Black Lives Matter Protests Lesson Plan: U.S. History

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This lesson accompanies the BrainPOP topic Black Lives Matter Protests, and supports the standard of understanding the effects of structural racism and analyzing how this movement contributes to social change in the United States. Students demonstrate understanding through a variety of projects.

Step 1: ACTIVATE PRIOR KNOWLEDGE

Ask students:

• What do you know about the Black Lives Matter movement?
• What questions do you have about the Black Lives Matter protests??

Step 2: BUILD BACKGROUND

• Read the description on the Black Lives Matter Protests topic page.
• Play the Movie, pausing to check for understanding. 
• Have students read one of the following Related Reading articles: “In Depth” or “Around the World”. Partner them with someone who read a different article to share what they learned with each other.
  

Step 3: APPLY 

Students express their understanding through one or more of the following activities, which also address essential literacy skills. They can work individually or collaborate.  

• Make-a-Movie: Create a PSA about how students can support inclusion and equality in their school or local community. (Essential Literacy Skill: Determine central ideas)
• Make-a-Map: Make a concept map identifying and explaining examples of structural racism in U.S. history. (Essential Literacy Skill: Cite specific evidence to support conclusions drawn)
• Creative Coding: Code a flag to represent the Black Lives Matter movement. (Essential Literacy Skill: Determine central ideas)

Step 4: REFLECT & ASSESS 

• Reflect:  Students reflect on what they’ve learned about Black Lives Matter Protests. Prompt them by asking questions such as: 
  • How is interpersonal racism different from structural racism? In what way does structural racism make life more difficult for Black people and other people of color?
  • How has Black Lives Matter developed from a hashtag to a movement? What is the goal of demonstrations, like protests and marches, and in what ways have they been successful?
  • In what ways do the Black Lives Matter protests reflect how American identity has evolved since the founding of the United States?
  • What are some ways kids can speak up and support a more inclusive community?

• Assess: Wrap up the lesson with the Black Lives Matter Protests Challenge. 

Step 5:  Extend Learning

Black History Unit: Continue to build understanding around important figures and events with more BrainPOP topics. 

Additional Support Resources:

• Modifications for BrainPOP Learning Activities: Strategies to meet ELL and other instructional and student needs.
• BrainPOP Learning Activities Support: Resources for best practices using BrainPOP.