Introduction
The Civil Rights Movement was a pivotal time in American history that sought to end racial segregation and discrimination. In this WebQuest, students will explore key events, influential leaders, and the lasting impact of this movement. Guiding questions include: What strategies were used to fight for civil rights? and How did this movement change American society?
Task
Students will work in groups to create a digital timeline and short presentation highlighting major events and figures of the Civil Rights Movement. Each group will focus on a specific aspect such as protests, legal changes, or influential leaders.
Process
1) Students will divide into groups of 3-4
2) Assign each student a role:
- Historian (researches events)
- Biographer (focuses on key leaders)
- Designer (creates timeline/presentation)
- Presenter (shares findings)
3) Students will use the following articles: https://www.history.com/articles/civil-rights-movement
https://www.archives.gov/research/african-americans
4) Research important events such as the Montgomery Bus Boycott and speeches like I Have a Dream
5) Create a timeline using digital tools (Google Slides, Canva, etc.)
6) Present timeline to class
Evaluation
Students will be assessed using a rubric based on:
- Historical accuracy (30%)
- Timeline completeness (20%)
- Visual design and creativity (20%)
- Team collaboration (15%)
- Presentation delivery (15%)
Conclusion
Through this WebQuest, students gained a deeper understanding of how individuals and groups worked together to bring about social change. They also learned how the Civil Rights Movement continues to influence society today.
Students will create a “modern connection” project by researching a current social justice issue and comparing it to the goals and strategies of the Civil Rights Movement. They will present their findings in one paragraph comparing similarities and differences.