The Story of Ruby Bridges

Ruby Bridges  is one of those people who have an incredible story to share. She was an instrumental player in the Civil Rights Movement at the age of six just by showing up to school. Ruby Bridges was one of the African Americans who helped to integrate the school system by attending a previously segregated school.

For students, the story of her life can be full of lessons. Ruby was born on September 8, 1954 in Tylertown, Mississippi.  The family later moved to New Orleans. In 1960, Ruby took a test to qualify for entrance into the first grade. Of the six who took the test, she was the only one chosen to attend the all white school William Franz Elementary. 

Her first official day at William Franz Elementary was November 14, 1960. It was anything but easy. Ruby endured the painful onslaught of hate as she was escorted into the school by federal marshals. She had deal with rows of people yelling insults, and displaying horrible images. Norman Rockwell illustrated the scene with the picture, “Problem We All Live With."  It is a haunting tableau of a little girl in white between tall faceless guards. 

Angry and fearful parents yanked their children from the school Ruby attended. Even though Ruby was faced with intense bigotry on a daily basis, she survived and overcame. There were also people who supported and helped to guide her.  Her teacher, Barbara Henry, was very loving and attentive.  A child psychologist, Dr. Robert Coles, was also pivotal in helping Ruby through this difficult time. He wrote a book called "The Story of Ruby Bridges."

Ruby’s life can be a great way to talk about the work of the National Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) during this time period.  Ruby’s parents, along with other families, responded to a call by the agency to take a test for entrance into previously segregated schools. Ruby Bridges stayed in New Orleans throughout her adulthood.  She created the Ruby Bridges’ Foundation in 1999 to promote racial tolerance. Mrs. Bridges’ vision for her daughter came to fruition, and proved that the human condition will rise above the face of adversity. What follows are lesson plans about Ruby Bridges.

The Story of Ruby Bridges:

Teaching Empathy:  The Story of Ruby Bridges

This lesson integrates the true story of the unintentional Civil Rights activist with key morality concepts. Courage and empathy are discussed and applied to real life scenarios.  It is laid out over a two week period, but could be condensed.

The Problem We Still Live With

In this lesson students use a picture painted by Norman Rockwell to elicit understanding of the magnitude of what Ruby faced on her first day of school. By analyzing the painting, children will combine those observations with key historical facts.

Civil Rights Movement

This lesson investigates ethnic conflict during the 1950’s and 1960’s. It examines the Jim Crow Laws and segregation, which are two of the contributing factors leading to the birth of the Civil Rights Movement.

School Integration in Boston and Nantucket

This lesson is designed for high school students. It follows the timeline of the desegregation of schools. There are several discussion questions which can help generate a discussion of why it occurred, who was opposed, and the eventual result.