Ruby Bridges: Connecting Lives

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This unit, designed to promote the study of racial integration, begins with learning about the true story of Ruby Bridges, who single-handedly broke the color line in New Orleans in 1960 by being the first African American child to attend a previously segregated public school. She broke barriers and built bridges. The cross-curricular unit ends with the construction of a suspension bridge, giving students a chance to further examine the idea of strength and bridges.

OBJECTIVE
Students will:

1. Engage in critical discussions
2. Discover picture books for presenting ideas
3. Learn how literature can break barriers and build bridges
4. Respond to shared texts in group discussions
5. Practice critical-thinking skills
6. Learn and apply the comprehension strategy of making connections
7. Make connections and react to various texts using a double-entry journal
8. Research suspension bridges
9. Demonstrate knowledge of abstract concepts of geometric shapes and measurement
10. Design a suspension bridge
11. Construct a suspension bridge and describe the process
12. Create a presentation

LESSONS FOR THIS UNIT
Lesson 1: Connecting with Ruby Bridges
Lesson 2: Suspension Bridges: Connecting Lives

REPRODUCIBLES
Double-Entry Journal (PDF)
Build a Bridge Project (PDF)

CULMINATING ACTIVITY

Students will become amateur architects by designing, constructing, and presenting a suspension bridge. Students will invite parents to the presentations and the test of strength of their suspension bridges.

SUPPORTING BOOKS

Building Bridges for Our Future Booklist

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