Stand for something or you will fall for anything. Today’s mighty oak is yesterday’s nut that held its ground.
-Rosa Parks
The above picture is of Rosa Parks and in the background, seemingly unaware that his picture is being taken, Martin Luther King, Jr. As our students learn about Rosa Parks this week, they will learn that her brave choice to staying sitting on that bus led to a bus boycott, which led to a young, little known minister being asked to lead that boycott, which in turn led to his rise as a prominent Civil Rights leader. Mrs. Parks’ choice and the events that followed are a powerful reminder to us and our students that one person can make a difference.
Resource Links:
African American Heroes: Rosa Parks | A Nat-Geo Kids article all about Rosa Parks.
Rosa Park’s Life Timeline | Explore this Library of Congress site starting with a timeline of Mrs. Park’s life.
Rosa Parks Printables | Print up a fact sheet, coloring page, crossword, and/or word search for your students to work on.
16 Rosa Parks Quotes About Civil Rights | Be inspired and challenged by Rosa Park’s thoughts on Civil Rights.
Civil Rights: The Montgomery Bus Boycott | This kid-friendly website offers information in an easy-to-follow format with a quiz at the end.
The Montgomery Bus Boycott | A Khan Academy unit on the bus boycott.
Civil Rights Movement Photographs | A site with a collection of photos from the Bus Boycott and other civil rights protests. For more pictures check out this Getty Images site.
Video Links:
*Parents, please preview for your students first.
Civil Rights Act of 1964 | Made just for kids this video touches on the Civil Rights Act, the bus boycott, Rosa Parks, and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Civil Rights Heroes for Kids | A 30 min. video for kids about Rosa Parks, Thurgood Marshall, Ruby Bridges, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Jackie Robinson.
Rosa Parks: Civil Rights Activist | An Educational video for kids about Rosa Parks.
Rosa Parks Biography: In Her Own Words | Watch Rosa Parks as she recalls her experience on the bus.
Montgomery Bus Boycott | A Biography video telling this historical boycott.
Civil Rights and the 1950s | Crash Course US History tackles this important time in American history. (Recommended LMS & up.)
Who is Sherlock Holmes? | As our students are enjoying Sir Arthur Conon Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes, this TEDEd video discusses how the character of Holmes is a palimpsest.
