Babe Ruth (1895–1948) is considered one of the greatest baseball players in history. He changed the game by popularizing the mighty home run swing rather than just relying on small, tactical plays. Known as “The Sultan of Swat” and “The Great Bambino,” he hit 714 home runs during his career.

Spark your thinking!

1.  Set up your Social Studies Mini Spark Page: #20: Babe Ruth

2. Read about Babe Ruth at Britannica. Make a mini timeline on your recording page. Include 5 +  dates with details about those dates.

3. Listen to the the Babe and I, a picture book about a family’s experiences during the the great depression. Answer the questions below.

Choose 2 of these questions to answer in 2+ sentences.

What was the economic climate like in America during 1932, and how did it affect the main character’s family?

What unique business arrangement does the boy make with Mrs. Johnson, and why is it mutually beneficial?

How do the boys figure out which newspaper headlines sell the best, and what does this say about human nature?

How does Babe Ruth change the boys’ lives? What did the $5 bill represent to them beyond just money?

3.  David Adler,  the author of The Babe and I,  has written picture books about many famous humans. Look over the different books on this list. Record the names of 3 books that you would be interested in reading.

4. Share your social studies mini spark recording page with your teacher/EY coordinator.