EngageNY
Language Analysis: “I Have a Dream”
Middle schoolers look closely at Martin Luther King Jr's "I Have a Dream" speech and use a language analysis sheet to determine if King's sentences use active or passive voice. They then move their attention back to A Mighty Long Way to...
EngageNY
Advantages and Disadvantages of Various Mediums: The Montgomery Bus Boycott Speech
Text, speech, phone call. Scholars discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using speech and written text to express ideas. They use an Analyzing Mediums graphic organizer to analyze speeches by Martin Luther King Jr. They then...
EngageNY
Close Reading: The Montgomery Bus Boycott Speech
How did Martin Luther King, Jr. sway people with his speeches? Scholars carry out a close reading of the Montgomery Bus Boycott speech and use the Close Reading Guide to help them work through the powerful text. While reading, they...
Curated OER
The Civil Rights Movement
Students explore the events of the Civil Rights Movement. In this research skills lesson, students research the important figures, events, and ideas of the American Civil Rights Movement as they visit suggested websites that feature...
Curated OER
Music of the Civil Rights Era, 1954-1968
Learners experience the aesthetics of music and learn about freedom songs that motivated the Civil Rights activists. In this music history lesson, students learn how music can motivate and move listeners. Learners then describe how...
Adult Fiction by Jewell Parker Rhodes
Ghost Boys: Educator Guide
The spirit of the Civil Rights Movement lives on in a more literal than figurative way in Ghost Boys. A focused lesson plan features Jewell Parker Rhodes' novel about ghosts of slain black teenagers, including the main character, Jerome,...
Literacy Design Collaborative
Exploring Character Development in The Watsons Go to Birmingham - 1963
How did the Civil Rights Movement affect young people in the United States? Scholars read Christopher Paul Curtis' novel, The Watsons go to Birmingham - 1963. Next, they write compare and contrast essays showing how the main characters...
National Endowment for the Humanities
"Sí, se puede!": Chávez, Huerta, and the UFW
"Sí, se puede!" Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta believed organizing farm workers and changing their working conditions were possible. Scholars examine provisions of the Bracero Program, videos, and the United Farm Workers' (UFW) work....
Curated OER
Philanthropy Framework
Students become community philanthropists. In this social studies lesson, students learn the definition of philanthropy and apply it to Martin Luther King, Jr. The next day, students complete 3 T-charts for 3 historical figures. Finally,...
Curated OER
Non-violent Protest Through The Ages
Learners are introduced to non-violent ways to solve disagreements with others. In groups, they analyze the ways Martin Luther King, Gandhi and Thoreau shared their views in non-violent ways. They complete a sketch of the life of each...
Advocates for Human Rights
Mock Immigration Court
As part of a unit study of immigration, class members participate in a mock Immigration Court activity in which they argue four cases before an immigration judge.
Curated OER
Technology: Historic Figures
Fifth graders research historical figures and create Powerpoint presentations about them. They present their completed projects to the class. Students gfenerate one question about their figure which is included on a quiz.
Curated OER
Caring and Self-Interest
Students write in their journal. In this philanthropy lesson, students review the definition of philanthropy and read a quote by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Students respond to the question "What are you doing for others?" in their journal.
EngageNY
Analyzing Language in a Speech: The Montgomery Bus Boycott Speech
Scholars analyze the use of active and passive voice in The Montgomery Bus Boycott speech and refer to an Active and Passive Sentences handout while viewing the text. Pairs of learners then work together to identify passive and active...
EngageNY
Analyzing a Speaker’s Purpose and Motives of a Media Excerpt
Middle schoolers listen to a media clip of a teacher-selected speech and analyze it for speaker's purpose using a Speaker’s Purpose graphic organizer. Pupils pair up to discuss their completed organizers and add any new information they...
Curated OER
Committing to Nonviolence: A Lesson from Viva La Causa
Students examine the social change movements of the American 20th century. In this nonviolence lesson, students research the work of Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Caesar Chavez. Students compare and contrast the social...
Curated OER
Perspectives on Civil Rights
Students examine speeches of the Civil Rights Era. In this American history lesson plan, students listen to speeches delivered by Martin Luther King, Jr. and John F. Kennedy. Students respond to guiding questions as they listen to the...
Curated OER
Nonviolence and Conflict: Its Importance to Building Community
Students study nonviolence and the values associated with nonviolence. In this social science lesson, students identify the six steps of nonviolence and the six principles of nonviolence as put forth by Martin Luther King, Jr. Students...
Curated OER
Social Activism In The United States
Learners explore justice issues. In this social activism lesson, students watch "Social Activism in the United States," and then locate newspaper articles from the 1960's and 1970's about events during the era.
Curated OER
Cesar Chavez Biographic Timeline
Students discuss Cesar Chavez. They watch as the teacher demonstrates making a KWL chart. Students make a chart, filling in their answers under the headings. Students watch a video about Cesar Chavez. The teacher demonstrates making a...
Curated OER
Documents and Symbols and American Freedom
Young scholars complete a unit of lessons on the documents, symbols, and famous people involved in the founding of the U.S. government. They create a personal bill of rights, write a found poem, design a flag, conduct research, and...
Curated OER
Roll Of Thunder, Hear My Cry
Learners read the novel "Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry". Using the text, they gather information on how and why the Civil Rights Movement began. They use excerpts from Martin Luther King Jr's speeches to discuss the issue of equality....
National Endowment for the Humanities
Who Were the Foremothers of the Women's Suffrage and Equality Movements?
Young scholars complete a unit of lessons on the women who contributed to the early Women's Rights Movement in the U.S. They conduct Internet research, examine images online, develop a list of women, complete a worksheet, and create a...