One very important case was Brown v. Board of Education. It all started in Topeka, Kansas. A black third-grader named Linda Brown wanted to go to a white school close to her house. The principal refused to allow her to attend school. Linda's parents decided to take the matter to court. With Thurgood Marshall's help, they won their court case. Linda Brown was able to attend the school near her home.
Mrs. Long and I presented students with the following challenge...
Pretend you are Linda Brown. You finally get to go to the white school. But kids look at you because you are different. How does it feel?I am always amazed at the insight our children sometimes have about things in life. Here are a few of their responses.
Chyanne said...
I feel very sad but happy because it is close to my house. The kids snarl their noses at me and laugh. All I do is walk away. When I answer a question in the classroom, kids just stare at me.Alexis says...
They stare at me. I tell them we're the same on the inside. They just laugh at me. I get mad. I don't have any friends just because I'm different on the outside. At lunch, nobody wants to sit by me. At recess, they won't let me play with them. When I go to the slide, everybody runs away like I am sick.Kai says...
I would feel bad because everybody would call me names, pick on me, and threaten me. I wouldn't have any friends.Spencer shares his thoughts...
The first time I walked in the white school I was scared. Then I walked in. People made fun of me because of my color. They looked at me very strange for some reason. Then, I said to myself, "Why wouldn't any kid talk to me?" Then at lunch, no one sat with me. At recess no one would play with me. I was very sad.Emmeleigh says...
People would make fun of me every day. But, I will not care. Because all that matters is learning.This was a great writing assignment. It required students to think of themselves in another person's shoes and feel empathy. I am proud of my students' ability to put their feelings and thoughts into words to share with others. Way to go, guys!
