"Equal Voices: Past to Present"

2nd Grade

Project
2 weeks

"Equal Voices: Past to Present"

Jami Butler

Purpose

This project aims to connect students with the historical struggle for civil rights and equality, fostering a deeper understanding of fairness and justice. By engaging in activities that highlight past achievements and current challenges, students will develop skills in research, critical thinking, and creative expression. The project encourages students to apply their learning to their own community, promoting a culture of inclusivity and respect within their school.

Learning goals

Students will develop an understanding of key civil rights figures and their impact on history by engaging in interactive and creative activities. They will enhance their reading comprehension and critical thinking skills through the analysis of stories about fairness and justice. Students will practice effective communication by writing letters advocating for inclusivity and fairness and will express their understanding through visual arts, creating meaningful representations of equality and justice.

Standards

Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.2.3: Describe the connection between a series of historical events, scientific ideas or concepts, or steps in technical procedures in a text.
Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.2.1: Write opinion pieces in which they introduce the topic or book they are writing about, state an opinion, supply reasons that support the opinion, use linking words to connect opinion and reasons, and provide a concluding statement or section.
Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.2.4: Tell a story or recount an experience with appropriate facts and relevant, descriptive details, speaking audibly in coherent sentences.

Products

Throughout the project, students will create letters addressed to school leaders with actionable suggestions for fostering inclusivity and fairness. They will also design and produce visually engaging posters that convey messages of equality and justice. The culmination of the project will be the 'Living History Museum,' where students embody historical civil rights figures, showcasing their learning and understanding through performances and presentations.

Launch

Kick off the project with a 'Justice Journey Walk' where students embark on a guided exploration around the school. At each station, they engage in interactive activities and role-playing scenarios that highlight key events and figures from the civil rights movement. This immersive experience sets the stage for the project, sparking curiosity and enthusiasm for learning about fairness and justice.

Exhibition

Students will transform their classroom into a 'Living History Museum,' where they dress as historical figures like Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr. and present their research on these individuals' contributions to civil rights. Parents, teachers, and community members are invited to visit the museum, interact with the students, and engage in discussions about the importance of fairness and justice. This exhibition will serve as a platform for students to showcase their learning and share their ideas for promoting inclusivity within their school.

Week 1	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Activity 1: Launch the project with the 'Justice Journey Walk.' Organize students into small groups and guide them through various stations around the school. At each station, students participate in role-playing activities and discussions about key civil rights events and figures, such as Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr.	Activity 2: Conduct a read-aloud session with age-appropriate books on fairness and justice, such as 'The Story of Ruby Bridges' or 'Martin's Big Words.' Facilitate a guided discussion to help students connect the stories to their own lives.	Activity 3: Begin research on historical figures. Assign each group a figure, such as Rosa Parks or Martin Luther King Jr. Students use books and online resources to gather information about their assigned figure's contributions to civil rights.	Activity 4: Guide students in drafting letters to school leaders. Each student writes a letter suggesting ways to promote inclusivity and fairness within the school. Use graphic organizers to help them organize their thoughts and opinions.	Activity 5: Start creating visual art projects. Students design and begin to create posters that depict messages of equality and justice, incorporating elements of design and creativity.
Deliverables	1. Deliverable 1: Completed draft of a letter to school leaders with suggestions for promoting inclusivity and fairness. 2. Deliverable 2: Initial research notes on assigned historical figures, highlighting key contributions to civil rights.
Preparation	1. Prep Task 1: Set up stations around the school for the 'Justice Journey Walk,' including materials for role-playing activities. 2. Prep Task 2: Select and prepare read-aloud books focused on themes of fairness and justice. 3. Prep Task 3: Gather research materials and resources, including books and age-appropriate online content, for students to use in their research on historical figures. 4. Prep Task 4: Prepare graphic organizers and writing templates to guide students in drafting their letters. 5. Prep Task 5: Collect art supplies such as poster paper, markers, and paints for creating visual art projects.

Week 2	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Activity 1: Host a reading session at the local library. Students will listen to stories focused on fairness and justice, participate in a discussion, and reflect on how these themes apply to their lives. Encourage them to ask questions and share their thoughts.	Activity 2: Continue the research on historical figures, focusing on completing and refining their findings. Encourage students to create a simple presentation or storyboard that highlights key facts and important contributions of their assigned figure to the civil rights movement.	Activity 3: Finalize the letters to school leaders. Students will revise their drafts, incorporating any new ideas or suggestions discussed during the week. They will then write their final copies and prepare them for submission.	Activity 4: Complete the visual art projects. Guide students in putting the finishing touches on their posters, ensuring they clearly convey messages of equality and justice. Organize a classroom display to showcase their artwork.	Activity 5: Prepare for the 'Living History Museum' exhibition. Students will practice presenting as their assigned historical figure, focusing on clear communication and engaging storytelling. Set up the classroom to simulate a museum experience, with designated areas for each student to present.
Deliverables	1. Deliverable 1: Finalized letters to school leaders proposing ways to promote inclusivity and fairness. 2. Deliverable 2: Completed visual art posters depicting messages of equality and justice. 3. Deliverable 3: Presentations or storyboards on historical figures, ready for the 'Living History Museum' exhibition.
Preparation	1. Prep Task 1: Coordinate with the local library for the reading session, ensuring age-appropriate books are available and the space is prepared for the visit. 2. Prep Task 2: Provide students with presentation materials such as storyboard templates, poster boards, and markers to assist with their historical figure presentations. 3. Prep Task 3: Review and provide feedback on students' letter drafts to ensure clarity and effectiveness before finalization. 4. Prep Task 4: Organize the classroom space for the 'Living History Museum,' including setting up presentation areas and ensuring all materials are ready for the exhibition. 5. Prep Task 5: Arrange for parent, teacher, and community member invitations to the 'Living History Museum' to ensure a supportive audience for student presentations.