Freedom's Children: An Oral History Unit on the Civil Rights Movement

Lesson by Laurel R. Singleton

A lesson to help children understand the racism faced by African Americans during the Civil Rights Movement and recognize that young people can help bring about social change by reading and discussing the interviews in Freedom’s Children: Young Civil Rights Activists Tell Their Own Stories.

Freedom’s Children: Young Civil Rights Activists Tell Their Own Stories (Avon, 1994) by Ellen Levine provides powerful excerpts from interviews with 30 African Americans who were active as young people in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s. This lesson engages students in reading and discussing sections of Levine’s collection of oral histories.

Grade Level: 6-12

Time Required: One to two class periods

Objectives

At the conclusion of this lesson, students will be able to:

1. Describe the racism and prejudice faced by African Americans at the middle of the 20th century.

2. Recognize that individuals, including young people, can help bring about social change.

3. Explain reasons and personal qualities that led people to become involved in efforts for social change.

Materials and Preparation

You will need a selection of newspapers saved over several days or weeks before you begin teaching the unit; you may want to ask students and/or other teachers to help you collect papers. You will also need at least seven copies of the book Freedom’s Children and copies of the handout for all students

Procedure

1. Write the following statement on the chalkboard:

Young people can help make our world a better place to live.

Ask students whether they agree or disagree with this statement. Write the tally of their responses on the chalkboard. Ask one or two students on each side of the issue to explain the reasons for their position. [Download lesson to continue reading.]