Primary History Labs Template: Grade 2

Name: ______Date: ______Essential Question: Why did Jaime Escalante, a Hispanic educator, receive many honors?

Primary and/or Secondary Sources / Main Idea and Details / How does this source answer the essential question?
Source 1:
Source 2:

Source 1 Jaime Escalante

On December 31, 1930, in the South American country of Bolivia, Jaime Escalante, was born. He was the son of schoolteachers. After growing up, Jaime also became a teacher in his native country. In 1964, he began teaching again after moving to the United States and going to college. He taught in a school in Los Angeles, California.

Jaime was a mathematics teacher in a high school. That school had students who were fighting and using drugs. Jaime Escalante showed students to believe that they could learn just like the students who did well in school. One year, his students took a very difficult and important mathematics test. They did very well on that test. Some people believed that his students had cheated. By taking that test again, his students proved that they knew the mathematics.

The outstanding test scores brought attention to his work and Jaime Escalante became a national hero. He was given awards for being an excellent educator. In 1988, a popular movie called Stand and Deliver was made. The movie told the story of how Jaime Escalante worked hard to inspire his students to be successful. Today, he is remembered as a special mathematics teacher.

Source 2 Educator Jaime Escalante Being Honored in Postage Stamp

Jaime Escalante, a Hispanic educator, received many honors for being an excellent mathematics teacher. He earned different awards and even a movie about his work was made. Jaime Escalante was given a special honor that only a few people receive. In 2016, the United States Postal Service created a postage stamp with Mr. Escante’s picture. What did he do to have this honor?

Jaime Escalante worked very hard to help his students learn calculus, a type of math. Some students had problems and did not do well in school. Jaime helped to change this through his good teaching. He gave students hard work. The students learned that if they studied they could do challenging math problems. Jaime Escalante’s students passed a difficult mathematics test. Some people believe that his students had cheated. The students took that calculus test again and passed it.

Students learned to be successful because of this special teacher. He showed students to never give up. Even after he left the school, people remembered his work. Later on, a committee, or group of people working together, decided to honor him by having a stamp with his picture. He made a difference in the life of his students. That is why many people today know about Jaime Escalante.

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