In groups, you will “interview” one of these women about a significant event 

in their lives. Two groups will be interviewing Angela James, and two groups 

will be asking questions of Viola Davis. 

In your group, one of you will take on the role of Viola Davis. The rest of your 

group will be the news broadcasters, asking you questions about your story 

and about your feelings, thoughts, etc. As Viola, you have to answer the 

questions as best as you can. Or your group might be given Angela James. 

One of you will take on the role of Angela James, while the rest of your group 

will be the news broadcasters, asking you questions about your story and 

about your feelings, thoughts, etc. 

For this role play, all of you must be in character, not just Viola and Angela. 

You’ll want each interviewer to have a “microphone”—you can make this 

prop. In your groups, you will develop the questions you want to ask the 

women, and you can think about the answers Viola or Angela would give. 

Facilitation Note: You might want to show a clip or two from the local news 

of someone being interviewed.

Teacher Talk: As the interviewers, you’ll also want to give a wrap-up 

statement and thank viewers for watching your report. So you’ll be writing 

out the questions and answers, then you’ll get some time to practise, and 

finally you’ll present to the class.

Facilitation Note: Students will need guidance in creating questions. On 

chart paper, record some questions that the class generates together. You 

should also guide the students to ask questions about the impact on other 

Canadians because of what Angela and Viola did or went through.

Possible questions: What happened? Where and when did this happen? 

How did you feel? Why did this happen (why do you think it happened)? 

What did others around you think? Did you realize what you did would impact 

others in Canada and that you inspired many others?

Put students into four groups, assigning two groups to interview Angela 

James and two groups Viola Davis. Each group will decide what moment 

they want to report on for each woman. (Each group may decide to role-play 

the same event; you can decide if you’d like to guide them to choose another 

moment.)

Lesson Note: Provide time and space for learners to practise their role-

playing. It may take additional time than allocated in these lessons for learners 

to write out their “news report” questions, and to practise and present their 

work.

Facilitation Note: Once students have completed their summative task, 

provide the space and time for them to present their work in front of the class.

Black Canadian Curriculum – Primary – ETFO – 2014