Exploring Activism: Activists In Action Instructions
After having explored the concept of activism, thus laying the foundation for further study of activism, students will have the opportunity to learn what activism looks like by studying those figures from U.S history who were prominent activists.
Directions Each table group chooses an activist that they would like to know more about Working together each table group researches the activist of their choosing answering who, what, where, when, an d why the activist chosen was significan t The findings of each table group can be presented as a poster or a collage o r any other medium deemed appropriate Rather than have each table group speak to the class about their chosen activist, the students will get up and roam the room art gallery style viewing at least three posters or collages that interest them noting who, what, where, when, and why Once the gallery viewing has concluded , the students will have time to reflect on what they have learned (either in small groups or as a whole class) by answering the following questions: o Can social change occur without activism? o How does one become an activist? o What are ways activists use to express themselves? Additional guiding questions for discussion could incl ude: o Who or what determines the need for activism? How does that play a role in predicting the success of the activism? o Do activists supporting the same cause always agree about how the cause should be presented to the public? o What are some possible source s for disagreement among activists who support the same cause? o What makes someone a strong and effective leader or activist?
List of Activists (students can choose from) Abigail Adams, Muhammad Ali, Susan B. Anthony, Joan Baez, Gilbert Baker, John Brown, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Stokely Carmichael, Rachel Carson, Carrie Chapman Catt, Ceasar Chavez, Hillary Rodham Clinton, Lynn Conway, Dorothea Dix, Frederick Douglass, W.E.B . DuBois, Winoa Duke, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Medgar Evans, Betty Friedan, Angelina Grimke, William Lloyd Garrison, Dolores Huerta, Ron Kovic, Malcom X, Martin Luther King Jr., Cyndi Lauper, Russell Means, Harvey Milk, Rosa Parks, A. Philip Randolph, Paul Rob eson, Gloria Morgan Spurlock, Steinem, Henry David Thoreau, Sojourner Truth, Ida B. Wells
Exploring Activism Worksheet #2: Activists in Action
Who?
What?
Where?
When?
Why?
Who?
What?
Where?
When?
Why?
Who?
What?
Where?
When?
Why?
Reflection: Can social change occur without activism?
How does one become an activist?
What are ways activists use to express themselves?