Social Studies: Civil Rights

Email Conversations with Rosa Parks and MLK, Jr. (Two Day Lesson)

Grade: 5th
Common Core State Standards:

SL.5.1 Engage effectively in range of collaborative discussions with

diverse partners on grade 5 topics and texts, building on others ideas
and expressing their own clearly
W.5.2 Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and
convey ideas and information clearly

Objective:
Students will demonstrate and understanding of the Montgomery Bus
Boycott by creating an email conversation between Rosa Parks and MLK, Jr.
Materials:
Montgomery Bus Boycott, Venn diagram for each student, Brainstorming
worksheets, Email direction sheet, Email format sheets
Procedure:

Day 1: Read Aloud & Venn Diagram: (20 minutes)

o Remind students that we read a book about Rosa Parks the other
day and that today we are going to read about the Montgomery
Bus Boycott which involved Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King, Jr.
o Read Montgomery Bus Boycott out loud to students. While
reading have students fill in Venn diagram.
o After reading ask students what they have jotted down on their
Venn diagrams. Teacher will write on Venn diagram, on the
overhead projector, while students raise their hands to give
similarities and differences between Rosa Parks and MLK, Jr.
Students will write down facts they dont have on their own Venn
diagram.
Day 1 & Continued into Day 2(if needed): Pre-Writing
Brainstorm & Email Writing Assignment (20-30 minutes)

o Teacher will explain that now students are going to be writing

two emails from the perspective of Rosa Parks and Martin Luther
King, Jr. about the Montgomery Bus Boycott. But first they will
complete a brainstorming page before they begin.
o Students will complete the brainstorming pages, one in the
perspective of MLK Jr., the other from the perspective of Rosa
Parks.
Day 2: Email Writing Assignment (30 minutes)
o Teacher will pass out email direction sheet and email format
sheets. Students will complete two emails, one from Rosa Parks
perspective and one from MLK, Jr. perspective.
o Students will share emails with the class.
Assessment:
Students will be successful if they are able to fill in and complete their Venn
diagram and write two emails, one from the perspective of Rosa Parks and
one from the perspective of MLK, Jr.