Informational Resources:

Author Information:

Chris Barton Biography:

https://www.chrisbarton.info/

Illustrator Information:

Ekua Holmes Biography:

http://www.ekuaholmes.com/about

Activities & Resources:

Activities:

Barbara Jordan:

Biography:

https://history.house.gov/People/Detail/16031

1976 Democratic National Convention Keynote Address (4:50):

https://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/barbarajordan1976dnc.html

Digital Archive:

http://www.tsu.edu/academics/library/pdf/governor-for-a-day-virtual-exhibit.pdf

Houston:

History of Houston:

https://kids.kiddle.co/Houston

Houston Facts and Figures:

https://www.houstontx.gov/abouthouston/houstonfacts.html

Speech:

Create your own speech on a topic you are passionate about. 9 Talks by Impressive Kids:

https://blog.ted.com/9-talks-by-impressive-kids/

Politics:

The Senate:

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Senate-United-States-government

Congress:

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Congress-of-the-United-States

Nixon and the Watergate Scandal:

https://www.americanhistoryforkids.com/nixon-watergate-scandal/

Multiple Sclerosis:

Fact for Kids:

https://www.nationalmssociety.org/NationalMSSociety/media/MSNationalFiles/Newsletters/Keep-Smyelin-Issue-3-MS-Symptoms.pdf

MakerSpace Activities:

Create your own picture book about a famous person you admire.

Record yourself giving a speech you have written.

Create a Barbara Jordan themed escape room using the facts and speeches of her life.

There are multiple statues depicting Barbara Jordan around Texas. Create your own using air dry clay.

Discussion Questions:

This book is written as a picture book. Why might the author have decided to use that form for this story? Do you think it worked? Why or why not?

What do you think of the illustrations in this book? How might you have illustrated it?

Barabara Jordan is from Houston, Texas. What do you know about Houston?

Barbara Jordan has a “big, bold. Booming, crisp, clear, confident voice.” Do you know anyone with a voice like that? What makes a voice stand out? How do you make your voice stand out?

Barbara used her voice in a number of ways. What ways does this book talk about? How might you use your own voice in the same ways?

Barbara took her first trip out of Texas to go to Chicago on a trip she won in an oratory contest. What trips out of Texas have you taken? What trips would you want to take? What contests have you won? What kind of contests would you like to enter?

Barabara spent Sunday evenings in her childhood talking to her grandpa. What weekly routines do you have?

Barbara contemplated what she wanted to be when she was older. She considered things like being a preacher, a teacher, or a lawyer. What do you want to be when you grow up? Why?

Barbara decided to run for a seat in Congress. How would you feel about pursuing a career in politics?

Barabara believed that politics could help change how free and fair America was. Do you believe that is true? Why or why not?

Barabara believed in justice and equality. What do you believe in and why?

Barbara ran for Senate three different times before she won. Do you think you would have had the courage to keep trying? Why or why not?

Barbara believed in the Constitution. What does the Constitution do for us as a country?

What happened to Barbara in 1972?

Barbara gave a speech to the entire nation regarding the Nixon scandal. What is the largest group you have talked in front of? What did you have to say?

Barbara enjoyed camping under the stars with her friends. What do you enjoy doing with your friends?

Barbara was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and decided to give up on politics and move home to Texas. Think of a time you had to give up on something to better yourself.

Barbara became an inspiring teacher to many. What have your teachers inspired you to do or be?

How did Barabara use her voice once she became a teacher?

The end of this book has a timeline of Barabara Jordan's life. What would be on your own timeline?

Book Talk Teasers:

Show the book trailer for What Do You Do With a Voice Like That? After viewing, ask for predictions for what will happen in the story.

Talk about famous speeches in History and listen to the”1976 Democratic National Convention Keynote Address” by Barbara Jordan. Read the book to find out more about Barbara Jordan.

Read Alikes:

Biographies:

Grimes, Nikki. Barack Obama: Son of Promise, Child of Hope. When David asks his mother about the man on television, she tells him the story of Barack Obama, discussing his childhood in Hawaii and Indonesia, his parents' divorce, and his desire to help others. (NoveList Plus)

Levy, Debbie. I Dissent: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Makes Her Mark. Traces the achievements of the celebrated Supreme Court justice through the lens of her many famous acts of civil disagreement against inequality, unfair treatment, and human rights injustice. (NoveList Plus)

Markel, Michelle. Hillary Rodham Clinton: Some Girls are Born to Lead. An introduction to the former first lady, senator, and secretary of state describes how she refuted period conventions against girls to become a lawyer and has supported important political and social causes to become a role model for women. (NoveList Plus)

Marx, Trish. Jeannette Rankin: First Lady of Congress. Presents a biography of the first woman elected to Congress. (NoveList Plus)

Nelson, Kadir. Nelson Mandela. Presents a biography of the former South African president best known for his political activism and fight to end apartheid. (NoveList Plus)