Ruby Bridges is an iconic figure in American history, known for her courage and determination as a six-year-old girl who helped integrate a white school in New Orleans in 1960. Teaching kindergarten students about Ruby Bridges can help them understand the importance of diversity, inclusion, and standing up for what is right. Here are some engaging kindergarten activities and free printables to help you introduce Ruby Bridges to your young students.
Introducing Ruby Bridges to Kindergarten Students
When introducing Ruby Bridges to kindergarten students, it's essential to use simple and child-friendly language to explain the context and significance of her story. You can start by reading a picture book about Ruby Bridges, such as "The Story of Ruby Bridges" by Robert Coles. This book tells the story of Ruby's experience in a way that is easy for young children to understand.
Key Points to Emphasize
- Ruby Bridges was a six-year-old girl who lived in New Orleans.
- She was the first African American student to attend a white school in the city.
- Many people were against her attending the school, but Ruby was brave and determined.
- She faced challenges and obstacles, but she never gave up.
- Ruby's actions helped to make the school and the community a fairer and more inclusive place.
Ruby Bridges Kindergarten Activities
Here are some engaging kindergarten activities to help your students learn about Ruby Bridges:
- Ruby Bridges Timeline: Create a timeline with your students to highlight the key events in Ruby Bridges' life. You can use a large piece of paper or a digital tool to create the timeline.
- Ruby Bridges Drawing: Ask your students to draw a picture of Ruby Bridges walking to school, surrounded by the crowds of people who were against her attending the school. Encourage them to include details such as the American flag, the school building, and the people's facial expressions.
- Ruby Bridges Writing: Have your students write a short story or a poem about Ruby Bridges' experience. Encourage them to use descriptive language and to imagine how Ruby might have felt.
- Ruby Bridges Role-Play: Set up a role-play scenario in your classroom where students can act out Ruby Bridges' experience. You can use dolls or stuffed animals to represent Ruby and the other characters in the story.
- Ruby Bridges Discussion: Lead a class discussion on the importance of diversity, inclusion, and standing up for what is right. Ask your students to share their thoughts and feelings about Ruby Bridges' story.
Ruby Bridges Free Printables
Here are some free printables to help you teach kindergarten students about Ruby Bridges:
- Ruby Bridges Coloring Page: A coloring page featuring Ruby Bridges walking to school.
- Ruby Bridges Word Search: A word search puzzle featuring vocabulary related to Ruby Bridges' story.
- Ruby Bridges Timeline Template: A template for creating a timeline of Ruby Bridges' life.
- Ruby Bridges Writing Prompt: A writing prompt sheet to help students write a short story or poem about Ruby Bridges.
- Ruby Bridges Discussion Questions: A set of discussion questions to help lead a class discussion on Ruby Bridges' story.
Assessment and Evaluation
To assess and evaluate your students' understanding of Ruby Bridges' story, you can use a variety of methods such as:
- Class Discussion: Observe students' participation in class discussions and their ability to answer questions about Ruby Bridges' story.
- Writing Samples: Review students' writing samples to assess their understanding of the story and their ability to write descriptively.
- Art Projects: Evaluate students' art projects to assess their understanding of the story and their ability to represent it visually.
- Role-Play: Observe students' participation in role-play activities to assess their understanding of the story and their ability to apply it to real-life situations.
Conclusion
Teaching kindergarten students about Ruby Bridges can be a powerful way to introduce them to the importance of diversity, inclusion, and standing up for what is right. By using engaging activities and free printables, you can help your students develop a deeper understanding of Ruby Bridges' story and its significance in American history.
We encourage you to share your own kindergarten activities and printables on Ruby Bridges in the comments below. How do you teach your students about Ruby Bridges? What activities and printables have you found to be most effective?
What is the significance of Ruby Bridges' story?
+Ruby Bridges' story is significant because it highlights the importance of diversity, inclusion, and standing up for what is right. Her bravery and determination helped to integrate a white school in New Orleans and paved the way for future generations of African American students.
How can I teach my kindergarten students about Ruby Bridges?
+You can teach your kindergarten students about Ruby Bridges using engaging activities and free printables. Some ideas include creating a timeline, drawing a picture, writing a short story or poem, and leading a class discussion.
What are some free printables available for teaching kindergarten students about Ruby Bridges?
+Some free printables available for teaching kindergarten students about Ruby Bridges include a coloring page, word search, timeline template, writing prompt, and discussion questions.