Civil Rights Movement: A 5 th grade integrated unit

INTRODUCTION 5 th grade Integrated with language arts, fine arts, science, and math Addresses multicultural struggle for equal rights Past and present issues in society

Essential Questions What rights should we be entitled to? What does discrimination look like? Makes a person or group embrace or fear another person or group different from themselves? What is the most effective way to overcome injustice?

STATE STANDARDS Inquiry Political Events & Leaders Key Individuals/Groups Interactions with Groups Rights & Responsibilities Political Traditions, Ideas & Practices

NCSS STANDARDS Culture Time, Continuity, & Change Individual Development & Identity Individuals, Groups, & Institutions Power, Authority, & Governance Civic Ideals & Practices

ACTIVITIES

TUNING IN Activity: Mr. Lincoln’s Way by Patricia Polacco/Creating Birds Literacy Link: Fiction Text Read Aloud Targeted Skill: Identifying/recognizing differences as strengths Instructional Strategy: Read-aloud with art connection

PREPARING TO FIND OUT Activity: Preparing Interviews Literacy Link: Writing Interview Questions Targeted Skills: Critical Thinking Instructional Strategy: Collaborative Writing

FINDING OUT Activity: Interviewing Literacy Link: Journal Writing Targeted Skills: Asking relevant questions Instructional Strategy: Interviewing

SORTING OUT Activity: Interviewee Biographies Literacy Link: Essay Writing Targeted Skills: Identifying multiple perspectives Instructional Strategy: Narrative writing

GOING FURTHER Activity: Learning Centers Literacy Links: Books, videos, music Targeted Skills: Identifying multiple perspectives Instructional Strategies: Scavenger hunt

MAKING CONNECTIONS Activity: Persuasive Essay/Debate Literacy Link: Persuasive Writing Targeted Skills: Identifying supporting evidence Instructional Strategy: Essay writing/public speaking

TAKING ACTION Activity: Civil Rights Plan & Rally Literacy Link: Writing a Plan for Equal Rights Targeted Skills: Comparing alternatives Instructional Strategy: Dramatic oral presentation

CUMULATIVE ASSESSMENT Tic-Tac-Toe Game To what extent was the Civil Rights Movement successful? Two different activities (student choice) Activities integrate with at least one other subject Multiple Intelligences

Enduring Understandings A variety of economic, political, social, and ideological factors came together to cause the CRM in the US. CRM created new opportunities for some Americans, including some individuals and groups who historically had little freedom and opportunity, but was not necessarily embraced by all.

Enduring Understandings, cont. CRM gave birth to new ways of life and thinking about what it means to be an American. While some see the history of CRM as a history of brave and outspoken individuals working for equal rights, others view it as the collective efforts of ordinary individuals. Today we continue to grapple with the legacy of the CRM, discrimination, and equal opportunities for all Americans.

BIBLIOGRAPHY Teacher Resources Fiction Books Non-Fiction Books Magazines Poetry Books Biographies