Oh Freedom! by Casey King and Linda Barrett is an outstanding book to use with a class to understand the dynamics of prejudice and race in the United States. The students in this book interviewed family members, friends, and activists about the Civil Right Movement. The transcripts of all these interviews are included. This book presents information that goes beyond the usual drinking fountain type examples. My children were always shocked to learn about the lack of playground equipment and other school related inequalities. I usually presented this book during Black History Month in conjunction with reading The Watsons Go to Birmingham 1963. I'd make copies of several interviews and have students practice reenacting them with a partner or small group. Then the groups shared their interview with the class. Some great class discussions about equality sprang out of this exercise. This book would also be a fantastic way to introduce an Oral History Project.
This sounds like a great book. I always found the Civil Rights Era very interesting to study in elementary school because often times children forget that it took place merely 50-60 years ago. To some it seems as far in the past at the Civil War. But the Civil Rights Era is still very much part of our current history. And since this era is also impacted school age children of the times it is easy to find topics that are appropriate for students in this day and age to teach them about.
ReplyDeleteThis does sound like a great book for helping students to not only understand the Civil Rights Movement but to value what was accomplished as a result of those outstanding individuals who actively participated in it. Another thing that I really like is the fact that the interview transcripts are included. That lends to the authenticity and, as Emily stated, goes beyond the surface of public segregation.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a wonderful book. I really appreciate you sharing your idea of making it into a readers theater type experience. That would really make it come alive for the students.
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