer is by using www.mapquest.com or Google maps)
Walter Winchell:
1. Fifth grade
2. He
started
a
newsletter
called
“Newsense”
about
vaudeville performers.
3. “On Broadway”
4. J. Edgar Hoover
and the Federal Bureau of
Investigation (F.B.I.)
5. Damon Runyon Memorial Fund for Cancer
Research
6. 74 years old
7. (Answers will vary by location – a fast way to
find an answer is by using www.mapquest.com or
Google maps)
The additional graphic organizers found in the last pages of this guide include:
 A Study Guide (Bloom’s Taxonomy revised)
 Levels of Thinking and Reasoning (Bloom’s Taxonomy revised)
 Venn Diagram
 KLW Chart
 Cause and Effect
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Name_______________________________________________________________________________
A Study Guide*
Working in groups of no more than five, choose and study carefully a newspaper story about your community.
Answer the questions below based on details from the chosen story.
1. Remembering (retrieve)
Who committed the action? _________________________________________________________
What is the action? _______________________________________________________________
When did the action take place? ______________________________________________________
Where did the action take place? _____________________________________________________
2. Understanding (summarize)
Retell or give the main idea._________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
3. Applying (carry out)
Why is (the specific event)____________________________________________ significant?
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
4. Analyzing (compare)
How does (the problem in the story) ______________________________________ compare with another
problem _______________________________________________________________________?
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
5. Evaluating (judge)
Do you agree with a viewpoint offered by someone in the story or the opinion expressed by the
person writing the opinion ______________________________________________________?
What do you think? _______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
6. Creating (plan)
Devise an action plan to solve the problem and present your plan to a group of students, parents, school
and/or community officials? ________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
(*Bloom’s Taxonomy revised)
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Name ____________________________________________________________________
Levels of Thinking and Reasoning*
From your newspaper, choose a story about your community that interests and/or involves you and is likely to
appeal to other students in your class. Ask a question on each level and have a classmate read the story and
answer the questions. Also, ask for a critique of the questions.
Headline: _______________________________________________
Author: _________________________________________________
Newspaper: __________________________________Date: _______
Create
Evaluate
Analyze
Apply
Understand
Remember
Follow-up: Did the story appeal to your classmate? Did your classmate offer complete answers to the questions?
Did your classmate recommend any changes to the questions?
(*Bloom’s Taxonomy revised)
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Venn Diagram
Famous New Yorkers XII - created by the New York News Publishers Association – Newspaper In Education. All rights reserved 2013.
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Name_______________________________________________________________________________
KLW Chart
Directions: Before you read fill out the KNOW column with what you already know about the topic. As
you read fill in what you’ve LEARNED in the center column. After you have finished reading fill in the
WANT column with what you want to know more about.
KNOW
LEARN
WANT TO KNOW
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Name_______________________________________________________________________________
Cause and Effect
Cause
Effect
Cause
Effect
Cause
Effect
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