Lesson Plan
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Music and Lyrics

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders analyze lyrics from songs from a variety of genres. In this musical analysis lesson, 8th graders write an essay about their life plans in which they discuss the lyrics of U2's song, "One." They tell how the writings of Dr....
Lesson Plan
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On the Other Side of the Color Barrier: Segregation and the Negro Leagues

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students study segregation that occurred in the past and that is currently occurring. In this equal rights activity, students use primary source documents to student segregation of the past. In a culminating activity, students find or...
Lesson Plan
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Rev. Joseph Lowery: What Makes a Civil Rights Leader?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine the attributes of civil rights leaders. In this Civil Rights Movement lesson, students design "body biographies" of selected civil rights leaders after they have conducted research and discussed the qualities of leaders.
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Riding with Rosa

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students examine a photo to experience history.  In this teaching tolerance lesson, students view a photograph of Mrs. Parks sitting on the bus and place their own picture by hers.  Students imagine that they were sitting on...
Lesson Plan
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We Have a Dream

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students work as partners to study Dr. Martin Luther King's 'I Have a Dream' speech. In this African American history lesson plan, students work with their cross-grade partner to study, understand, and memorize the speech. Students meet...
Lesson Plan
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Rosa Parks

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students identify the heroic actions of Rosa Parks. In this African-American lesson plan, students read the book, Rosa Parks: My Storyand create a timeline of the events from the biography.
Lesson Plan
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Courage to Be You: King Day (7th)

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students define discrimination and relate it to their own experiences. In this discrimination lesson plan, students discuss feeling like a stranger and complete a personal experiences worksheet. Students then find strategies to reduce or...
Lesson Plan
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I Have a Dream

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students use flip video cameras to film a speech about the 'I Have a Dream' speech. For this poetry and speech lesson, students listen to the speech from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Students memorize part of the speech.
Lesson Plan
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A Pivotal Moment in the Civil Rights Movement

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Young scholars examine the story of Emmett Till. In this Civil Rights Movement instructional activity, students investigate the impact of the Emmett Till lynching and trial. Young scholars write a thesis statement that explores the...
Lesson Plan
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Keep on Pushing: Popular Music and the Civil Rights Movement

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore music that exemplified the Civil Rights Movement. In this music and history lesson, students research 1960's protest songs, Motown recorded music, and rap of the 1990's to consider the power of music and its reflection...
Lesson Plan
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Perspectives on Civil Rights

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine speeches of the Civil Rights Era. In this American history lesson, students listen to speeches delivered by Martin Luther King, Jr. and John F. Kennedy. Students respond to guiding questions as they listen to the...
Lesson Plan
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Civil Rights Leaders; Past and Present

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars explore the concept of social justice. In this Civil Rights instructional activity, students fulfill the Rubric for Historical Research requirements as they conduct research on a Civil Rights or Anti-Apartheid Movements...
Lesson Plan
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Thoreau, Gandhi, and Martin Luther King, Jr.

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Learners explore the concept of non-violent resistance. In this political philosophies activity, students study the political tactics of Mohandas Gandhi, Henry David Thoreau, and Martin Luther King, Jr. in order to discover how each of...
Lesson Plan
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Rosa Parks

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore the life and works of Rosa Parks. In this Civil Rights lesson, students consider Rosa Parks' work as a philanthropist. Students then write a letter to someone that they admire for making a difference.
Lesson Plan
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I Have a Dream...

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Students explore the dream of Martin Luther King, Jr. In this civil rights instructional activity, students utilize their computer skill as they compose "I have a dream" statements.
Lesson Plan
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Music of the Civil Rights Era, 1954-1968

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Young scholars experience the aesthetics of music and learn about freedom songs that motivated the Civil Rights activists. For this music history lesson, students learn how music can motivate and move listeners. Young scholars then...
Lesson Plan
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Character Education: Perseverance

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Pupils analyze and define the word perseverance as it applies to Martin Luther King, Jr. For this Martin Luther King, Jr. lesson, students discuss the book 'I Have a Dream: The Story of Martin Luther King.' Pupils analyze the meaning of...
Lesson Plan
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The Power of Nonviolent Resistance

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students discuss the power of nonviolent resistance in terms of Dr. Martin Luther King and the boycotts that he led. In this nonviolent resistance lesson plan, students discuss their thoughts of nonviolent resistance and how they can use...
Worksheet
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Do the Research! Civil Rights Act Passed in U.S.

For Students 5th - 6th
In this research worksheet, students find information on the Internet about the Civil Rights Act passed in the United States. Using the information they have found, students answer four general short essay questions.
Lesson Plan
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Words Can Hurt: King Day

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore stereotyping. In this moral and character development lesson, students share reactions to a T-chart displaying what boys can do and girls can not do. Martin Luther King's accomplishments are discussed, and students...
Lesson Plan
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Learning to give: freedom songs

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students learn freedom songs and discuss how the famous leaders of the Civil Rights Movement used them to motivate people to overcome adversity during this time. In this freedom songs lesson, students learn the songs and discuss their...
Lesson Plan
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This is Rosa Parks

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students observe the difference that one person can make. In this Civil Rights Movement lesson, students discuss the concepts of segregation and boycotting. They compare and contrast two African American women who were pivotal to the...
Lesson Plan
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Bringing Us Together

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students explore how people work together to create a better world. In this working for the common good lesson, students recognize how we are all connected and illustrate ways they can give of themselves for the common good. They...
Lesson Plan
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Happy Birthday Martin Luther King

For Teachers 1st
First graders listen to the book Happy Birthday Martin Luther King and sing a song about him. In this reading lesson, 1st graders develop listening skills as they listen to the book. They also discuss their feelings about the laws that...