Lesson Plan
Math Heroes Lesson Plan
Students will strengthen addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division skills by solving biography-based word problems about five civil rights and scientific leaders. They will deepen historical understanding by connecting computations to the lives of Ruby Bridges, Benjamin Banneker, Maya Angelou, George Washington Carver, and Martin Luther King Jr.
Linking math to real-world histories increases engagement and meaning. This lesson builds computational fluency while honoring inspiring figures, fostering both academic growth and historical awareness.
Audience
4th Grade Students
Time
60 minutes
Approach
Problem-solving through history-themed word problems
Materials
Ruby Bridges Word Problems, Benjamin Banneker Word Problems, Maya Angelou Word Problems, George Washington Carver Word Problems, Martin Luther King Jr. Word Problems, Math Heroes Fact Cards, Math Heroes Answer Key, Student Independent Practice Worksheet, Whiteboard and markers, and Pencils and paper
Prep
Prepare Materials
10 minutes
- Print one copy of each digital problem set: Ruby Bridges Word Problems, Benjamin Banneker Word Problems, Maya Angelou Word Problems, George Washington Carver Word Problems, and Martin Luther King Jr. Word Problems.
- Print and arrange Math Heroes Fact Cards for display or handout.
- Make copies of the Student Independent Practice Worksheet and Math Heroes Answer Key.
- Review all problems and answers to ensure familiarity before class.
Step 1
Introduction
10 minutes
- Display the Math Heroes Fact Cards for each historical figure.
- Briefly introduce each hero and highlight one key biographical fact.
- Explain the lesson objective: solving math word problems connected to each hero’s life.
Step 2
Group Problem Solving with Rotation
30 minutes
- Divide students into five groups and assign each group one problem set: Ruby Bridges Word Problems, Benjamin Banneker Word Problems, Maya Angelou Word Problems, George Washington Carver Word Problems, or Martin Luther King Jr. Word Problems.
- Groups work together to solve all five problems, using whiteboard space or paper.
- After 15 minutes, groups rotate clockwise to the next problem set and continue solving.
- Encourage collaboration and use of correct operations for each problem.
- Circulate and assist, using the Math Heroes Answer Key to guide feedback.
Step 3
Independent Practice
15 minutes
- Distribute the Student Independent Practice Worksheet.
- Students select one problem from each hero’s set to solve on their own.
- Remind them to show all work and check answers against the Math Heroes Answer Key.
- Teacher circulates to provide support and confirm understanding.
Step 4
Reflection & Assessment
5 minutes
- Invite volunteers to share a problem they solved and explain their strategy.
- Discuss any challenging operations or interesting historical facts learned.
- Collect independent worksheets for formative assessment of computation accuracy and problem-solving skills.
- Reinforce the connection between math practice and learning from history.
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Slide Deck
Math Heroes in Action
4th Grade • 60 Minutes
Solving Word Problems Inspired by History
Welcome students and introduce the slide deck. Mention that today they’ll become math detectives solving word problems inspired by famous historical figures.
Lesson Objectives
• Strengthen addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division skills
• Solve word problems about five inspiring figures
• Connect math practice to real-world history
Read objectives aloud. Emphasize both math skills and historical connections.
Meet the Math Heroes
Our five heroes:
- Ruby Bridges
- Benjamin Banneker
- Maya Angelou
- George Washington Carver
- Martin Luther King Jr.
(See Math Heroes Fact Cards for key facts.)
Briefly introduce each hero. Hold up or display the fact cards as you name them.
Word Problem Sets
Explain that each group will tackle one set of 5 problems per hero.
Group Rotation Activity
- Form 5 groups; each starts at one hero’s problems.
- Solve all 5 problems in 15 minutes.
- Rotate clockwise to the next set.
- Use whiteboards or paper and show all work.
- Teacher will check answers with the Math Heroes Answer Key.
Walk through each step. Remind students to show all work.
Ruby Bridges Word Problems
- Ruby walked 2 miles/day for 5 days. Total miles?
- She had 7 classmates; 3 moved away. How many remain?
- She carried 4 books at 250 g each. Total weight?
- She read 15 pages daily and finished in 3 days. Pages read?
- Cafeteria had 8 tables of 6 chairs. How many chairs?
Guide students through reading each problem. Clarify any vocabulary.
Benjamin Banneker Word Problems
- His clock ran 40 h/week for 4 weeks. Total hours?
- He published 3 almanacs of 52 pages each. Total pages?
- Surveyed 240 acres in 10 days. Acres/day?
- Wrote 2 letters/month for 6 months. Total letters?
- Sold 150 copies at $1 each. Total revenue?
Encourage use of division and multiplication strategies.
Maya Angelou Word Problems
- Born in 1928. How old in 2020?
- Wrote 7 books by 1980, then 3 more. Total books?
- Performed for 50 000 people in groups of 500. Number of groups?
- Taught 5 classes/day for 4 days. Total classes?
- Read 48 pages/week; book is 288 pages. Weeks to finish?
Highlight subtraction, division, and multiplication.
George Washington Carver Word Problems
- Born in 1864. How old in 1906?
- Developed 50 peanut uses over 10 years. Uses/year?
- Planted 8 acres at 60 lb/acre. Total pounds?
- Traveled 1000 miles for 25 lectures. Miles/lecture?
- Tested 120 soil samples in 6 months. Samples/month?
Connect each fact back to Carver’s research.
Martin Luther King Jr. Word Problems
- Born in 1929. How old in 1963?
- 250 000 marchers in groups of 50 000. Groups?
- Gave 4 speeches/week for 2 weeks. Total speeches?
- Visited 15 cities at 3 days each. Total days?
- Wrote 200 letters in piles of 25. Number of piles?
Emphasize historical context of civil rights movement.
Independent Practice
• Choose one problem from each hero’s set
• Solve on your own and show all work
• Check answers with Math Heroes Answer Key
Explain that this worksheet is for individual demonstration of skills.
Reflection & Discussion
• Which problem was most challenging and why?
• What strategy did you use?
• Share one new fact you learned about a hero.
Prompt students to discuss strategies and any difficulties.
Great Work, Math Heroes!
You’ve combined math and history beautifully today.
Any final questions or thoughts?
Thank students and invite any final questions.
Reading
Math Heroes Fact Cards
Ruby Bridges
Ruby Bridges was six years old when she bravely integrated an all-white elementary school in New Orleans in 1960, helping to challenge segregation and inspire a generation.
- Born September 8, 1954, in Tylertown, Mississippi.
- Walked to school daily under U.S. Marshals’ protection.
- Served as the only student in her classroom during the first year of integration.
Benjamin Banneker
Benjamin Banneker was a self-taught African American astronomer, mathematician, and almanac author who made significant contributions to early American science and surveying.
- Born November 9, 1731, in Maryland to free African American parents.
- Accurately predicted the solar eclipse of 1789.
- Published three almanacs (1792–1797) featuring weather forecasts and astronomical calculations.
Maya Angelou
Maya Angelou was an award-winning poet, memoirist, and civil rights activist whose powerful words and performances inspired millions around the world.
- Born April 4, 1928, in St. Louis, Missouri.
- Authored seven autobiographies, beginning with I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (1969).
- Worked alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as a coordinator for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.
George Washington Carver
George Washington Carver was an innovative agricultural scientist and inventor who developed hundreds of products from peanuts, sweet potatoes, and other crops to help Southern farmers.
- Born into slavery around 1864 in Diamond, Missouri.
- Created more than 300 products using peanuts, including dyes, plastics, and cosmetics.
- Promoted crop rotation and sustainable farming practices to enrich soil depleted by cotton.
Martin Luther King Jr.
Martin Luther King Jr. was a prominent leader of the American civil rights movement, renowned for his nonviolent protests and his iconic "I Have a Dream" speech.
- Born January 15, 1929, in Atlanta, Georgia.
- Led the 1963 March on Washington, which drew over 250,000 participants.
- Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 for his efforts to end racial segregation and inequality.
Worksheet
Student Independent Practice Worksheet
Solve the following one problem for each Math Hero. Show all your work in the space provided.
- Ruby Bridges
Ruby walked 2 miles each day for 5 days. How many miles did she walk in total?
- Benjamin Banneker
He published 3 almanacs of 52 pages each. How many pages did he publish altogether?
- Maya Angelou
Maya Angelou was born in 1928. How old was she in 2020?
- George Washington Carver
He planted crops on 8 acres of land, producing 60 pounds per acre. How many pounds did he harvest?
- Martin Luther King Jr.
He gave 4 speeches each week for 2 weeks. How many speeches did he deliver in total?
Answer Key
Math Heroes Answer Key
Ruby Bridges Word Problems
- Problem: Ruby walked 2 miles/day for 5 days. How many miles did she walk in total?Solution Process:Answer: 10 miles
- Identify operation: multiplication (equal groups).
- Compute: 2 miles/day × 5 days = 10 miles.
- Problem: She had 7 classmates; 3 moved away. How many remain?Solution Process:Answer: 4 classmates
- Identify operation: subtraction (taking away).
- Compute: 7 classmates – 3 moved away = 4 classmates remain.
- Problem: She carried 4 books at 250 g each. What was the total weight?Solution Process:Answer: 1000 grams
- Identify operation: multiplication (equal weights).
- Compute: 4 books × 250 g/book = 1000 g.
- Problem: She read 15 pages daily and finished in 3 days. How many pages did she read?Solution Process:Answer: 45 pages
- Identify operation: multiplication (pages per day).
- Compute: 15 pages/day × 3 days = 45 pages.
- Problem: The cafeteria had 8 tables of 6 chairs each. How many chairs in all?Solution Process:Answer: 48 chairs
- Identify operation: multiplication (tables × chairs/table).
- Compute: 8 tables × 6 chairs = 48 chairs.
Benjamin Banneker Word Problems
- Problem: His clock ran 40 h/week for 4 weeks. Total hours?Solution Process:Answer: 160 hours
- Identify operation: multiplication (hours per week).
- Compute: 40 h/week × 4 weeks = 160 hours.
- Problem: He published 3 almanacs of 52 pages each. Total pages?Solution Process:Answer: 156 pages
- Identify operation: multiplication (almanacs × pages).
- Compute: 3 × 52 = 156 pages.
- Problem: Surveyed 240 acres in 10 days. How many acres per day?Solution Process:Answer: 24 acres per day
- Identify operation: division (total ÷ days).
- Compute: 240 acres ÷ 10 days = 24 acres/day.
- Problem: Wrote 2 letters/month for 6 months. Total letters?Solution Process:Answer: 12 letters
- Identify operation: multiplication (letters per month).
- Compute: 2 × 6 = 12 letters.
- Problem: Sold 150 copies at $1 each. Total revenue?Solution Process:Answer: $150
- Identify operation: multiplication (copies × price).
- Compute: 150 × $1 = $150.
Maya Angelou Word Problems
- Problem: Born in 1928. How old was she in 2020?Solution Process:Answer: 92 years old
- Identify operation: subtraction (year difference).
- Compute: 2020 – 1928 = 92.
- Problem: Wrote 7 books by 1980, then wrote 3 more. Total books?Solution Process:Answer: 10 books
- Identify operation: addition (books before + after).
- Compute: 7 + 3 = 10 books.
- Problem: Performed for 50,000 people in groups of 500. How many groups?Solution Process:Answer: 100 groups
- Identify operation: division (total audience ÷ group size).
- Compute: 50,000 ÷ 500 = 100 groups.
- Problem: Taught 5 classes/day for 4 days. Total classes?Solution Process:Answer: 20 classes
- Identify operation: multiplication (classes per day).
- Compute: 5 × 4 = 20 classes.
- Problem: Read 48 pages/week; book is 288 pages. Weeks to finish?Solution Process:Answer: 6 weeks
- Identify operation: division (total pages ÷ pages per week).
- Compute: 288 ÷ 48 = 6 weeks.
George Washington Carver Word Problems
- Problem: Born in 1864. How old was he in 1906?Solution Process:Answer: 42 years old
- Identify operation: subtraction (year difference).
- Compute: 1906 – 1864 = 42.
- Problem: Developed 50 peanut uses over 10 years. Uses per year?Solution Process:Answer: 5 uses per year
- Identify operation: division (total uses ÷ years).
- Compute: 50 ÷ 10 = 5 uses/year.
- Problem: Planted 8 acres at 60 lb/acre. Total pounds?Solution Process:Answer: 480 pounds
- Identify operation: multiplication (acres × pounds/acre).
- Compute: 8 × 60 = 480 lb.
- Problem: Traveled 1000 miles for 25 lectures. Miles per lecture?Solution Process:Answer: 40 miles per lecture
- Identify operation: division (total miles ÷ lectures).
- Compute: 1000 ÷ 25 = 40 miles/lecture.
- Problem: Tested 120 soil samples in 6 months. Samples per month?Solution Process:Answer: 20 samples per month
- Identify operation: division (samples ÷ months).
- Compute: 120 ÷ 6 = 20 samples/month.
Martin Luther King Jr. Word Problems
- Problem: Born in 1929. How old was he in 1963?Solution Process:Answer: 34 years old
- Identify operation: subtraction (year difference).
- Compute: 1963 – 1929 = 34.
- Problem: 250,000 marchers in groups of 50,000. How many groups?Solution Process:Answer: 5 groups
- Identify operation: division (total marchers ÷ group size).
- Compute: 250,000 ÷ 50,000 = 5 groups.
- Problem: Gave 4 speeches/week for 2 weeks. Total speeches?Solution Process:Answer: 8 speeches
- Identify operation: multiplication (speeches per week).
- Compute: 4 × 2 = 8 speeches.
- Problem: Visited 15 cities at 3 days each. Total days?Solution Process:Answer: 45 days
- Identify operation: multiplication (cities × days/city).
- Compute: 15 × 3 = 45 days.
- Problem: Wrote 200 letters in piles of 25. Number of piles?Solution Process:Answer: 8 piles
- Identify operation: division (total letters ÷ letters/pile).
- Compute: 200 ÷ 25 = 8 piles.