Jackie Robinson and Civil Rights

Grade Levels: 6 - 8

Overview

Students think critically about the Civil Rights movement and its key players as they explore a biographical site about Jackie Robinson.

Objectives

• Students will use key vocabulary related to the Civil Rights Movement.
• Students will read critically to evaluate the contributions of one civil rights hero.
• Students will research and present information about another civil rights hero.

Materials

Jackie Robinson and Civil Rights Worksheet

Procedure

• Introduce key vocabulary:

  civil rights = the rights of personal liberty guaranteed to all U.S. citizens

  controversial = something that is likely to arouse different opinions and views

  integration = blending people of different groups or races into a society as equals

  meritorious = worthy of praise

  pessimistic = having a negative attitude

  racism = the belief that one race is superior to another

• Have students take notes on the Jackie Robinson and Civil Rights as they explore resources and websites on Jackie Robinson and the Civil Rights Movement.

Many people believe that Jackie Robinson's contributions to the Civil Rights Movement were more significant than those he made to baseball. Do you agree or disagree? Explain your point of view.

Think of other heroes of the Civil Rights Movement that you may like to research on the Internet or in reference books. Choose one person and find the significant facts about him/her.

• Have small groups of students brainstorm other heroes of the Civil Rights Movement and write their ideas on the activity worksheet. They should include key words next to each person's name.
• Invite each group to research one civil rights hero and present information to the class about him or her.
• Set a time for a class discussion of Jackie Robinson and other civil rights heroes.

Assessment

Use a Ten-Point System to evaluate students' ability to synthesize information and conduct additional research about civil rights heroes.

Jackie Robinson and Civil Rights Ten-Point System

Expected Behavior	Possible Points	Points Earned
The student actively explores the website, searching for information about Jackie Robinson's contributions to the Civil Rights Movement.	1
After exploring the site, the student expresses and supports opinions about Jackie Robinson's contributions.	2
The student lists other heroes of the Civil Rights Movement.	1
The student identifies appropriate keywords for conducting additional civil rights research.	1
The student participates in a discussion of Robinson and other civil rights heroes.	1
The student researches another civil rights hero.	2
The student presents information about the hero they researched.	2
TOTAL POINTS	10

Extensions

Encourage groups to role-play other events in the Civil Rights Movement and then discuss their impact on society.