Children’s Crusade Cityscape

Social Studies

SS.5.12 Outline key events and campaigns of the Civil Rights Movement and identify significant organizations and their contributions within the Movement. 

SS.5.12a Describe ways in which the Civil Rights Movement sought to create change. 

SS.5.12b Trace the chronology of civil rights events in Alabama and across the nation, and summarize how they impacted one another 

SS.5.12c Describe the contributions of Alabama leaders and foot soldiers of the Civil Rights Movement as well as other Alabamian supporters who aided their efforts 

SS.5.12d Summarize how opponents of the Civil Rights Movement in Alabama sought to limit its success. 

Visual Arts

AE.VA.2.2 Explore personal interests and curiosities with a range of art materials. 

AE.VA.2.2a Create two-dimensional art.

AE.VA.2.14 Create works of art about events in home, school, or community life. 

AE.VA.4.14 Create works of art that reflect community and/or cultural traditions.

By Identifying and illustrating events critical to the community, students will connect the visual arts lesson to their own lives/cultures and express their own life experiences.

30-45 minutes or two 20-minute sessions

• The Youngest Marcher by Cynthia Levenson
• Paper
• Pencil
• Optional: Dice, crayons, or other chosen materials for art creation
• Optional: Chart paper or erase board for KWL chart (Know, Want, Learn)

Before Lesson

• Students will begin building prior knowledge about the events in Birmingham, Alabama–specifically on May 2nd, 1963.
• Optional: Teachers can use a KWL chart to record responses.

During Lesson

• Students and teachers will read/listen to four or more accounts from the Kids in Birmingham 1963 website.
• The teacher then guides students in the directed drawing using lines and simple shapes. First, students will create the signs in the foreground at the bottom of their paper before drawing the buildings in the background.
• Students will listen to the soundtrack provided in the attached slideshow while they choose the windows, symbols, messages, and more to complete their cityscape.

After the lesson

• Students will discuss and share their artwork. They will also answer a reflection question on whether they would attend the Children’s March or not.