Arrange a reading table or corner with the books mentioned in this issue of FOOTSTEPS and biographies and magazines of the writers included in the articles. Encourage students to read or scan the books in their free time. You may wish to offer special credit for book reports on these books; the book reports could be collated and added to the reading corner for extra interest or displayed on a Student Recommendations board in the school library.

List the words and phrases defined in this issue of FOOTSTEPS on a bulletin or chalk board; have students use them for spelling practice or divide class into small groups to create crossword puzzles with them.

Tell students that many of these pioneering Black American writers were deeply committed to moral and social values. Many were leaders for social justice and social change in their communities. Ask students, as they read the articles, to think about the forces that shaped these women""'s characters and helped develop their writing and stories.

Review the photos of women on the front cover and the poems on the back cover with your class. What do they notice about the faces of the women? About their poems?

Mary Ellen Watkins was the """first""" in several different fields. Can you name them? (first Black American female school teacher in Ohio, first Black American woman to publish a short story)

What influences may have contributed to Mary Ellen Watkins""' success as a writer and communicator? (early private school education, availability of a good library for further study while working, passionate commitment to a cause, availability of publications such as AngloAfrican Magazine and anti-slavery publications)

What was unusual about Watkins""' writing? (point of view of slave or Black American, challenge to traditions such as marriage, fostering of cooperation between races, belief in Black American potential)

Essay writing:

Compare and contrast the two love stories told by Pauline Hopkins in Contending Forces. What conclusions can you draw from her two stories?

Lucy Terry Smith fought for her rights and, in doing so, became "first" in several different roles. What were they? (first Black woman to argue in Massachusetts state Supreme court, first Black American female poet, first Black to argue for her son""'s admission to college when he was denied on race)

What is Phillis Wheatley""'s claim to publishing fame? (first collection of poetry published by a black American)

Why did people refuse to believe that Wheatley could write poetry? (because she was a slave)

Why is Harriet Jacobs""' work important? (first person account of the impact of slavery on a young girl)

Questions for Discussion:

How did Virginia Hamilton""'s early life influence her writing? (family encouraged her to read, told many traditional and historical stories, shared stories from their history and about Great Americans)

What was unusual or different about Virginia Hamilton""'s books? (African American and Native American characters, connection to oral tradition of storytelling, appreciation of fantasy and reality/past and present)

Research and Presentation:

Create a timeline of Virginia Hamilton""'s publications and the prizes she won for the class.

Give an oral book report on your favorite Hamilton book.

Reading for Information:

Why was Halle Berry attracted to the role of Janie in Their Eyes Were Watching God? (the character is full, rich, complicated, complex, and vulnerable; Berry felt she and the character were similar in their womanhood)

Why was Halle Berry attracted to the story? (Her friend Oprah Winfrey considers it a favorite book; it was a black American love story, different from all the slave stories)

What does Halle Berry think about acting? (that it is hard work and takes dedication)

Why is Zora Neale Huston famous? (first African American graduate of Barnard college; writer of fiction, folklore, and anthropological essays)

Who was Angela Davis? (a civil rights activist, lecturer, teacher, and writer who was acquitted of murder charges)

Creative Writing:

Imagine that you are Alfrado, abandoned by your mother at the age of six, and working as an indentured servant. Write a poem about who you are or write a journal entry about a day in your life.

Debate:

Black Americans and other Americans should or should not have separate political, cultural, and economic institutions as supported by the Black Arts Movement.

Dramatic Reading:

Have volunteer students share a favorite passage from any of the poems or books by these or other women writers they enjoy. Ask them to write a short introduction, just a sentence or two, about the author or the passage and what it means to them. Then have them read the passage aloud to their classmates.

They may want to share their readings with another class or their parents.