Lesson Ideas

Civil Rights

Equality for all! In this BrainPOP movie, Tim and Moby introduce you to the American Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s. Find out what this movement was all about and why it was so important! Among other things, you’ll find out about the famous Brown v. Board of Education trial case, and about what happened when Rosa Parks refused to give up her bus seat in Montgomery, Alabama. You’ll also learn about sit-ins, Freedom Rides, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and what he did to contribute to the Civil Rights Movement. Its success has continued to inspire other groups--from union workers to the LGBT community--in their quest for equal treatment. America isn’t perfect, but if it ever is, we’ll know whom to thank!

Vocabulary Development Lesson Plan: Using a Word Map

Students explore and make connections between terms and concepts associated with a BrainPOP topic.   This lesson plan is aligned to Common Core State Standards.  See more »

Jim Crow Lesson Plan: Oral Argument Against Segregation

NOTE TO EDUCATORS: The movie featured in this lesson plan describes the mistreatment of African Americans as a result of Jim Crow laws. It includes references to lynching and depictions of racist carcicatures. It also briefly acknowledges the legacy of Civil Rights in today's Black Lives Matter and LGBT rights activists. Due to the sensitivity of this topic, consider previewing the Jim Crow movie before showing it to the class.

This lesson plan, adaptable for grades 3-12, invites students to explore BrainPOP resources to learn about Jim Crow laws that encouraged segregation in schools, transportation, restaurants, etc. in the South, as well promoted violence. Applying what they learn, students will take on the role of Homer Plessy’s lawyer, and argue against segregation to the Supreme Court, making the case that separate isn’t equal.   This lesson plan is aligned to Common Core State Standards.  See more »

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Lesson Plan: Sequencing Events

In this lesson plan, which is adaptable for grades 3-5, students use BrainPOP resources to learn about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the civil rights movement. Students will sequence the major events in Dr. King's life and discuss Dr. King as a leader and his impact on the civil rights movement using a series of cooperative learning activities and handouts. See more »

Civil Rights Lesson Plan: Research a Civil Rights Event or Leader

NOTE TO EDUCATORS: The movie featured in this lesson plan contains depictions of discrimination against African Americans during the Civil Rights movement. It also briefly acknowledges the legacy of Civil Rights in today's Black Lives Matter, LGBT, and women's rights activists. Due to the sensitivity of this topic, consider previewing the Civil Rights movie before showing it to the class.  

This lesson plan is aligned to Common Core State Standards.  See more »

Muhammad Ali Lesson Plan: Write a Freestyle Poem

NOTE TO EDUCATORS: The movie featured in this lesson plan touches on the violence of the Civil Rights era, including a brief description of the events surrounding the murder of Emmett Till. It also describes Ali's controversial political stands, including his association with the Nation of Islam, and his avoidance of the draft during the Vietnam War. Due to the sensitivity of this topic, consider previewing the Muhammad Ali movie before showing it to the class.

In this lesson plan, adaptable for grades 5-12, students use BrainPOP resources to explore the life of boxing champ Muhammad Ali, one of the most iconic athletes of the 20th century. After exploring Ali’s story, students will write a freestyle poem honoring this boxing champ and activist.     This lesson plan is aligned to Common Core State Standards.  See more »

Motown Lesson Plan: Write a Review

In this lesson plan, adaptable for grades 3-12, students use BrainPOP resources to learn about the birth of Motown, its role in racial integration of popular entertainment, and how it became the “sound of young America.” After exploring this topic, students imagine they are music critics in the early 1960s, and write a review of the new label Motown, describing its musical style and referencing specific musicians.   This lesson plan is aligned to Common Core State Standards.  See more »

Tuskegee Airmen Lesson Plan: Design a Time Zone X Game

In this lesson plan, adaptable for grades 5-12, students explore BrainPOP resources to learn about the Tuskegee Airmen, America’s  first black military pilots who battled Nazis abroad and discrimination back home. In this lesson, student will design their own Time Zone X game based on the story of these barrier-breaking pilots!   This lesson plan is aligned to Common Core State Standards.  See more »

Constitutional Law Lesson Plan: Do I Have a Right? Game

In this lesson plan which is adaptable for grades 5-12, students use BrainPOP resources (including an online game) to explore constitutional law and citizen's rights. Students will apply informational text skills as they learn to identify whether a constitutional right is being violated and match a given legal right to the constitutional amendment that protects it. This lesson plan is aligned to Common Core State Standards.  See more »
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1 comment
  1. Katie Williams said:

    A great selection of related videos and resources. The adaptable grade ranges allow my to differentiate for gifted students.