Objectives
The curriculum unit will be taught during language arts block and covers both language arts as well as social studies objectives. The statewide curriculum is somewhat aligned with Common Core and has shifted to a much stronger focus on non-fiction texts. The two main language arts objectives are 4.5: The student will read and demonstrate comprehension of fictional texts, narrative non-fiction texts, and poetry, and 4.6: The student will read and demonstrate comprehension of non-fiction texts. The intent of this standard is that students will read non-fiction texts across the curriculum, including age-appropriate materials that reflect the Virginia Standards of Learning in English, history and social science, science, and mathematics.
The social studies objectives that will be addressed are: VS8: The student will demonstrate knowledge of the reconstruction of Virginia following the Civil War, and VS9: c) identifying the social and political events in Virginia linked to desegregation and Massive Resistance and their relationship to national history; and d) identifying the political, social, and/or economic contributions made by Maggie L. Walker; Harry F. Byrd, Sr.; Oliver W. Hill; Arthur R. Ashe, Jr.; A. Linwood Holton, Jr.; and L. Douglas Wilder.
In addition to teaching the standards for my state, I want my students to understand the struggle for Civil Rights that has been going on in our country. The South’s long history of slavery set the stage for a long and arduous battle for equality. By understanding the past, the students not only deepen their knowledge of history, but also will be better able to apply their knowledge to literature and events in the news. Most importantly, learning about Civil Rights will help them to see and make sense of injustices in the way people have been and are being treated.
Comments: