Portfolio Activity for “Civil Rights Road Trip”

POSTCARDS FROM THE PAST
It’s important for students learning about civil rights history to put themselves in the shoes of those who were there. Have them commemorate their own civil rights road trip by writing postcards from the past. This activity helps students imagine being in another place and time by writing about a moment on the path to equality. 

CIVIL RIGHTS ROAD TRIP
Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, brave men, women and children fought in different ways for their civil rights and the rights of those who followed. By tracing in their footsteps, you may begin to think about how you can use your own voice to make positive changes that just may change the lives of those in your community–or perhaps the world–for generations to come.

Vocabulary

boycott [boi kot’]
(noun) to refuse to deal with

discrimination [dih-skrim-uh-ney-shuhn]
(noun) unfair treatment of a person or group based on prejudice

harmony [hahr-muh-nee]
(noun) agreement in action, opinion, feeling

integrate [in-ti-greyt]
(verb) to bring together into a whole

segregation [seg-ri-gey-shuhn]
(noun) separating or creating separate facilities

Discussion

1. A civil right is a right that is guaranteed to citizens by their country’s laws and constitution. What are some examples of your civil rights? Which rights do you most value? How would you feel if those rights were taken away?
2. How do you think Ruby Bridges and the Central High students felt as they stood up to powerful people in an attempt to peacefully claim their rights? 
3. How would you feel if you had to go to a separate school from other people your age, just because you were a different race or religion or had different beliefs?
4. In his famous March on Washington speech, Martin Luther King Jr. talked about his dreams for his children’s future. What are your dreams as they relate to equal rights for all?

Geography
Imagine that you have been invited to take a real civil rights road trip! Complete the activities or questions below to help you plan your trip!

1. You can bring one other person along with you on the road trip. Whom will you bring and why?
2. Your road trip will include five of the destinations on the map. You can choose any five! Write the names below of the places you will visit:

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

3. Once you have chosen your five destinations, find the locations on a real U.S. map. Which is closest to your hometown? Which is farthest? If possible, research the distance you would travel from your hometown to each one of the five destinations and back again.
4. What will you need to bring with you on the road trip? Think about the climate, the most appropriate clothing and what will help you best remember this special trip. List at least 10 items you will pack in your suitcase below:
5. Visit the websites of the five places you have chosen, to help you visualize what a real visit would be like. Then write a journal entry that describes your imaginary experience at one of the sites. 

Act It Out
With a few classmates, choose one of the civil rights stories outlined on the poster and write a one-page script that reflects the actions and feelings of those involved. You may want to do a little extra research about the event or people involved. It’s OK to take a little creative freedom and imagine what you think the people involved would have said and done! Act out your script for the class.