Lesson 7: Day 4 - Fanny Jackson Coppin

Fanny Jackson Coppin, Image Pubic Domain

Fanny Jackson Coppin, Image Pubic Domain

Google Doc for This Lesson


Activity 1: The Fanny Jackson Coppin Connection

Overview: In this activity, students analyze Fanny Jackson Coppin’s role at the Institute for Colored Youth as an educator, school administrator, and historian. By examining her leadership and legacy, students will consider how ICY was shaped by her vision.

Time: 30 minutes

Format: Whole Group

Objective: SWBAT investigate Fanny Jackson Coppin’s influence on the Institute for Colored Youth by examining her educational journey–in her own words–and evaluating how her leadership shaped the lives of ICY graduates.

  • Tell students: “Today we will investigate Fanny Jackson Coppin’s influence on the Institute for Colored Youth by examining her educational journey–in her own words”

  • Share  The Fanny Jackson Coppin Connection worksheet and say: “As we go through the reading together, jot down details about Coppin’s education as a student, her work as a teacher, and her leadership as a school administrator. Think about how these connect back to ICY’s mission and values.”

  • Project and read REMINISCENCES of School Life, and Hints on Teaching (Coppin, 1913 pp. 9-14 (1st paragraph )aloud, pausing occasionally to check for understanding.

  • Go to p. 19 (when Coppin leaves to come to Philadelphia) and read until p. 23 (1st paragraph).

  • Explain that Coppin shares strategies for teaching literacy, geography, Math, and English. 

  • Skip to p. 139 (Institute for Colored Youth) and read until p. 144.

    • Pause to look at the pictures of ICY graduates. 

    • Select a few ICY graduates to highlight on pp. 145-146

  • Give students time to complete their notes on the worksheet.

  • Highlight the themes of education as empowerment, ICY’s role in shaping leaders, and Coppin’s journey as a student and educator.


Activity 2: ICY Grad Essay: Orations

Overview: In this culminating activity, students present their ICY graduate essays as orations to the whole class. This provides an opportunity to practice public speaking in front of a larger audience and to celebrate the work they’ve done connecting ICY graduates’ legacies to the present.

Time: 20 minutes

Format: Whole Group

Objective: SWBAT demonstrate oratorical skills by presenting their revised essays aloud to the class with clarity, pacing, and emphasis, and by listening to the performances of their peers.

  • Ask a few volunteers to present their essays to the whole class, practicing their oratorical skills as if addressing a public audience.

  • Invite four to five volunteers (depending on time) to read their essays aloud. Encourage them to project their voices, use emphasis, and engage the audience.

  • Remind listeners to practice respectful listening and consider the strengths in each oration.

  • After the last reading, ask: “What stood out to you about today’s orations? What makes a powerful orator?”