The Watsons Go to Birmingham 1963 s1

The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963 By Christopher Paul Curtis

In this assignment, you will explore the historical basis of The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963 in order to better understand the excitement and fear of that time. Each person will have particular tasks to complete and together we will combine our efforts into a scrapbook that is representative of this time period.

Task 1

Below are four important people of the Civil Rights Movement. You will choose one of them to research. After you research your person, you will work with another person to write a final copy. Each important person should have a one page double spaced word-processed paper and one photo.

 Your task is to research Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and determine what impact he had on the Civil Rights Movement. How did he help African Americans gain the right to be treated as equals? In what way did he change how African Americans were fighting back? What is he most famous for? What happened to him?

http://library.thinkquest.org/J0112391/martin_luther_king,_jr_.htm http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/articles/ushistory/martinlutherking1.htm http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/mlk/king/biography.html http://www.britannica.com/ebc/article-9369206?query=martin%20luther%20king %20jr&ct=

http://www.cr.nps.gov/nr/travel/civilrights/dc1.htm

 Your task is to research Ruby Bridges and determine what impact she had on the Civil Rights Movement. How did she help African Americans gain the right to be treated as equals? In what way did she bring inspiration to other African Americans? What is she famous for? Why is what she did so important to the issue of school segregation?

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/aaworld/history/spotlight_september.html

http://library.thinkquest.org/J0112391/ruby_bridges.htm

 Your task is to research Malcolm X and determine what impact he had on the Civil Rights movement. How did he help African Americans gain the right to be treated as equals? What was he involved in? How did his opinion about the resistance change over time? http://library.thinkquest.org/J0112391/malcolm_x.htm http://www.galegroup.com/free_resources/bhm/bio/malcolmx.htm

http://www.africawithin.com/malcolmx/malcolm_bio.htm  Your task is to research Rosa Parks and determine what impact she had on the Civil Rights Movement. How did she help African Americans gain the right to be treated as equals? What issue is she connected with? What movement did she begin in Montgomery?

http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/articles/ushistory/rosaparks1.htm

http://www.achievement.org/autodoc/page/par0bio-1

http://library.thinkquest.org/J0112391/rosa_parks.htm

http://www.alabamamoments.state.al.us/sec55qs.html

Task 2

You will travel back in time and discover what life was like in the 1960’s. You will visit different websites to find answers to this scavenger hunt.

 WHAT WAS LIFE LIKE DURING THE 1960'S? American Cultural History 1960-1969 - http://kclibrary.lonestar.edu/decade60.html

1. What was the population of the U.S. in the 1960's? 2. What was the average salary? 3. What was the minimum wage then? * Look under "Historic Events and Technology" to answer the following: 4. In 1962, what important Supreme Court decision was made? 5. Which President was assassinated in 1963? Who then became the President of the United States?

 WHAT WERE SOME KEY EVENTS OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT? Civil Rights Movement Timeline - http://www.infoplease.com/spot/civilrightstimeline1.html

1. What event in 1960 triggered similar nonviolent protests in the South against segregation? 2. 1961- who was the first black student to enroll in the University of Mississippi? What happened as a result of this? 3. 1963, May-What tragic event (shown on television) was instrumental in gaining sympathy for the civil rights movement? 4. 1963, August- What famous speech is delivered at the "March on Washington" and by whom? 5. What tragic event in Birmingham,1963, killed four little girls, caused more riots to erupt, and the death of two more black youths? 6. What important legislation (signed by President Johnson) prohibits discrimination of any kind based on race, color, religion or national origin?

 READ ABOUT THE INCIDENT AT WEST PARK (KELLY INGRAM) http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/travel/civilrights/al10.htm

1. Why was the park an important site in the city of Birmingham? 2. What tragic event happened there? 3. Who did the police and firemen attack at this park that caused such a public outcry? 4. Because of this event, the newly elected mayor of Birmingham eventually took what major action that changed the city?  READ ABOUT THE BOMBING AT THE SIXTEENTH STREET BAPTIST CHURCH http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/travel/civilrights/al11.htm

1. What group was responsible for bombing the church? 2. This act along with the assassination of President Kennedy helped to ensure the passage of what Act? 3. Find the names and ages of each girl that died in the bombing and print a picture of each. (Mrs. Wright will assist with this.) http://www.useekufind.com/peace/peoplemag.htm

 REVIEW THE TIMELINE OF "HISTORY OF THE INVESTIGATIONS OF THE 1963 CHURCH BOMBING”. http://www.4littlegirls.com/timeline.htm

1. What man was tried and convicted in 1977 for the death of Denise McNair? 2. Which two men were finally indicted on first degree murder in May 2000 and charged with "universal malice"? 3. Which of the two was sentenced to "life imprisonment?" 4. 1988-Which fourth man (died of cancer) admitted to involvement in the bombing, but was never tried for the bombing of the church? Task 3

You will help Mrs. Watson with her travel notebook by collecting this information and completing the time frame.

1. Get driving directions from Flint, MI, to Birmingham, AL. Print the map. http://www.mapquest.com

Answer the following questions:  How many miles total is the trip?  How long will it take the Brown Bomber to arrive in Birmingham, given that the Watson’s travel 55 mph  Mr. Watson said that he wanted to drive for 5 to 6 hours a day, how many days should the trip take?

2. What states will they travel through? Name two interesting facts about each state. (Remember the dates—the facts cannot be after 1963.) Task 4

You will now be creative. For some of the activities, you will be allowed to choose a small group to complete the activities. (Mrs. Wright has the right to HELP you select your groups if they are not productive.) Some of the activities are for individuals.

1. Use Google to find information on lunch counter sit-ins. Read at least two of the websites and make notes. You will need a group of at least five people, no more than six. You will create a short “play” depicting a lunch counter sit-in. 2. Prepare a news broadcast from the scene of the Sixteenth Street Church Bombing. http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/travel/civilrights/al11.htm Interview both African-Americas and white bystanders for their reactions. You will need a group of at least three people, no more than four. 3. Write a one page internal monologue that Kenny might have while he is behind the couch. (Individual) 4. You are a talk show host. Your guest today is Bull Connors. http://www.alabamamoments.state.al.us/sec62.html Act out the talk show that would ensue. (Two people) 5. You are a poet. You will create a bio-poem for Kenny, Byron, or Joetta. The format for a bio-poem is as follows: (Individual) Line 1: First name Line 2: Four traits that describe character Line 3: Relative [brother, sister, daughter, etc.] of - Line 4: Lover of - [list three things or people] Line 5: Who feels - [three items] Line 6: Who needs - [three items] Line 7: Who fears - [three items] Line 8: Who gives - [three items] Line 9: Who would like to see - [three items] Line 10: Resident of - Line 11: Last name