Grade Levels: 6-8, 9-12

NOTE TO EDUCATORS: The movie featured in this lesson plan contains depictions of racism and mass violence. Consider previewing the movie before showing it to the class.

This lesson accompanies the BrainPOP topic Tulsa Race Massacre and addresses the standard of examining examples of World War I and postwar race relations, such as the Tulsa Race Massacre, through a variety of creative projects. 

Step 1: ACTIVATE PRIOR KNOWLEDGE

  • Display the word “segregation.” 
  • Ask students what comes to mind when they hear this word. Prompt them to give specific examples.

 

Step 2: BUILD BACKGROUND

  • Read aloud the description below the Movie player.
  • Play the Movie, pausing to check for understanding.  
  • Pair students and have them read one of the two Related Readings, then share what they learned with each other.

Step 3: APPLY

Students synthesize their ideas and express them through one or more of the following creative projects. They can work individually or collaborate.  

  • Make-a-Movie: Produce a mini-documentary that tells the story of the Tulsa Race Massacre.
  • Make-a-Map: Identify ways that the city of Tulsa is giving voice to the survivors of the massacre and their families.
  • Creative Coding: Code a headline for the 100th anniversary stating how Tulsa is finally bringing justice to victims of the massacre and their families.

 

Step 4: REFLECT & ASSESS 

Reflect: After sharing creative projects with each other, students reflect on what they learned about the Tulsa Race Massacre, including events leading up to and resulting from one of the worst episodes of racial violence. Prompt them by asking questions such as: 

  • In what ways did the rising racial violence in the country lead to the Tulsa massacre?
  • Why was Greenwood in particular a target for resentment?
  • Almost 100 years later, how has Tulsa given voice to the survivors and descendants of the massacre?
  • Why do schools in Oklahoma and other states teach about the massacre as part of the curriculum today? Do you think schools in all states should include it? Explain your answer. 
  • Why is it important to face history, even tragic events like the Tulsa Race Massacre?
  • Where have you seen discrimination today? How can people stand up to discrimination? 

 

Assess: Wrap up the lesson with the Tulsa Race Massacre Quiz.

 

Lesson Plan Common Core State Standards Alignments