The Civil Rights Movement for Kids: A History with 21 Activities (15) (For Kids series) - Softcover

Turck, Mary C.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 155652370X ISBN 13: 9781556523700

Publisher: Chicago Review Press, 2000

Synopsis

Surprisingly, kids were some of the key instigators in the Civil Rights Movement, like Barbara Johns, who held a rally in her elementary school gym that eventually led to the Brown vs. Board of Education Supreme Court school desegregation decision, and six-year-old Ruby Bridges, who was the first black student to desegregate elementary schools in New Orleans. In The Civil Rights Movement for Kids, children will discover how students and religious leaders worked together to demand the protection of civil rights for black Americans. They will relive the fear and uncertainty of Freedom Summer and learn how northern white college students helped bring national attention to atrocities committed in the name of segregation, and they’ll be inspired by the speeches of Martin Luther King, Jr., Medgar Evers, and Malcolm X. Activities include: reenacting a lunch counter sit-in; organizing a workshop on nonviolence; holding a freedom film festival followed by a discussion; and organizing a choral group to sing the songs that motivated the foot soldiers in this war for rights.

About this title

About the Author

Mary C. Turck is the author of Haiti: Land of Inequality and Freedom Song and is the coauthor of Guatemala: Land of the Maya.

Reviews

Grade 4-8-A comprehensive history and guide to one of the defining movements of the 20th century. Beginning with the early days of segregation and ending with civil rights today, readers discover not only the work and speeches of the notable leaders, but also how children participated in the struggle. A balanced discussion notes tactical differences between the different groups and their actions. The text is tightly written with a strong voice that rings out in its recounting of past injustices. The ultimate message is that while the movement witnessed extraordinary accomplishments in the past 50 years, new challenges await young people of the new century; knowledge of the past is the foundation of future action. Activities include reenacting a lunch-counter sit-in, organizing a workshop on nonviolence, and holding a freedom film festival. The entire Voting Rights Act of 1965 and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 are appended. Black-and-white photos from newspapers, magazines, and the National Archives and a few drawings enhance the text. Although independent students will find a wealth of information here, this enormous effort begs for sensitive, knowledgeable adults to use it as a tool in guiding young people in the study of human rights for all.
Pamela K. Bomboy, Chesterfield County Public Schools, VA
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Chicago Review Press
• Publication date: 2000
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 155652370X
• ISBN 13: 9781556523700
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 208