A Landmark in American Justice- A Lesson about Brown v. Board of Education
In this classroom activity from the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, students will examine both the integrationist and segregationist arguments from Brown v. Board of Education through role play and begin to explore the impact of the Supreme Court's decision through a primary source photographic analysis activity. This lesson is part of the online exhibition entitled Separate is Not Equal: Brown v. Board of Education.
Grade Band
- 4-12
Date Posted
July 7, 2008
Duration
50 minutes
Resource Types
National Standards
Historical Thinking (Grades K-4)
- Historical Thinking Standard 2: Historical Comprehension View Details
- H. Draw upon the visual data presented in photographs, paintings, cartoons, and architectural drawings. (NSH (K-4) Th2H)
- Historical Thinking Standard 3: Historical Analysis and Interpretation View Details
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B. Compare and contrast differing sets of ideas, values, personalities, behaviors, and institutions. (NSH (K-4) Th3B)
G. Consider multiple perspectives. (NSH (K-4) Th3G) - Historical Thinking Standard 4: Historical Research Capabilities View Details
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C. Interrogate historical data. (NSH (K-4) Th4C)
D. Marshal needed knowledge of the time and place, and construct a story, explanation, or historical narrative. (NSH (K-4) Th4D) - Historical Thinking Standard 5: Historical Issues-Analysis and Decision-Making View Details
- B. Analyze the interests and values of the various people involved. (NSH (K-4) Th5B)
Standards in History (Grades K-4)
- Topic 3: The History of the United States: Democratic Principles and Values and the People from Many Cultures Who Contributed to Its Cultural, Economic, and Political Heritage; Standard 4: How Democratic Values Came to Be, and How They Have Been Exemplified by People, Events, and Symbols View Details
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Topic 3: The History of the United States: Democratic Principles and Values and the People from Many Cultures Who Contributed to Its Cultural, Economic, and Political Heritage; Standard 4C: The student understands historic figures who have exemplified values and principles of American democracy. (NSH (K-4) HT3S4C)
Topic 3: The History of the United States: Democratic Principles and Values and the People from Many Cultures Who Contributed to Its Cultural, Economic, and Political Heritage; Standard 4D: The student understands events that celebrate and exemplify fundamental values and principles of American democracy. (NSH (K-4) HT3S4D)
United States History Standards (Grades 5-12)
- Era 9: Postwar United States (1945 to early 1970s) View Details
- Era 9: Postwar United States (1945 to early 1970s); Standard 4: The struggle for racial and gender equality and the extension of civil liberties (NSH (5-12) USHE9S4)
Historical Thinking (Grades 5-12)
- Historical Thinking Standard 2: Historical Comprehension View Details
- H. Draw upon the visual, literary, and musical sources. (NSH (5-12) Th2I)
- Historical Thinking Standard 3: Historical Analysis and Interpretation View Details
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A. Compare and contrast differing sets of ideas. (NSH (5-12) Th3A)
B. Consider multiple perspectives. (NSH (5-12) Th3B) - Historical Thinking Standard 4: Historical Research Capabilities View Details
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C. Interrogate historical data. (NSH (5-12) Th4C)
E. Support interpretations with historical evidence. (NSH (5-12) Th4F)
Keywords
Brown v. Board of Education; Supreme Court; Black History; African-American history; segregation; desegregation; racism; National Association for the Advancement of Colored People; NAACP; civil rights; education
