Fort Mose : and the Story of the Man who Built the First Free Black Settlement in Colonial America by Glennette Turner. 2010.

Settling Florida

Inspiration Book:

Fort Mose : and the story of the man who built the first free black settlement in Colonial America by Turner, Glennette Tilley — Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2010--975.9; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 6.9. Tells the story of Fort Mose, the first free African settlement to legally exist in what is now the United States, established in St. Augustine, Florida, in 1738, and includes over forty images, as well as notes on the uncovering of the fort. This book describes the life of Francisco Menendez, from Africa and then in British and Spanish colonies in America, and his founding of the first legal free black settlement, in 1738. 

Rationale: Some books, while excellent books, do not warrant a whole lesson based on just that book. This Inspiration Book is one such book. In fact, most books could be considered such books. How would I use this book? Students in Grades 5-8 often study United States history and government. Most of the textbooks, unless for the state of Florida’s state history, give passing reference to the Spanish settlement of St. Augustine--maybe a paragraph at best. When the class reaches colonial U.S. history, either give the teacher a copy of the Inspiration Book to read aloud OR read it aloud yourself in the library or the classroom.

I reviewed The Other Side of Free for an online review site. That title, too, would make an excellent read aloud. If you live in Florida, it could be a fine group study in an integrated unit about Florida colonization.

Teacher Resources:

Interview for The Brown Bookshelf http://thebrownbookshelf.com/2013/02/05/day-5-glennette-tilley-turner/

Lesson Plan from Port St. Lucie Schools https://www.stlucie.k12.fl.us/programs/african-american/documents/Lessons/04_SS_LPQ2_093.pdf

A series of lesson plans about Spanish Colonial St. Augustine for elementary, middle, and high school https://dloc.com/teachers/plans

Saint Augustine  Digital Memories http://staugustinedigitalmemories.com/fort-mose-teacher-resources/

Related Books:

The other side of free by Russell, Krista  — Peachtree, 2013--Fic-; Int Lvl: 5-8; Rd Lvl: 4.9 In 1739, having escaped from slavery under the British, thirteen-year-old Jem finds himself in the custody of sharp-tongued Phaedra at Fort Mose in Spanish Florida, but his efforts to break free of Phaedra's will have surprising results. FREE Teaching Resources available for download from Follett.com

Precious Bones by Ashley-Hollinger, Mika — Yearling, c2012 p2013 -Fic-; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 5.4. In 1949 in the Florida Everglades, a ten-year-old girl called Bones, whose father is part Miccosukee Indian, tries to discover what really happened when he is accused of two murders and sent to jail.

The old fort at St. Augustine (Symbols Of Freedom) by Sipperley, Keli  — Rourke Educational Media, 2015. 975.9; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 5.9. Provides facts about Castillo de San Marcos National Monument at St. Augustine, Florida, and discusses its history and construction.

Pedro Menendez De Aviles by Roberts, Russell  — Mitchell Lane Publishers, 2003--975.9; Int Lvl: 5-8; Rd Lvl: 5.9 A biography of the Spanish sailor and explorer who established a colony at St. Augustine and claimed former French lands in Florida for Spain. 

The old fort at St. Augustine (Symbols Of Freedom) by Sipperley, Keli  — Rourke Educational Media, 2015. 975.9; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 5.9. Provides facts about Castillo de San Marcos National Monument at St. Augustine, Florida, and discusses its history and construction.

The settling of St. Augustine (Landmark Events In American History) by Riehecky, Janet — World Almanac Library, 2003. 975.9; Int Lvl: 5-8; Rd Lvl: 7.1. Traces the history of St. Augustine, Florida, from its founding and development as a Spanish colony and military outpost in 1565 through the early eighteenth century, and discusses the impact of European colonization on the native Timucuan Indians.

America's real first Thanksgiving : St. Augustine, Florida, September 8, 1565 by Gioia, Robyn eBook — Pineapple Press, 2007--975.9; Int Lvl: 5-8; Rd Lvl: 7.5 The world in 1565 -- Uncharted lands -- Spain in the 1560s -- Florida in the 1560s -- The Timucua, St. Augustine's Native Americans -- The founding of St. Augustine, 1565 -- Day of thanksgiving -- St. Augustine today -- Cocido Recipe. Provides an account of America's first real Thanksgiving, celebrated by the Spanish and the native Timucua in St. Augustine, Florida, in 1565 with a feast that may have included a pork stew, wild turkey, corn, and beans.