Title: The Civil Rights Movement: Fighting for Equality

Objective: - To introduce fourth-grade students to the Civil Rights Movement and its significance in American history. - To help students understand the key events, leaders, and achievements of the movement. - To promote empathy, tolerance, and respect for diversity among students.

Materials: - Whiteboard or chart paper - Markers - Pictures or posters depicting key figures and events of the Civil Rights Movement - Handouts with short biographies of important civil rights leaders - Video clips or audio recordings of speeches from civil rights leaders (optional)

Lesson Plan:

Introduction (10 minutes): 1. Begin the lesson by asking students if they have ever heard of the Civil Rights Movement. Write down their responses on the whiteboard or chart paper. 2. Explain that the Civil Rights Movement was a time in American history when people fought for equal rights and fair treatment for all, regardless of their race or skin color. 3. Show pictures or posters depicting key figures and events of the Civil Rights Movement, such as Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr., the March on Washington, and the Montgomery Bus Boycott. 4. Ask students if they recognize any of the people or events shown and encourage them to share what they know.

Main Lesson (20 minutes): 1. Provide a brief overview of the Civil Rights Movement, highlighting its main goals and achievements. 2. Introduce key figures of the movement, such as Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr., and Ruby Bridges. Show pictures and share short biographies of these leaders. 3. Discuss the important events that took place during the movement, such as the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the March on Washington, and the Selma to Montgomery marches. 4. Explain the significance of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 in ensuring equal rights for all Americans. 5. Share stories of ordinary people who played a significant role in the movement, such as the Little Rock Nine or the Freedom Riders.

Activity (15 minutes): 1. Divide the students into small groups and provide each group with a handout containing a short biography of a civil rights leader. 2. In their groups, students should read and discuss the biography, highlighting the leader’s contributions to the movement. 3. Each group will then present their leader to the class, sharing key facts and achievements. 4. Encourage students to ask questions and engage in a discussion about the different leaders and their impact on the movement.

Conclusion (10 minutes): 1. Recap the main points discussed during the lesson, emphasizing the importance of the Civil Rights Movement in promoting equality and justice. 2. Ask students to reflect on what they have learned and share their thoughts on why it is important to treat everyone with respect and fairness. 3. Play video clips or audio recordings of speeches from civil rights leaders, such as Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech (optional). 4. Conclude the lesson by encouraging students to think about how they can contribute to creating a more inclusive and equal society.

Assessment: - Observe students’ participation and engagement during the lesson. - Evaluate the accuracy and depth of their group presentations on civil rights leaders. - Review their reflections and responses during the conclusion discussion.