Lesson Plan: Learning About W.E.B. Du Bois and “The Training of Black Men”

 Sharnice Wallace

December 7, 2025

ENGL 205

Lesson Plan: Learning About W.E.B. Du Bois and “The Training of Black Men”

Grade Level: 3rd

Subject: Social Studies / ELA

Theme: Education, fairness, and leadership

Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to Identify who W.E.B. Du Bois was and why he is important. Du Bois’s belief that every child deserves a good education. Understand that Du Bois believed education helps people become leaders who can improve their communities. Reflect on their own strengths and how education helps them grow.

Key Concepts:

W.E.B. Du Bois: A famous writer, teacher, and leader who worked hard to make sure everyone had a fair chance to learn. Education for All: Du Bois believed every child no matter who they are should have the chance to go to school and do great things. Helping Your Community: Du Bois believed that learning helps people become leaders who help their communities.

1. Warm-Up exercise

 “Why Do We Learn?”

“Why do we go to school?”

“How does learning help us or others?”

Today we are learning about someone who believes education helps everyone grow and become leaders.

2. Introduction to W.E.B. Du Bois 

Show a picture of Du Bois. 

W.E.B. Du Bois was an important writer and teacher who lived over 100 years ago. He believed that every child deserves a good education and that learning helps people make their communities better. One of his writings, The Training of Black Men, says that everyone should have the chance to learn, grow, and become leaders.

3. Mini-Reading / Summary:

Du Bois explained that education is important for everyone. He believed that when people learn reading, writing, thinking, and creating they can help solve problems and make the world a better place. He wanted all children to have the same chance to succeed.

 “What does this mean?” 

4. Group Discussion – Education Helps Us Grow. Working in groups at our tables we are going to answer the following questions and discuss.

Questions:

“What kinds of things do you learn that make you stronger or smarter?”

“How can learning help you help others?”

“Why is it important for everyone to have a chance to learn?”

Key ideas written on the board: fairness, learning, leadership, helping others.

5. Activity – My Educational Superpower

Handing out a worksheet and having the students answer the question in a short paragraph or draw a picture answering the question.

“What is something I’m good at? How can learning help me use this skill to help others?”

6. Sharing & Reflection activity 

A few students share their education superpower and connect back to Du Bois. This is exactly what Du Bois believed learning helps us grow and give back to the world.

We are going to create a classroom book of leaders with pages about Du Bois and other historical figures. Students are going to draw pictures of Du Bois and reflect on why he is such an important historical figure.

Students will then write a short paragraph for their homework titled “Why Learning Matters.” And voice why learning matters to them.