African American Studies

Experiences of the Civil Rights Movement: A roundtable project

This activity allows students to participate in a roundtable discussion by taking on the persona of someone who lived and experienced the Civil Rights Movement. By participating in a role playing simulation, students are more able to achieve higher-level thinking skills and, as a result, hopefully be able to think more critically about the Civil Rights Era.

Format: lesson plan (grade 11–12 Social Studies)

By Kathleen Caldwell.

De facto vs. de jure segregation

This lesson for grades 11 and 12 will help students understand the difference between de facto and de jure segregation. Students will listen to three oral history excerpts and discuss the experiences of segregation described in each. As a follow-up activity, students will brainstorm solutions to both de facto and de jure segregation.

Format: lesson plan (grade 11–12 Social Studies)

By Dayna Durbin Gleaves.

Resources on the web

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Students learn that Civil Rights legislation (developed thanks, in part, to Martin Luther King Jr.) actually occurred after the beginnings of the development of the black middle class and did not precede it. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 11–12 Social Studies)

Provided by: National Council on Economic Education