Christopher Paul CurtisThe Watsons Go To Birmingham- 1963Random House Book ; New York1995

Kira Michaw

Summary: This novel is set in Flint, Michigan in 1963. Kenny, our main character, is a young African American boy growing up in a pivotal time. The “Weird Watson” family find themselves in Birmingham, Alabama, for one of the most shocking events during the Civil Rights Movement.

A Great Change

Remember Segregation

Civil Right Museum

Martin Luther King Jr.

HOW WOULD YOU FEEL AFTER THE BIRMINGHAM BOMBING? • . Our novel is set during a pivotal time period for

America. In fact, the events occur the same year Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gave his “I have a dream” speech. How do you think Kenny would have felt if he saw the protests that occurred after the Birmingham Bombing? How do you feel about them? Create a Venn Diagram, comparing and contrasting your reaction to the event to Kenny’s.

HOW HAS AMERICA CHANGED SINCE THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT? America has undergone many important changes since we established ourselves as a country. Although the movement happened many years ago, you are still feeling the effects of it. Write a letter to one of the influential people key to the Civil Rights Movement. You could write to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. , Rosa Parks, Ruby Bridges or one of the Little Rock Nine. Be sure to include in your letter how their brave acts have effected your life. Don’t forget a BIG THANK YOU too!

HOW CAN YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

The Freedom Riders of 1961 sent out to make a difference in America. What can you recall about the Freedom Riders journey to spark change? What can you do to spark change in your school, your community, your city even you country. Write a short reflection in your journal. Remember, you could be the next hero for America!

NORTH CAROLINA STANDARDS

S.S. 3.04 Hypothesize how the differences and similarities among people have produced diverse American cultures

S.S 4.06 Evaluate the effectiveness of civil rights and social movements throughout the United States’ history that reflect the struggle for equality and constitutional rights for all citizens.

REFERENCES• Photographs of Birmingham Bombinghttp://www.loc.gov/exhibits/civilrights/images/cr0023s.jpg

• Newspaper about desegregation of schoolshttp://www.loc.gov/exhibits/brown/brown-brown.html

• Photographs of Ruby Bridges, Rosa Park and the Little Rock Nine. http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/brown/brown-aftermath.html

• Background map of the Freedom Riders Journeyhttp://memory.loc.gov/ammem/aaohtml/exhibit/0904001.html