Affirmative Action and Civil Rights Lesson Plans

Exploring Affirmative Action, the Freedom Riders and the Most Influential Protests Fighting for Civil Rights.
 

View the video Affirmative Action in Court by MSNBC.

Discussion Guide

Lesson Plan 1- Exploring Both Sides of Affirmative Action

Objective:  Students will explore the pros and cons of affirmative action and present a project supporting one side

Handout Lesson Plan 1 – Affirmative Action Project Expectations

Lesson Plan 2- Most Influential Protests- Top Ten Most Influential Protests for Civil Rights

Objective: Students will research and explore the most influential protests for civil rights and create presentations for each.

Handout Lesson Plan 2- Protest Project Research Guide

Lesson Plan 3- Freedom Riders- Exploring Freedom Riders

Objective: Students will explore the Freedom Riders website, commemorating their 50^th anniversary.

21^st Century Core Content
History
Government and Civics
Geography

21^st Century Themes
Global Awareness

21^st Century Skills
Think Creatively
Work Creatively With Others
Implement Innovations
Reason Effectively
Make Judgments and Decisions
Solve Problems
Communicate Clearly
Collaborate with Others
Access and Evaluate Information
Use and Manage Information
Analyze Media
Be Flexible
Manage Goals and Time
Work Independently
Be Self-directed Learners
Interact Effectively with Others
Work Effectively in Diverse Teams
Produce Results
Guide and Lead Others
Be Responsible to Others

Additional Resources:
University of Michigan Affirmative Action Court Case 2003
The Next Big Affirmative Action Court Case
Balanced Politics; Affirmative Action Pros and Cons
Affirmative Action History and Timeline
Affirmative Action; the Michigan Ruling 2011

Additional Resources for Subscribers of Global Issues in Context:
Affirmative Action: How Far Have We Come?
Efforts in Five States Target Affirmative Action
Not So Black and White
Affirmative Action:  Topic Overview
Affirmative Action’s Long Record