Civil Rights Movements

Unsung Heroes: Encouraging Students to Appreciate Those Who Fought for Social Justice

Teaching Activity PDF. Essay by Howard Zinn and lesson by Bill Bigelow. 11 pages.
Students research and share stories about unsung heroes in US history.

Civil Rights Movements, Individuals in US History, Wars & Related Anti-War Movements, Women's History

Seneca Falls, 1848: Women Organize for Equality

Teaching Activity PDF. By Bill Bigelow. 17 pages.
A role play allows students to examine issues of race and class when exploring both the accomplishments and limitations of the Seneca Falls Convention.

Civil Rights Movements, Democracy & Citizenship, Laws & Citizen Rights, Women's History

The Politics of Children’s Literature: What’s Wrong with the Rosa Parks Myth

Background Reading for Teachers and High School Students - PDF. By Herbert Kohl. 6 pages.
A critical analysis of children’s books about Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

African American, Civil Rights Movements, Education, Individuals in US History

Warriors Don’t Cry: Connecting History, Literature, and Our Lives

Teaching Activity PDF. By Linda Christensen. 21 pages.

African American, Civil Rights Movements, Education, Individuals in US History, Racism & Racial Identity

“A School Year Like No Other”: Eyes on the Prize: “Fighting Back: 1957-1962″

Teaching Activity PDF. By Bill Bigelow. 7 pages.
A companion lesson to the Eyes on the Prize segment on school integration.

African American, Civil Rights Movements, Education, Individuals in US History, Laws & Citizen Rights, Racism & Racial Identity

School Days: Hail, Hail, Rock ‘n’ Roll!

Teaching Activity PDF. By Rick Mitchell. 10 pages.
Description of a course on the history of music in the U.S.

Art & Music, Civil Rights Movements, Racism & Racial Identity

Pump Up the Blowouts

Teaching Activity PDF. By Gilda L. Ochoa. 5 pages.
Reflections on teaching students about the 1968 walkouts by Chicano students in California.

Civil Rights Movements, Education, Latino, Racism & Racial Identity

Lessons in Solidarity: Grady Hospital Workers United

Teaching Activity PDF. By Larry Miller. 6 pages.
Story and discussion questions about a teacher’s own experience of labor solidarity.

African American, Civil Rights Movements, Labor

“We Had Set Ourselves Free”: Lessons on the Civil Rights Movement

Teaching Activity PDF. By Doug Sherman. 4 pages.
The author describes how he uses biographies and film to introduce students to the role of people involved in the Civil Rights Movement beyond the familiar heroes. He emphasizes the role and experiences of young people in the Movement.

African American, Civil Rights Movements, Individuals in US History, Racism & Racial Identity

A Revolution of Values

Teaching Activity PDF. By the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 3 pages.
Text of speech by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on the Vietnam War, followed by three teaching ideas.

Civil Rights Movements, Imperialism, Individuals in US History, US Foreign Policy, Wars & Related Anti-War Movements