Ruby Bridges - a citizen child who changed a law

Greeting + Calendar Circle + share homework rules and laws. Teacher: 'Today we meet a citizen who was ALSO 6 years old - and who helped change a LAW that wasn't fair.'

• Set up Norman Rockwell painting with source line
• Place Ruby Bridges photograph centerpiece
• Affirm 'six-year-olds can change things'

Ruby Bridges was 6 years old in 1960. The law in New Orleans, Louisiana said BLACK children and WHITE children had to go to SEPARATE schools - that law was called SEGREGATION, and it was UNFAIR. A court said the law had to change. Ruby was one of six Black children chosen to enter a previously all-white school. On her first day, November 14, 1960, federal officers walked with her so she would be SAFE. Many adults shouted at her. She walked anyway. Ruby's COURAGE - her practice of her RIGHT to learn alongside everyone - helped CHANGE the law for all American children.

• Notice - Ruby had the RIGHT to learn. She used her right with COURAGE. That changed a LAW.

  model Read with care. Pause: 'Ruby was 6, just like you. She walked into school every day for a year. Even when she was alone in her classroom, she kept going. Today, all American children can go to school together because Ruby and others like her made the law change.'

  prompt Read aloud Robert Coles and George Ford's 'The Story of Ruby Bridges' (1995). Pause on key spreads.
• A painting can also be a source. Who painted it? When? Why?

  model Teacher: 'This painting was made by Norman Rockwell in 1964 - 4 years after Ruby walked into school. It is in the Norman Rockwell Museum. The painting shows Ruby with federal officers around her. The painting is a kind of PRIMARY SOURCE - it tells us how artists witnessed history.'

  prompt Examine Norman Rockwell's 'The Problem We All Live With' (1964) with source line.

• Tell me Ruby Bridges' age when she walked into the new school.
• What law did her actions help change?

M-1-S-CIV-07-A Illustration

4 photographed spreads from Coles/Ford 1995 book: cover, the morning of Nov 14 1960, Ruby alone in her classroom, the end-of-year scene with classmates returning. Mounted as a 4-panel poster.

M-1-S-CIV-07-B Photograph

8x10 reproduction of Norman Rockwell's 1964 oil painting (Norman Rockwell Museum, Stockbridge MA). Source line printed below: 'Norman Rockwell, 1964, oil on canvas, 36 x 58 inches, Norman Rockwell Museum.' Used as paired primary source with the picture book.

M-1-S-CIV-07-C Photograph

Public-domain US Department of Justice photograph of Ruby Bridges, age 6, walking up the steps of William Frantz Elementary on Nov 14, 1960, accompanied by US Marshals. Source line: 'US Department of Justice, Nov 14 1960.' 5x7 print for child examination.

• Discuss: which RIGHT did Ruby practice? Which RESPONSIBILITY did the federal officers and her family carry? Match to MG-4 Rights/Responsibilities chart.

  scaffold Sentence frame: 'Ruby had the RIGHT to ___. Her family had the RESPONSIBILITY to ___.'
• Add Ruby Bridges to the class biography wall as a significant individual (carryover from Fall lesson 8).

  scaffold Portrait card + contribution card pair

• Tell me ONE right Ruby practiced AND how her actions changed a law.

• Add 'Ruby Bridges Day' to MG-11 Civic Holidays Calendar Strip (Nov 14)
• Preview: tomorrow we explore other civic holidays

• Tonight, share with a family member: 'Today we learned about Ruby Bridges, a 6-year-old citizen.' Ask: 'Can you tell me about a time YOU were brave at age 6?'