- Civil Right Movement
- The Watsons Go to Birmingham
The civil rights movement is such a hard topic to teach without being opinionated about certain aspects. Whenever I picture myself talking about the civil rights movement to children, I see myself being really emotional. Like I want to make sure they are learning everything they need to know about the civil rights but I want to make sure I include the reality of what really was happening to black people at the time. I just think there is so many activities and so many books to read but everyone I have came across does not quite paint the horrible picture of African Americans past
The Watsons Go to Birmingham was a really cute book to hear about. I think the book was very enlightening because it showed the culture of black people in this time. It was in the deep south where things were hostile and it painted a great picture of what was going at the time of the civil rights movement. I think the book went into much detail about some of the gruesome scenes in Birmingham, which I think children should hear about. It is the only way it will resonate with students. Hearing things like this will motivate them to maybe want to change the world they live in.
Haley, I want to comment on a sentence you wrote in your reflection:
“Like I want to make sure they are learning everything they need to know about the civil rights but I want to make sure I include the reality of what really was happening to black people at the time.”
I want you to remember that you are a facilitator of learning and not a disseminator of knowledge. By providing primary sources and other learning material for students to view and think about your students will make their own meaning. You have inherent bias (we all do) due to you personal cultural experiences. As a teacher you have a responsibility to help students navigate their own thoughts and ideas about tough topics in history without carrying the burden of a teacher’s bias. It is one of the most difficult things for a teacher to do. Many of us become a teacher to change the world…and we can do that! However, to be fair to our students, we have to help them navigate their own thoughts and emotions without projecting ours onto them. I walk a fine line every Tuesday when I come into class… what to let my students discover on their own and what I feel I need to tell you! I try and balance that process, but know I am not perfect at it. You will find your way because you are a thinker and someone who processes before reacting. You got this.