Curated OER
Development of Federal Civil Rights Acts : 1950's - Present
Students use the Internet to research one of five cases associated with Brown v. Board of Education and then join a group with people who researched the other four.
Curated OER
Active Viewing: Eyes on the Prize "Awakenings"
Dive deeper into the Montgomery Bus Boycott with this multi-stage lesson plan, centered on the essential question: Why did the boycott last so long? Historians investigate the Jim Crow south through a video clip (not included), then...
Curated OER
Massive Resistance and School Integration
Fourth graders write a short story that shows their feelings on a chosen historical perspective on school integration of the past. For this school integration lesson plan, 4th graders learn about Separate But Equal, resistance to change,...
Curated OER
Segregation: From Jim Crow to Linda Brown
Students examine the African American social, economic, and political conditions between 1896 and 1953. In this segregation lesson, students analyze primary sources to develop an understanding of the plight of African Americans'...
Curated OER
The Little Rock Central High Crisis
Eighth graders identify the events that led to the Little Rock Central High Crisis. They observe and explain the causes and affects of the Little Rock Central High Crisis.
Curated OER
Schools of Thought on Segregation
Learners read a New York Times article in order to explain how American courts and communities are dealing with the unanimous Supreme Court decision to end "separate but equal" education. They analyze how this affects the nation's youth.
Curated OER
An Introduction to the Central High Crisis
Students identify key events and participants in the Central High Crisis
Curated OER
Re-Examining Brown
Learners identify, research, and report on the people, legal cases and conditions that led to the landmark case, Brown v. Board of Education. They role-play various people from the era preceding 1954.
Hartford Web Publishing
World History Archives: Sncc Fought for Change From the Bottom Up
A highly informative narrative on the development and philosophy of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, with comparisons to Dr. King's SCLC and the Black Panther Party. Good resource.
National Humanities Center
National Humanities Center: Toolbox Library: u.s. Supreme Court Plessy v. Ferguson [Pdf]
Read this concise discussion of the landmark Supreme Court decision, Plessy v Ferguson. Find a synopsis of the case, the majority opinion of the court, and the dissenting opinion by Justice Harlan.
Library of Congress
Loc: With an Even Hand, Brown vs. Board at Fifty
A special exhibit at the Library of Congress to commemorate the Brown vs. Board of Education 50 year anniversary.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Civil Rights Special Collection
Multimedia collection of video, primary text documents and audio on Civil Rights, especially Brown vs. Board of Education.
University of Missouri
Exploring Constitutional Conflicts: Plessy v Ferguson
Read the Supreme Court opinion that solidified the concept of separate, but equal in American law. The dissenting opinion written by Justice John Harlan is also included.
PBS
Pbs: Brown v. Board of Education
This site discusses the history, significance, and law of the Brown v. Board of Education case.
PBS
Pbs: Beyond Brown: Pursuing the Promise
PBS always provides an excellent website! This time they turn their attention to the famous Brown case. Site presents educational photos and narrative about the long road to Brown and the long road ahead.
Other
In Pursuit of Freedom & Equality: Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka
Teachers and students can find a comprehensive summary of the Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka case. Learn about the myths and find out the truth. The activities offered are especially meaningful. Students can perform a...
NBC
Nbc Learn: Free Resources: Finishing the Dream: Learning From Civil Rights Era
Over one hundred video clips, culled from NBS News archives, document events and issues of the civil rights era, from 1954-68. Also includes contemporary perspectives on civil rights, with videos of town hall-style conversations about...
US National Archives
Docsteach: From Dred Scott to Civil Rights Act of 1875: Eighteen Years of Change
In 1857, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in the Dred Scott decision that African-Americans were not citizens of the United States. Yet within 18 years, Black Americans would not only have citizenship, but would be guaranteed the right to...
Other
Learning for Justice: Brown v. Board: An American Legacy
An article celebrating the 50th anniversary of the famous Brown v. Board Supreme Court decision. Features background information, a timeline of integration of schools, interviews, and links to many other activities and resources covering...
PBS
Wnet: Thirteen: The Rise and Fall of Jim Crow
Companion to a four-part PBS series about Jim Crow has a timeline with links to significant events and people, video and audio clips from the series, and in-depth backgrounders on Jim Crow issues and impacts.
PBS
Wnet: Thirteen: Supreme Court Landmark Cases: Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)
From a PBS series about the Supreme Court, Plessy v. Ferguson is considered one of the landmark cases in the court's first 100 years. Read about the background of this important case, read about the thinking of the majority of the court...
Virginia Commonwealth University
Virginia Commonwealth University: Separate but Not Equal
Telling pictures of elementary schools for Blacks and Whites during the 50s and 60s. Discusses the situation in Prince Edward County that led to the Davis v. County School Board of Prince Edward County court case.
Other
Jim Crow Museum of Racist Memorabilia: What Was Jim Crow?
A listing of the Jim Crow laws and understood Jim Crow etiquette found across the South in the late 19th century.
Other
Landmark Cases: Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)
Everything you might want to know about this historic Supreme Court decision. Included are great teacher directed activities, background summary, and the text of the majority opinion.