Commentaire descriptif
The story of Barbara Johns and the events leading to the strike of Prince Edward County’s black student population are recounted in this illustrated history. The dramatic story provides an entry into the larger social picture of the US South. Readers may be surprised by the extreme consequences of the strike; the material is rich for discussion about the past, and about oppression in general.
Anecdotes and news quotes convey the community’s hostility toward the young strikers. Section headings such as “Pupil Lashes out at Principal” and “A Lawsuit Is Filed—and the Troubles Begin” help guide readers through the fairly dense and lengthy material.
Photographic illustrations include family photos—although most of the original photos were lost when the Johns’ family home was burned to the ground. They show key people and places: a packed church meeting with NAACP lawyers; a burned cross in the schoolyard, erected to intimidate students with the threat of violence. Between text and image, this book demonstrates the long, dangerous and winding road that finally led to desegregation in the US South, while telling the story of a brave and effective young girl.
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Pistes d'exploration
: Discuss Barbara Rose Johns and her actions. How did she contribute to the fight for civil rights?
: With a peer, share your opinion of the five most important things to know about Barbara Rose Johns.
: Make a podcast telling others about Barbara Rose Johns and the role she played in the civil rights movement.
: Brainstorm what you know about the civil rights movement in the United States.
: Discuss the text features that help you understand the text. Explore how life was different for white and black children? Barbara Rose Johns was both ordinary and extraordinary? Describe how you see this in her personality.
: Identify the different people who played a role in the student strike that Barbara Rose Johns organized. What were their contributions?
: Research other civil rights events (listed at the back of the book). Make a slide for each event. Make a class slide show presentation of all the events.
: Talk about civil rights in the United States. What are the Jim Crow laws? Who are some famous leaders of the civil rights movement?
: Read and discuss the captions under the pictures, the headings, newspaper articles and sections in red. How was life different for white and black children?
: Pretend you are a journalist and interview an important figure in the American civil rights movement. Record your interview with a partner and present it to the class.
Mots-clés
Biography, Barbara Rose Johns, Black history, children's rights, civil rights, peaceful protests, school life, segregation
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