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Civil Rights Mini Course-Teaching about Unsung Heroes

This lesson was adapted from a lesson from Rethinking Our Classrooms: Teaching for Equity and Justice, Volume 2.
http://www.rethinkingschools.org/archive/15_01/Hero151.shtml

Part I:
In class each student will receive one index card with a brief description of an "unsung hero" from the Abolitionist Movement through the post Civil Rights Era. Spend a few minutes acquainting yourself with your unsung hero.

Each student will also receive a handout with the following questions:
1. Find one person who stood up against slavery.
2. Find one person who resisted the unequal treatment of women and African Americans.
3. Find one person who used non-violent civil disobedience as a form of resistance.
4. Find one person who was willing to use force if necessary to achieve the goals of their cause.
5. Find one person who thought the best method of bringing about change was to change laws.
6. Find one person who thought the most effective way of bringing about change was to organize people at the grassroots level.
7. Find one female civil rights activist.
8. Find one person who fought to expand voting rights.
9. Find one person who played a pivotal role in the Brown v. Board of Education decision.
10. Find one person who has held important leadership positions in civil rights organizations.

Once you have located all of these people and your handout is completely filled out, return to your desk.

We will conclude with a brief discussion of the activity and all of the individuals we learned about.

Part II:
As a class, we will select 5-6 individuals we will learn more about. These individuals will be the subjects of our culminating activity project.

 Unsung Heroes:
Elaine Brown, Constance Baker Motley, Marcus Garvey, Malcolm X, Maxine Waters, Rosa Parks, Eleanor Roosevelt, Ida b. Wells, Melba Patilla Beals, Thurgood Marshall, Howard Zinn, Henry David Thoreau, William Lloyd Garrison, John Lewis, Fannie Lou Hamer, Bernice Reagon, Angela Davis, Frederick Douglass, Kenneth Clark, Sojourner Truth, Archibald Cox, Charles Sherrod
More Unsung Heroes:
http://www.rethinkingschools.org/archive/15_01/role151.shtml
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Comments

L McBaker4 said…
Unsung Heroes
Part I

1. George Washington
2. Sojourner Truth
3. Rosa Parks
4. Malcolm X
5. Thurgood Marshall
6. Charles Sherrod
7. Betty Friedan
8. Martin Luther King Jr
9. Fannie Lou
10. William Lloyd Garrison

Part II

1. William Lloyd Garrison
2. He was famous for going against anti slavery
3. William joined the abolition movement and became associated with the American Colonization movement
4. I wanted to learn about someone I haven’t seen or heard about before
5. I like to be heard! And knowing that I will be
July 9, 2008 at 10:48 AM
Social Studies Toolbox said…
Good job...I know you spent a lot of time researching these "unsung heroes." You have satisfied another project requirement. (If you keep up this pace, you will most certainly finish early!)

Did you look up The Black Panther Party? Just curious.
July 9, 2008 at 10:53 AM
Stadele U.S. said…
1. Martin Luther king Jr.
2. Sojourner Truth
3. Rosa Parks
4. Malcolm X
5. George Washington
6. Charles Sherrod
7. Betty Friedan
8. Thurgood Marshal
9. Howard Zinn
10. William Lloyd Garrison

Part 2

1. Howard Zinn
2. For being a author
3. He tried to have people change the law
4. Ive never heard of him
5. We were both born in August!
July 10, 2008 at 10:08 AM
Stadele U.S. said…
The Black Panther Party(originaly called the Black Panther Party for self-defence) was an African American orginazation established to promote civil rights and self defence.
July 10, 2008 at 10:12 AM
do ya yant said…
This comment has been removed by the author.
July 10, 2008 at 11:39 AM
do ya yant said…
This comment has been removed by the author.
July 10, 2008 at 11:42 AM
do ya yant said…
Part I

1.Martin Luther King Jr.
2.Rosa Parks
3.Malcom X
4.Frederick Douglas
5.Elizabeth Gurley Flynn
6.Black Panther Party
7.Susan B Anthony
8.Jackie Robinson
9.Jeannette Rankin
10.Marcus Garvey

Part II

1.William Lloyd Garrison
2.For being an author
3.He tried to change the laws
4.I had never heard of him before
5.We were both born in August
July 10, 2008 at 11:42 AM
Unknown said…
Nicely developed blog! Makes for an intriguing read, and a catchy title to capture wondering Social Studies devotees! Go room 167!!!
September 9, 2008 at 9:56 AM
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