Have historians use primary sources to learn about the circumstances and implementation of the Montgomery Bus Boycott, and think about the issue of boycotts as a means of effecting social change. Wrap it up with a letter to the editor writing assignment.

Concepts

rosa parks, civil rights, the montgomery bus boycott, alabama, the civil rights movement

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Additional Tags

social studies

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Instructional Ideas

• Boycotting are in vogue now as a means of trying to bring about change - compare recent boycotts and their efficacy with the Montgomery Bus Boycott
• Find excerpts from the Supreme Court case that declared Montgomery bus segregation to be unconstitutional

Classroom Considerations

• Evaluate whether the engagement/motivation activity will be effective with your class

Pros

• Discussion questions deal with issues not commonly explored (e.g. how the boycott affected African American workers)
• Links the boycott with MLKJr's non-violent strategies
• The primary sources are concise, powerful, and relevant

Cons

• None

Common Core

RH.6-8.2 RH.6-8.7 RH.6-8.10