Many themes are present in the book. Students can pick a theme to explore and should support their choice with specific details or events from the text. One prominent theme is bravery. Ruby was a very brave young girl to be able to walk to school through the angry mobs every day.
Ruby walked every day into her school, even though there were mobs of people shouting at her. Her teacher was amazed at Ruby's bravery.
"‘Sometimes I'd look at her and wonder how she did it,’ said Mrs. Henry. ‘How she went by those mobs and sat here all by herself and yet seemed so relaxed and comfortable.’"
Some other themes present in this story are courage, faith, hope, compassion, and equality.
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Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that identifies themes in Ruby Bridges. Illustrate each theme and write a short description below each cell.
Invite students to share their thoughts and feelings about bravery as shown by Ruby. Encourage them to connect the story to their own lives by asking guiding questions, helping everyone feel included and respected.
Ask students to think about times when they or someone they know showed courage, big or small. Have them jot down or share examples, reinforcing that courage can be found in everyday actions.
Provide art materials and encourage each student to draw or collage a scene that represents bravery, either from Ruby Bridges’ story or their own experiences. Display their work to celebrate diverse perspectives.
Have students write a few sentences about a time they stood up for someone or saw someone do so. This helps them connect personally to the theme and builds empathy.
Set up brief skits where students act out situations from the book or their own ideas that demonstrate compassion and equality. Discuss how these values support a positive classroom community.
The main theme of The Story of Ruby Bridges is bravery. Ruby showed remarkable courage by attending an all-white school despite facing angry crowds, highlighting the importance of standing up for equality and justice.
Students can identify themes by looking for repeated ideas or messages in the story. They should support their chosen theme with specific details or events, like Ruby's daily walk through angry mobs or her ability to stay calm in difficult situations.
Examples of bravery include Ruby walking to school every day despite the protests, staying composed in class, and being the only student in her classroom. Her actions inspired her teacher and others around her.
Compassion is important because it shows how people, like Ruby's teacher, cared for her and supported her during tough times. It also encourages students to be kind and understanding toward others facing challenges.
Teachers can have students create a storyboard to illustrate and describe different themes from the book. This activity helps students visualize key moments and better understand messages like bravery, hope, and equality.