Standards:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.5.2
Determine two or more main ideas of a text and
explain how they are supported by key details;
summarize the text.

Curriculum Materials:
Video clips from Freedom Riders
& You Tube videos/freedom songs
Large-scale photographs
Chart paper (for gallery walk)
Newspaper/magazine
articles/flyers
Short readings
Picture books
Poster showing faces of Freedom
Riders
Graphic organizers tailored to
subject
Copies of selected childrens
book(s)
Music players

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.5.3
Explain the relationships or interactions between two
or more individuals, events, ideas, or concepts in a
historical, scientific, or technical text based on specific
information in the text.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.5.2
Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from
details in the text, including how characters in a story
or drama respond to challenges or how the speaker in a
poem reflects upon a topic; summarize the text.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.5.4
Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they
are used in a text, including figurative language such as
metaphors and similes.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.3.D
Use concrete words and phrases and sensory details to
convey experiences and events precisely.

Teaching Methods:
Discussions open talk
Incorporating creativity into curriculum:
o Using figurative language to engage
senses; writing poetry
o Gallery walk using photographs &
sound clips
o Using song as a way to summarize
language
o Stream of consciousness responses
Writing responses
Journals (practice of keeping a journal &
seeing ones own progression formative
assessment)
Multi-media forms (video, internet,
photographs)

Knowledge of Students and Context:

Students previously expressed interest in
exploring their individual
races/identities/heritages
Willing and open to sharing individual
experiences
Previous years expedition focused on
Civil Rights Movement
o Have this framework for beginning
to understand motivation of
Freedom Riders
o Knowledge of peaceful
demonstrations
Responded well to mini lesson using
stream of consciousness writing while
listening to MLKs I Have a Dream
speech

What

Lesson
How

Why

Educational Philosophy and Beliefs:

I believe that discussion can open up and increase
depth of ones thinking
Photographs are a powerful tool for eliciting a
visceral reaction and empathetic response
Students should see progress for themselves from
beginning of unit to end by journaling feelings and
thoughts throughout
Students should learn about their own history;
should understand courage it took for Freedom
Riders to engage in such undertakings;
understand what drove this movement and its
importance

Theories of Teaching and Learning:

Engage multiple intelligences
in order to engage all students
and encourage participation
and transfer (Gardners
Theory of Multiple
Intelligences)
Importance of building on pre-
existing knowledge and
engaging student interests
(Reggio Emilia approach)
Practicing mindfulness as a
daily exercise: journal entries
and stream of consciousness
writing (Rodgers & Raider-
Roth)
Choicestudents as active
participants of learning
(Reggio Emilia approach)