Social Studies/Sciences
Term 3 Unit 1 Black American History and Equality.
Learning
Lesson Sequence
Intention/Succe
ss Criteria
Introduction
This is a unit examining the social conflicts of the 20 Century, with a
particular focus being on the Black Civil Rights Movement. This is
important to look at because our students, due to the diverse nature
of globalisation, will encounter difference and should be able to relate
to the concept of equality and recognise inequality. Often, we are
guilty of assuming that a societal conflict such as women’s
discrimination is “solved” and was “solved” many years ago. It’s
important to stress that these conflicts were often only a few
generations ago- it’s incredible to think that only up till the 1960’s
black people in America did not have full legal equality. This unit,
ultimately was created for us all to be aware of the struggle minorities
face and to recognise how to bring about change.
Th
WALT: evaluate
what equality
means in the
21st Century
context
So what is EQUALITY?
Motivation:
Option 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bS7dGVqgk&safe=active We are the children... Where is the
equality ???
Option 2: Mrs President
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sn14_y2euzM
Option 3: Allentown performed by Billy Joel. About the constraints of
growing up in a steel working
town:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbWbrM2m8SQ
Option 4: Another Day In Paradise performed by Phil Collins. About
insensitivity of people towards the problem of poverty:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YiUQE5bJKFU
NEW The Madden Brothers - We Are Done
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PLWoNU5mwg&safe=active
Discussion:
 What does equality mean?
 Write down 2 examples of what you think equality means
 So what does it really mean..........in the broadest sense?
Definition: Its general meaning is that people should be treated as
equals on certain dimensions such as race, religion, ethnicity,
political affiliation, economic status, social status, and cultural
heritage
Looking closer at equality
Isn't it interesting when if we look at ourselves as a people, we are all
the same except we all look different.
My critical thinking question to you is "Do you think we are all equal?
Are people equal?
We are all equal

We are not all equal

The types of equality we will be investigating are:
Gender - Women's Liberation
Racial Equality - Black Civil Rights Movement
What other aspects of equality interest you?
WASW: can
identify what
equality means
in the 21st
Century
What is equality? examine the images .
https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B2leDVDln95ucVUxclFTMU
pCQms&usp=sharing
Device Option:
Make your own copy of the ‘Equality Images’ folder on drive. Share
each photo individually with your students and enable comments.
Students will view each image and comment either individually or in
peers/groups.
Paper Option (makes for a good wall display)
Print out your selection of images and post around the class on A3
paper.
Ask students to comment on each image and write down what
comes to mind. The idea of this task is to see what they know.
For students: Remember to keep the comments intellectual and
based on the definition of equality, remember you are intelligent
intermediate students.
LESSON 3
WALT:
Black Civil Rights
understand the
position blacks
hold in American
society in the
1950's
WASW: can
recognize that
black civilians
were a
disaffected
group
Let's take a look at what you know about African Americans.
Class discussion - what do we already know?
Let's take a look in the time warp of history, when looking at African
American history
Slavery of the blacks was one of the key reasons why the American
civil war occurred in 1860-1865.
President Abraham Lincoln supported the cause of the freeing of the
black slaves.
And this happened when the Anti-slavery Unionists won the Civil
War- freeing the slaves, making this guy a hero.
Critical thinking questions to talk about as a class:
So what effect did this victory have for black equality?
What changes to black Americans could happen after they were
freed from slavery?
Well...... because of the civil war victory; freeing the slaves there
were some legal freedoms granted to the blacks.
There were changes to the American constitution (kinda like our
Treaty of Waitangi) such as:
Constitutional Amendments and Major Civil Rights Acts of Congress
Referenced in Black Americans in Congress
http://history.house.gov/Exhibitions-and-Publications/BAIC/HistoricalData/Constitutional-Amendments-and-Legislation/
In summary:
ARTICLE XIII:
Slavery abolished
ARTICLE XIV:
No state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the
privileges or immunities of citizens of the USA
ARTICLE XV:
The right of citizens of the USA to vote shall not be denied or
abridged by the USA on account of race, colour
These legal changes all looked good, but really, equality for blacks
wasn't as easy as this
So what barriers were holding back equality for blacks?



Blacks weren't able to vote
The passage of state laws in the south discriminated against
blacks- these were known as Jim Crow laws
The rise of the K.K.K

LESSON 4
WASW: we can
research the
impact that one
of the following
had on African
Americans.
ACTIVITY:
To choose
choose one of
the 3 miniresearch
options.
Presentation
showing your
research and
opinions about
the topic. Due
when Mrs
Tolmie gets
back: Monday
Week 4
White supremacist group
Your task is to research one of the following and its impacts on the
blacks. Present in a creative way.
Jim Crow Laws (Listed here by state)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Jim_Crow_law_examples_by_Stat
e
Mini-research options/ Success Criteria:
1. Detail what the Jim Crow laws were give 4 examples of how the
laws affected black people.
Provide one cartoon that is commentating about the issue.
2. Discuss the Civil War and how this affected black people. Detail
how black people were involved in the War, and how slavery affected
them. Do a brief biography on Abraham Lincoln and his impact of his
leadership on the blacks.
3. The K.K.K; Detail what it means. What is the history of it? What did
they stand for? Why did people join? How did they impact on the
lives of black people?
Present to the class Monday Week 4.
LESSON 5
The Road to resistance
WALT: evaluate
the strategy of
the black civil
rights resistance
As we can see, black Americans were often classed as second class
citizens in America
WASW: can
understand the
strategy of the
black movement
Note:
NAACP
National
association for
the
advancement of
colored people.
Can you think of a similar experience, say in New Zealand?
Identify specific examples
Back ground - teaching points.
America in the early 20Th Century
America was still a divided country, where black people still faced
significant obstacles in their daily lives.
An event that led black people to come together as a group protest
was the Springfield Race Riot in 1908.
Take a look at this clip of the riot, why was this such a controversial
event?
Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odHvbbjRfbQ
ACTIVITY:
Write 5 facts
from the
watching the
clips.
And loads of
(if your teacher wants too, there are 5 clips to be shown)
Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U590KW-e-fc
Part 4: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tw567cRhKWE
Part 5: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SY5JF5jYOeA
Part 6: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OkobIRHhp8
discussion.
Take notes
Write down 5 facts from the clips
A direct consequence of the riots was that blacks began to try and
get change through legal challenges against the "white"
governments.
In 1909 the NAACP was formed "to ensure the political, educational,
social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate
racial hatred and racial discrimination
So we know that African Americans's we know pursuing change for
equality through legal means (ie challenging laws that discriminated
against blacks) was now the aim of the NAACP.
Discuss with your neighbour about the pro's and con's of protest
through legal means as opposed to violence.
Pro’s of Protest
Legal Protest
Violent Protest


Con’s of Protest
Legal Protest

Violent Protest

Can you relate this to the NZ context, such as the challenge to the
Treaty of Waitangi
Consider this photograph from 1916.
Consider how this would make you feel if you were a black person. If
you saw this everyday how would you feel?
Consider if you were white, if you grew up in this society would you
feel?
Would it shock you or would it be just the "norm" because that is all
they have grown up with?
SO................what how did the NAACP bring about increasing
equality for black people?
Let's take a look at a few example…
The Birth of a Nation Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sts11p8Ry4
A film that caused great controversy was the "The Birth of a Nation"
that was a film about the formation of the USA. Black did not not
have they were depicted and the NAACP successfully lobbied to
have the screening stopped in some states.
In the inter-war years the NAACP tried to bring an end to lynching of
blacks, particularly, in the Southern States. They would often
investigate black people charged with crimes they didn't commit and
would then help them get out of jail, such as the Elaine Race Riot in
1919.
LESSON 6
WASW: we
have
investigated the
Riots or the
release of the
Birth of a
National film and
its impact on the
Black Civil
Rights
Movement.
ACTIVITY:
Choose one of
the options and
present your
answers and
research.
Remember to
include titles,
sub-titles,
referenced
quotes, pictures,
include the
question in your
answer.
WALT:
understand the
key figures in
the Black Civil
Rights
Movement
(This could be a group task)
Time to investigate some of these events a bit more in depth!
Option 1: Springfield Race Riots/Elaine Race Riots
Success Criteria:
1) When did this event happen?
2)Who was involved?
3)Why was this such a controversial event?
4) How come this event lead to the formation of the NAACP?
5)What were the consequences for those involved in the Race Riots
(ie who were the main people involved and what happened to them).
Option 2: Birth of a Nation Film
Success Criteria:
1) When was this film produced?
2)How was it received both critically and commercially?
3)Why was this a controversial film? Give specific examples of how
people were disenfranchised
4)What protest movements came from this film?
The Road to Equality Heats Up
After World War II, the black civil rights movement for equality began
to gain significant momentum.
Black people were now completely sick of being discriminated
against. Black leaders began to now stand up for change.
Rosa Parks http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDZK09AUXT8
On December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks (the "mother of the Civil Rights
Movement") refused to give up her seat on a public bus to make
room for a white passenger (on buses black people had to sit in the
back and if full give up their seat to a white person). She was
secretary of the Montgomery NAACP chapter and had recently
returned from a meeting at the Highlander Center in Tennessee
where nonviolent civil disobedience as a strategy had been
discussed.
Consequences of Montgomery Bus Protest for Equality
Reduced bus revenue by 80% until a federal court ordered
Montgomery's buses desegregated in November 1956, and the
boycott ended enabling black people to catch the bus and sit where
they wanted
A young Baptist minister named Martin Luther King, Jr. was president
of the Montgomery Improvement Association, the organization that
directed the boycott. The protest made King a national figure. His
eloquent appeals to Christian brotherhood and American idealism
created a positive impression on people both inside and outside the
South.
Martin Luther King
I have a dream speech:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smEqnnklfYs
King believed that organized, nonviolent protest against the system
of southern segregation known as Jim Crow laws would lead to
extensive media coverage of the struggle for black equality and
voting rights
March on Washington
The march in Washington:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_c2lLYuYU1I
The march originally was conceived as an event to dramatize the
desperate condition of blacks in the southern United States and a
very public opportunity to place organizers' concerns and grievances
squarely before the seat of power in the nation's capital. Organizers
intended to denounce and then challenge the federal government for
its failure to safeguard the civil rights and physical safety of civil rights
workers and blacks, generally, in the South
Consequences of the March on Washington
The March, and especially King's speech, helped put civil rights at
the very top the liberal political agenda in the United States and
facilitated passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
Civil Rights Act of 1964
President Johnson and the Civil Rights Act of 1964:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7lrS0sLrVE
President Lydon Johnson comments:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKfoJJA5xWM



Enabled Blacks full legal rights for voting
Ended segregation of public places such as schools, movies
etc
Ended segregation on race and colour
Joan Baez
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKxJ3uBxnr0
We shall overcome,
We shall overcome,
We shall overcome, some day.
Oh, deep in my heart,
I do believe
We shall overcome, some day.
We’ll walk hand in hand,
We’ll walk hand in hand,
We’ll walk hand in hand, some day.
Oh, deep in my heart,
We shall live in peace,
We shall live in peace,
We shall live in peace, some day.
Oh, deep in my heart,
We shall all be free,
We shall all be free,
John F Kennedy
Was the American President in the early 1960's. One of his campaign
focuses was on black civil rights. He commissioned a report on black
equality in the USA and these are a few statistics from this.
Civil Rights Address:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BEhKgoA86U
WASW: we
have
investigated the
life of one of the
Black Civil
Rights leaders
and their role in
the movement.
Create a poster/presentation or speech on one of the civil rights
leaders
Success Criteria:
1. Who are they?
2. What is their background?
3. What involvement in the civil rights movement did they have?
4. What changes did they affect?
or
WASW: can
produce a short
speech as a
group on a key
figure of the civil
rights
movement.
WALT: evaluate
how the 1960's
were influenced
by key events of
the 1960's.
Key moments of the 1960's
Sit In's
Sophisticated Picture Book: Sit in. How four friends stoop up by
sitting down.
WASW: can
describe and
look at how the
civil rights
movement
gained traction.
Interview about the book.
The 1960's saw the increase in protest, with a different flair to
perhaps today's forms of protests.
A tactic that was used to challenge the equality of blacks was to
protest with the tactic of "sit In's". Blacks started to peacefully
protest by "sitting in" in on establishments that would segregate
blacks from whites.
Take a look at the "sit in" movement clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OT9gILdTaWo
Take down three points and discuss with the class.
Freedom riders were civil rights activists that rode interstate buses
into the segregated southern United States. The first Freedom Ride
left Washington, D.C., on May 4, 1961, and was scheduled to arrive
in New Orleans on May 17
Freedom riders history:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zBY6gkpbTg
They set about trying to challenge the segregation of the Southern
States in areas such as restaurants and bus stops.
Mississippi Freedom Summer, 1964
In the summer of 1964, 1,000 activists to Mississippi—most of them
white college students—to join with local black activists to register
voters, teach in "Freedom Schools” and organize the Mississippi
Freedom Democratic Party.
Many of Mississippi's white residents deeply resented the outsiders
and attempts to change their society. They faced significant
pressures such as:
State and local governments, police, the White Citizens' Council and
the Ku Klux Klan used arrests, beatings, arson, murder, spying, firing,
evictions, and other forms of intimidation and harassment to oppose
the project and prevent blacks from registering to vote or achieving
social equality.
This protest was interesting because it involved significant white
people that showed that white people, particularly in the North of
America were ready for change.
The Rise of Black Power
The Black Power movement began in the early 1960's which aimed
to gain more of a sense in black pride and identity as well. In gaining
more of a sense of a cultural identity, several blacks demanded that
whites no longer refer to them as "Negroes" but as "Afro-Americans."
They adopted an approach of "anyway necessary to gain change and
stop inequality". This could include violence which was a direct
change from more peaceful approaches such as sit ins.
In 1968, Tommie Smith and John Carlos, while being awarded the
gold and bronze medals, respectively, at the 1968 Summer
Olympics, donned human rights badges and each raised a blackgloved Black Power salute during their podium ceremony.
Incidentally, it was the suggestion of white silver medalist, Peter
Norman of Australia, for Smith and Carlos to each wear one black
glove. Smith and Carlos were immediately ejected from the games by
the United States Olympic Committee, and later the International
Olympic Committee issued a permanent lifetime ban for the two.
However, the Black Power movement had been given a stage on
live, international television.
WASW: We
have
investigated one
of the following
events and its
impact on the
Civil Rights
Movement.
ACTIVITY:
Investigate (one of the following) the origins of Sit In's, Mississippi
Freedom Summer. Freedom Riders, Black Power
1. Why were they such an important event in the Civil Rights
Movement
2. Detail what consequences people who protested would face
3. What changes occurred for equality because of the movement
WALT: evaluate
whether equality
was granted to
Blacks post
1960's.
Evaluating the consequences of the Civil Rights Movement
WASW: discuss
as a class black
equality in the
21st Century.
After the 1960's, there could be an argument for black equality
because legally, blacks were now equal. But this wasn't the end of
the issue of discrimination.
Consider the past events we have studied about black civil rights.
What are your thoughts on Barack Obama being the leader of the
USA. Is the society now "equal"?
Socially Black Americans still faced (and continue to face)
significant in-equality.
The 1992 Los Angeles Riots, also known as the 1992 Los Angeles
Civil Unrest and Rodney King Uprising, were sparked on April 29,
1992, when a jury acquitted four white Los Angeles Police
Department officers accused in the videotaped beating of black
motorist Rodney King following a high-speed pursuit. Thousands of
people in the Los Angeles area rioted over the six days following the
verdict. Widespread looting, assault, arson and murder occurred, and
property damages topped roughly US$1 billion. In all, 53 people died
during the riots and thousands more were injured.
Looking at the election of Barack Obama
Election Speech: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8Telescoped
Controversy has followed Obama since he has been President of the
USA.
They are significant numbers of people who believe that he is not in
fact a USA citizen.
My question to you is: If he was white do you think this would change
the issue?
Donald Trump In March 2011, during an interview on Good Morning
America, Donald Trump said he was seriously considering running
for president, that he was a "little" skeptical of Obama's citizenship,
and that someone who shares this view shouldn't be so quickly
dismissed as an "idiot". Trump added, "Growing up no one knew him”
WASW: we are
prepared with
notes ready for
the paideia
seminar
focusing in on
the
question:Are
Your task now is to independently evaluate the Civil Rights
Movement
You need to make judgments on whether there is equality within the
United States. It would also be wise to make some comparison with
other countries of the world including New Zealand.
the equality
movements
of the 20
Century
enabling
equality in
the 21
Century?
Th
st
Please note: While the unit looks specifically at Black Civil Rights; the notion of equality
is broader. The assessment is aimed to consider the students full understanding of the
concepts. Level 4 and 5 students will need to research other aspects of equality so that
we can truly assess their ability to think critically and not just regurgitate content.
Equality Assessment Rubric’s
Content Knowledge and Understanding
Level 2
(with high level
of support)
Knowledg
e and
Understan
ding
Can (with
prompts) discuss
the basic meaning
of equality.
Can discuss the
basic foundation
of the woman's
liberation and
Black Civil Rights
movements.
Is beginning to
understand the
impact of
inequality of
individuals and
groups.
Level 3
(with guidance)
Can discuss the
meaning of what
equality means and
give basic
examples eg. race,
religion, ethnicity,
political affiliation,
economic status,
social status, and
cultural heritage.
Can discuss the
basic foundation of
Woman's Liberation
and Black Civil Rights
movements and
provide at least 2
details for each eg.
key figures,
significant events.
Is beginning to make
connections and
identify
‘authentic/personal
experiences’ with
equality or inequality.
Level 4
(independently)
Level 5
(takes ownership)
Understand the
notion of equality
and can discuss the
basic dimensions
eg. race, religion,
ethnicity, political
affiliation, economic
status, social
status, and cultural
heritage.
All of level 4 plus
Can discuss the
Woman's liberation
and Black Civil
Rights movements
and provide
several details for
each, evaluating
their impact on
gaining equality eg.
key figures,
significant events.
Is able make
connections on a
national scale and
comment on
aspects of equality
or inequality living
in New Zealand.
·
Key Ideas
Can discuss/write
about the notion of
equality in relation
to race, religion,
ethnicity, political
affiliation, economic
status, social status
and cultural
heritage both
nationally and
globally - making
comparisons.
Can
discuss/evaluate
the Woman's
liberation and Black
Civil Rights
movements and
providing timeline
for each, critiquing
and evaluating the
impact of specific
events and key
figures in their fight
for equality.
Is able make
connections;
commenting on
aspects of equality
and inequality both
in New Zealand and
globally.
With high level
of support can
attempt to
discuss the
following:
With guidance can
attempt to discuss
The following:
Independently can
discuss the
following:
Can discuss with
detail and critique
:
Beginning to
understand the
foundations of
women’s
liberation
Understand the
foundations of
women’s liberation
Understand the
foundations of
women’s liberation
Understand the
foundations of
women’s liberation
Understand the
notion of equality.
Understand the
notion of equality.
Understand the
notion of equality.
Understand the
Understand how
Understand how
Beginning to
understand the
notion of equality.
struggle of social
minorities.
Understand how civic
protest can bring
about change.
Understand the
context of early
relations that faced
women and black in
American society.
people pass on and
sustain culture and
heritage for
different reasons
and that this has
consequences for
people.
Understand that
events have causes
and effects.
cultural interaction
impacts on cultures
and societies.
Understand how the
ideas and actions of
people in the past
have had a
significant impact
on people’s lives.
Understand how
people define and
seek human rights.