12 Fifteen Minute Programs
Grade(s): 4 - 8
Curriculum Area:  Social Studies, Language Arts, American History, Art

American history and literature are filled with stories of individuals who have made a difference to the nation, their communities and, in many instances, the world at large. In addition to noted historical figures such as George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Betsy Ross and Thomas Jefferson, there are many, many people whose personal stories enrich our understanding of human nature, democracy, the physical world, the rights of common people and the ability of one person to make a difference. Portraits: The Americans, tells these stories by combining history, literature, music and art with surfing the Internet and video production. John Robbins - host, narrator and producer - is joined by students Shamis Beckley and Dwayne Nitz while they create portraits of famous and not-so-famous historical figures. The stories of these figures introduce entire units of study and unlock studentscuriosity about such topics as the American Revolution, westward expansion, natural history and conservation

Designed to instill good reporting skills as well as educate, Portraits demonstrates the joy of discovery. Each biography begins with a timeline illustrating dances, topics, food and favorite sports figures of the day. The unfolding of the subject's life story parallels the development of the portrait, executed in a manner to convey the spirit of the individual. Enlightened narration combined with information extracted from other media and locations evokes people, places or moments in American history. The program ends with a completed portrait.

Programs

1. Benjamin Franklin
   Benjamin Franklin's (1706-1790) electrical discoveries and inventions opened doors for him to a diplomatic career in Europe at the time of the American Revolution, making him the most internationally famous American of the 18th century. In the position of plenipotentiary, he was the Continental Congress'agent vested with full power to transact business on behalf of the American war effort.
   
2. Deborah Samson
   Deborah Samson (1760-1827), a young school teacher, wanted to play an active role in the American Revolution. Dressed as a man and using the name Robert Shurtliff, she signed up for three years as a Continental soldier and served with distinction until illness forced her to quit the war.
   
3. Benjamin Banneker
   Benjamin Banneker (1731-1806) was the best-known African American of his time. As a free black, he wrote against slavery; as a land surveyor, he assisted in the survey of what became the District of Columbia. He was also a mathematician, astronomer and almanac publisher.
   
4. Benedict Arnold
   Benedict Arnold (1741-1801), the most famous traitor in American history, had been an American hero. Early in the Revolution, he fought fearlessly in battle. However, his love of the "good life" eventually led him into financial trouble and, for a large sum of money, he switched his loyalty to the British.
   
5. John James Audubon
   John James Audubon (1785-1851) came from France to live in America at age 18. Enthralled by American birds, he was determined to paint each species life-size. At the time, his drawings were unappreciated in America, but he found fame in England where Robert Havell faithfully engraved and hand colored each of his bird portraits and published four substantial volumes of Audubon's art.
   
6. Elizabeth Blackwell
   Elizabeth Blackwell (1821-1910) was America's first female doctor. She came from England at age 10 and at 28 graduated from Geneva (NY) College of Medicine. After practicing briefly in Paris and London, she returned to New York City where she and her sister founded the New York Infirmary for Women and Children in 1853.
   
7. Buffalo Bill
   Buffalo Bill's (1846-1917) real name was William Frederick Cody. He was a scout for the Union before and during the Civil War. He acquired his nickname through his business of supplying buffalo meat to workers on the Kansas railroad. With legendary marksman and riding skills, he formed the immensely popular Wild West Extravaganza in 1883 that toured America and Europe for 30 years.
   
8. Annie Oakley
   Annie Oakley (1860-1926) was born in Ohio as Phoebe Ann Moses. At age 12, she helped support her family by supplying game birds to a Cincinnati restaurant. In her teens, she was discovered by Buffalo Bill and became one of his featured performers. She was first woman to hold the undisputed title of world's greatest sharpshooter - an honor she held for many years.
   
9. John Muir
   John Muir (1838-1914) emigrated from Scotland to America as a child. He grew up in Wisconsin and studied plants and animals at the state university. He covered America on foot and settled in California where he fell in love with the giant redwoods and the natural beauty of the land. As founder of the Sierra Club, he helped President Teddy Roosevelt establish restrictions to protect America's forests.
   
10. Nellie Bly
    Nellie Bly (1864-1922) was the pen name of journalist Elizabeth Cochrane, who invented the "stunt report." She used aliases and disguises to ferret out stories that often exposed unacceptable conditions, whether in an insane asylum or a baby-selling ring. In 1889, she decided to beat Phileas Fogg's fictional record of circling the world in 80 days - she did it in 72.
    
11. Jim Thorpe
    Jim Thorpe (1888-1953) was a Native American from the Sac and Fox tribe. His life was a series of "firsts." In the 1912 Olympics, he became the first and only person to win both the Pentathlon and Decathlon; he was the first American to simultaneously play professional baseball and football; and he became the first president of the National Football League.
    
12. Mary McLeod Bethune
    Mary McLeod Bethune (1875-1955) was born in South Carolina. As a child she picked cotton with her parents Samuel and Patsy McLeod. Nearby there was a school for Negro children founded by Emma Wilson, who taught her reading and math. Her dream was to become a foreign missionary; instead she found her mission in Florida where she established a college for African Americans. She went on to serve under Presidents Roosevelt and Truman and established the National Council of Negro Women.