.:Rationale:.
I chose to teach this unit because history is very important and the topic of Civil Rights Movement is very common in a 5th grade social studies class. I remember being in class learning about segregation and the struggles African American people endured during this time. I couldn't believe that people could ever treat others so horrible just because of the color of their skin. To be able to see people like Martin Luther King Jr. speak so well and love this country even after all the discrimination put upon him makes him inspirational. To see others like him, such as Rosa Parks, a woman, take a stand is incredible and gives students an insight on how important it is to stand up for what you believe. Events such as Brown vs. Board of Education, which finally ended segregation in schools and gave African Americans a chance to get a good education, might have seemed not so important to students, until they hear how much it meant to those who couldn't have a clean classroom or new books at the time.
For students to be able to research and learn about the true meaning of freedom, togetherness, and success is crucial. History is meant to be taught in order to prevent injustices like slavery from ever occurring again. The fact that students have the opportunities to learn such things will make them grow up to be more open minded and caring human beings. They will be able to share this information with others and spread the word and knowledge gained in their classes. They will be able to go to school and sit next to an other student of a different race without injustices or being put down, and know what had to occur in order for them to be there.
For students to be able to research and learn about the true meaning of freedom, togetherness, and success is crucial. History is meant to be taught in order to prevent injustices like slavery from ever occurring again. The fact that students have the opportunities to learn such things will make them grow up to be more open minded and caring human beings. They will be able to share this information with others and spread the word and knowledge gained in their classes. They will be able to go to school and sit next to an other student of a different race without injustices or being put down, and know what had to occur in order for them to be there.