How to Create a Civil Rights Lesson Plan

It's important that students realize the Civil Rights Movement was a combination of acts of protest, inspiring leaders and important legislation. The use of primary sources, audiovisual materials and photographs as well as dynamic activities can maintain student interest in the lesson plan.

Instructions

1. Set up the context for your students by talking about the limitations blacks faced in America until the mid '50s. Show them photos of signs promoting racial segregation during that time (see Resources for a link).

2. Start with the "Brown vs. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas" case. On May 17, 1954, the Supreme Court ruled that segregation in the schools was unconstitutional. It's important that students realize this set a precedent for protesting segregation elsewhere.

3. Teach the kids about Rosa Parks, the "Mother of the Civil Rights Movement." By refusing to give up her seat on a bus to a white passenger, she inspired the Montgomery bus boycott, which lasted until December 21, 1956.

4. Spend at least two lessons on the March on Washington. Play your class an audio segment of Martin Luther King's famous "I Have a Dream" speech. Pick a memorable quote from the speech and ask your students to interpret it in light of racism today.

5. Talk about the various Civil Rights Acts signed by President Johnson. Make your students understand that although the Civil Rights Movement brought about change in some areas of the country, it wasn't until these acts took effect that racism became illegal.

6. Explain why Martin Luther King won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. Share the audio file and text of the speech with your students. Have them debate the advantages and disadvantages of nonviolent protest.

7. Use original documents in your civil rights lesson plan to make history come to life. It's important your students learn to interpret such documents. The Library of Congress has activities that can help you teach kids about primary sources.