Much of the popular history of the Civil Rights Movement leads Americans to believe that African American freedom happened thanks to a few extremely well-known heroes like Martin Luther King, Jr., Rosa Parks, and Malcolm X. While these leaders certainly played their roles and committed acts of significant bravery, this lesson aims to expand the conversation beyond the heroes behind the lectern and train the eye of history instead on the thousands of everyday Americans who made sacrifices to be involved in the movement. Whether it was the March on Washington, the Birmingham Children’s Crusade, the Montgomery Bus Boycott, or even earlier marches for African American rights, these moments of collective bravery were pivotal in the United States eventually expanding freedom to encompass all African Americans.
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Much of the popular history of the Civil Rights Movement leads Americans to believe that African American freedom happened thanks to a few extremely well-known heroes like Martin Luther King, Jr., Rosa Parks, and Malcolm X. While these leaders certainly played their roles and committed acts of significant bravery, this lesson aims to expand the…
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For much of American history, the indigenous peoples of the United States faced immense challenges, from genocide to forced relocation to family separation. In the face of a mortal threat to their existence, however, indigenous people demonstrated incredible bravery. Tribal groups often formed alliances to push back against mistreatment and lobby for land, rights, and…
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Throughout American history, women have faced significant barriers in their fight for equality, from suffrage struggles to the ongoing quest for workplace and social rights. Despite these challenges, countless women have demonstrated extraordinary bravery, organizing protests, advocating for change, and breaking societal norms to demand their freedoms. Despite history’s focus on certain outstanding individuals like…
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This lesson helps second graders understand why their voice is important in the classroom by exploring The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson. Through reading and discussion, students reflect on how sharing their unique stories fosters connection and inclusion. They participate in a creative activity to express their individuality by drawing or writing about something…
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Words in poetry can make a difference in the world because they express powerful emotions, ideas, and experiences in a way that touches people’s hearts and minds. Through this approach, students will develop critical thinking and learn how people can continue to contribute to important causes in their schools, communities, and the world.
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This guided inquiry lesson teaches how art and music have historically been used to share important messages and inspire communities. Using primary sources, such as War Song Medley and Lyrics and the Liberty Arming the Patriot sculpture from the Library of Congress, students explore how these forms of expression evoke feelings and tell stories. Students…
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In this lesson, students learn to take informed action by preparing public comments to present to a state board of education. They begin by analyzing an example of an effective public comment to understand strategies for advocacy, then review their state’s social studies standards on the civil rights movement to identify inaccuracies, omissions, and biases…
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This lesson is another building block that seeks to address the practice of nonviolent demonstration, one of the often misunderstood aspects of the civil rights movement. By drawing the distinction between nonviolence as a tactic versus a way of life, students will be able to grasp the usefulness of nonviolence as a tactic and the…
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The lesson challenges the concept of a “Master Narrative” using Rosa Parks as a case study. Students will explore common misconceptions about Rosa Parks and reflect on how her story has traditionally been taught. They will dive deeper into her decades-long activism, moving beyond the idea of her being solely defined by a single day…
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The lesson uses the Teaching Hard History podcast to frame a fuller exploration of the civil rights movement. Students examine how surface-level approaches to this pivotal period can overlook essential lessons and lead to misperceptions. Reflecting on how they’ve been taught about the civil rights movement, students assess how these primary sources challenge elements of…