Read-alouds are excellent tools for teachers both in the classroom, and virtually. When tied to a specific topic, such as the Civil Rights Movement, they help the students spark discussions, share their views, and learn new vocabulary.
Freedom on the Menu is a story about the lunch counter sit-ins that took place in North Carolina, and then all around the South. Students and teachers will love the story of courage, based on true events in the 1960s. For this activity, teachers may read the book aloud to the whole class, discussing as they read, or assign the book in small groups or independently for older children. Next, students will create a BME storyboard, summarizing the story with descriptions and illustrations.
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Due Date:
Objective: Create a 3 cell storyboard summarizing the story with descriptions and illustrations.
Student Instructions:
Requirements:
Choose relevant primary sources like historical photos, newspaper clippings, or recordings from the Civil Rights era to connect students with real-life events. This helps make the story more tangible and meaningful.
Ask students to look closely at the primary source and share what they notice, such as people's expressions, clothing, or setting. Encourage thoughtful observations to spark curiosity and discussion.
Lead a discussion on how the primary source relates to events or emotions in Freedom on the Menu. This strengthens student comprehension of the historical context.
Have students create a quick sketch or write a few sentences about how the primary source adds to their understanding of the story. Reflection helps solidify learning and personal connection.
Invite students to share their reflections or drawings with the class. Recognizing different perspectives builds empathy and classroom community.
Freedom on the Menu is a children's book by Carol Boston Weatherford that tells the inspiring story of lunch counter sit-ins during the Civil Rights Movement, focusing on events in North Carolina in the 1960s. It highlights themes of courage and social change through the eyes of a young girl.
Teachers can read Freedom on the Menu aloud to the whole class to spark discussion, introduce Civil Rights history, and build vocabulary. It can also be assigned to small groups or as independent reading for older students, followed by activities like storyboarding.
A BME storyboard is a graphic organizer where students summarize the Beginning, Middle, and End of a story. For Freedom on the Menu, students describe each part and create matching illustrations to show their understanding.
Discussion questions include: Why were lunch counter sit-ins important? How did the characters show courage? What changes happened because of their actions? These help students connect with the story and its historical context.
Freedom on the Menu is ideal for Black History lessons because it presents real-life events in an age-appropriate way, encourages empathy, and prompts discussions about fairness, equality, and social justice for young learners.