To make connections between setting in a novel to a historical event in America.
Scenario:
The 1960s was a very tumultuous time in America. Many changes were taking place, especially with regards to civil rights. After reading The Secret Life of Bees, which takes place in the same year that the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is passed, students will complete an independent research project. (The collaborating teacher had set this lesson up after reading the novel;however, the research lesson could also be done prior to reading the novel as background knowledge to gain a better understanding of the events taking place within the novel.)
Choose one of the following topics on which to complete your research.
• Brown V. Board of Education
• Voting Rights Act
• Freedom Riders
• Little Rock Nine
• Black Panthers
• Civil Rights Act of 1964
• Southern Christian Leadership Conference
• Greensboro Sit-In
• Freedom Summer
• March on Washington of 1963
Overview:
Students are to use the connection of the setting and time period of the novel, The Secret Life of Bees, to make connections to events in the novel to events in America's history. The essay should provide information about the topic as well as explain its significance. Student's sample essential question will be along the lines of "What is the [insert topic here] and how did it affect the Civil Rights Movement in this country?"
Final Product:
Students will write a two page research paper, with properly formatted in-text citations and a properly formatted MLA works cited page.
Library Lesson:
Students will:
1. use print reources to gather background reading on topic of their choice to create questions for the "Think Before You Begin" activity.
2. find print sources to answer essential and supporting questions; once they find those sources, students will cite them using templates provided by school librarian.
3. access and use online sources to further understanding of the significance of their event; students will cite them using templates provided by school librarian.
4. will practice effective internet searching to find quality sources for their topic; students will complete an internet evaluation guide for each source they wish to cite.
Estimated Lesson Time:
90 minutes
Have you taught this lesson before:
Yes
Strategies for differentiation:
Depending on time, move lesson three to another project later in the year.