Real People Real History Teen Graphic Novel Book Study: March Book 1

In this class students will  learn about the US Civil Rights Movement by reading and discussing the graphic novel "March" by the late Congressman John Lewis and other first person accounts of the school desegregation efforts of six year old Ruby Bridges and her family.   Students will be encouraged to think critically and respond to the reading through a number of instructional supports including graphic organizers, creative writing, drawing etc.  The graphic novel nature of this book and the use of graphic organizers and multiple ways to respond to the text make this an excellent class for kids with ADHD, dyslexia, dysgraphia, and other learning disabilities and differences to learn about history through reading a compelling text.

This is a Flex version of this class so students will not join in live meetings.  There will be ample opportunities for interaction through discussion questions posted in the chat, assigned Kahoot! quizzes, and collaborative graphic organizers that students will use to share their thoughts and ideas.  Students will also be assigned videos to watch that contain first person accounts of the experiences of individuals who lived through this challenging time.


Week 1: Introducing Congressman John Lewis and Ruby Bridges

Opening question in the online classroom: Share a memory from when you were younger

The teacher will share pages 1-35 by video with the class to introduce the book

First Person Account: Kids in Birmingham 1963: Sample Voices

Students share about a childhood reflection that they read on the Kids in Birmingham site in the online classroom.  They can share a short video reflection, a slide presentation, or just comment in the classroom.


Discussion in Classroom:  Why does the Congressman tell the story of the chickens?  How do you think it might foreshadow the work that he will dedicate his life to?

Venn Diagram:  Compare your life to John Lewis’ life as a child.

Read  35-62 and share:

What was interesting?

What was frustrating?

What did you learn about history?

Thoughts or questions


Week 2: Life as an African American teen in the South

Opening question in the online classroom:  Share about a road trip or vacation that you have taken.

Kahoot! Review

Video First Person Account: Ruby Bridges' school experiences, excerpt from "This is Your Time"

Artwork Video Review: "The Problem We all Live With" by Norman Rockwell

Discussion:  What was it like to travel through the south for John and his Uncle?  How did they need to prepare?  Why?

Open Mind Diagram:  What did John think about during his teenage years?

Read p. 63-95 and share:
What was interesting?

What was frustrating?

What did you learn about history?

Thoughts or questions

Week 3: Embracing social activism and working toward desegregation

Opening Question in the online classroom:  What is something that you think is unfair or that you would like to change about the world?

Reflection Sheet Share

Kahoot! Review

Video First Person Accounts: 

Ruby Bridges goes to school outside perspectives: Barbara Henry  Video

Student Reading: John Steinbeck "Travels with Charlie"

Watch "The Civil Rights Movement: A Cultural Revolution

Discussion in the online classroom:  What were the potential consequences for John and his family if he went forward with trying to get into a segregated university?  Do you think that John’s family made the right decision?  Why or why not?  What were the potential consequences for Ruby and her family of sending her to an all white school.  Do you think her family made the right decision?  Why or why not?  Would you have made the same decision? Do you think it was easier or more effective to send a child to desegregate an educational institution?  

Shared KWL: Civil Rights Movement


Read 96- 121 and share:

What was interesting?

What was frustrating?

What did you learn about history?

Thoughts or questions


Week 4: Victory through nonviolence

Opening: Describe a time when you needed to be brave.

Kahoot! Review

 Artwork discussion: Photos of the Civil Rights Movement

Watch Amanda Gorman read her inauguration poem. "The Hill We Climb" 

Watch Amanda Gorman TED-Ed  Video: Using Your Voice is a Political Choice

Discussion:  What are some strategies that Lewis and his fellow students used to secure a change in their community?  What sacrifices did they make in order to achieve their goals?

Create a piece of artwork or your own graphic novel page inspired by March.  For your graphic novel page you can recreate a scene from the book or create a graphic novel page about an injustice that you see in today’s society.  You are welcome to write a poem, draw a picture, write a song, or make a video about your feelings regarding this book or injustices that you see in today's society. Share your art creation with the class.

*Note that this class provides four weeks of unique content, but I keep the classroom open an additional week for learners to get caught up and share any work that they would like to finish up.