People Who Shaped America: Pennsylvania--August Wilson

People Who Shaped America: Pennsylvania--August Wilson
Magazine Cover

Introduce your students to the extraordinary life and literary legacy of August Wilson, the Pennsylvania playwright whose award-winning works transformed American theater. In this engaging, no-prep lesson, students research Wilson's life before designing a professional Magazine Cover that celebrates his achievements, influential plays, and lasting impact on American culture.

Perfect for upper elementary and middle school classrooms, this lesson combines historical research with journalism, graphic design, persuasive writing, and creative thinking while helping students understand how one writer gave voice to the experiences, hopes, and struggles of generations of Black Americans.

What's Included
- Teacher directions (1–2 class periods)
- Student Research & Magazine Planning worksheet
- Magazine Cover design worksheet
- Editor's Reflection worksheet
- Online research resource page
- Black-and-white versions of all student worksheets for economical printing

Students Will Learn About
- August Wilson's childhood in Pittsburgh's Hill District
- His journey as a self-taught writer
- The Pittsburgh Cycle (American Century Cycle)
- His most famous plays, including Fences and The Piano Lesson
- His Pulitzer Prize-winning achievements
- His influence on American theater and literature
- His lasting legacy as one of America's greatest playwrights

Perfect For
- U.S. History
- Pennsylvania History
- English Language Arts
- Theater & Drama
- American Literature
- Black History
- Project-Based Learning (PBL)
- Independent Research
- Small Group Activities
- Early Finishers
- Substitute Plans

Why Teachers Love It
- Ready to print and teach
- Encourages historical inquiry and evidence-based research
- Combines history, journalism, and creative design in one engaging project
- Develops research, writing, media literacy, and communication skills
- Encourages students to think like professional magazine editors
- Suitable for Grades 4–8
- Includes both color and black-and-white student pages

This resource is part of the People Who Shaped America – Pennsylvania series, helping students discover the remarkable individuals whose creativity, leadership, perseverance, and innovation shaped Pennsylvania and influenced the history and culture of the United States through engaging research and hands-on learning activities.