Lesson 4
Objectives
Students will:
• Be introduced to African American history and Rosa Parks’ story
• Begin Reading Chapter 1
Materials:
• Rosa Parks: My Story
• Lesson 4 Handout (Novel Worksheets Tab)
• Lesson 4 Maya Angelou Poem (Novel Worksheets Tab)
• Chapter Questions & Discussion (Novel Worksheets Tab)
Calendar Question (15 minutes)
Activities:
All students should plan to purchase the book for $5 or request a copy from a library by the
start of next week’s class.
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(15 min) Introduce the idea that on Thursdays students will be reading Rosa Parks
My Story. Share that the purpose of reading the book on Thursdays is to build
reading and other language skills as well as to learn about American history and
culture. Remind students to purchase the book in the office for $5.
(30 min) Pass out discussion questions. Have students pair up and work on
answering questions together. Discuss answers as a group.
(30 min) Maya Angelou Poetry: Make copies to pass out. Have students read
silently and come up with one word or sentence that conveys the emotion of the
poem. Connect to the theme of Rosa Parks’ story and the context of the Civil Rights
movement.
(15 min) Begin reading Chapter 1 together or individually. If preferred, divide the
chapter up and take breaks to discuss vocabulary and themes every 5-10 pages.
o As they read, students should:
 Write 1-3 words they don’t know that they would like to look up.
 Write all the names of the people in the story
 Write details to describe the setting (time? Place? Weather? Etc..)
o Refer to Worksheets Tab for Chapter Questions & Discussion. Pass out now
or next week.
Lesson 8
Objectives
Students will:
• Review Rosa Parks Story
• Finish Chapter 1
Materials:
• Rosa Parks: My Story
• Chapter Questions & Discussion (Novel Worksheets Tab)
Calendar Question (15 minutes)
Activities:
*Please Note: The word “nigger” is used in the text in this chapter (Pg. 33-36). Please alert
students to this fact. The word derives from the Spanish word, “negro,” and was used
disparagingly toward black Americans. It became pejorative even by 1900, when the word
“colored” was used instead to describe African Americans. The term has been re-appropriated
in rap and hip hop culture, so it is possible that students have heard it being used in the city. In
this context, it is still highly controversial, and is only used among black youth to denote
solidarity.
Please explain to students that we never, EVER say this word, and that it is different from
other “swear” words. Decide in class whether students should say the word when reading the
text, or substitute a pause or another term in its place when they read the text out loud.
When speaking about this word, please model euphemisms such as the “N-word.”
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(90 min) Pass out Vocabulary and Comprehension Questions (see Novel
Worksheets Tab) for Chapter 1, and assign words to pairs of students to look up in
dictionaries. Have each pair present their word and meaning. Each pair should try to
find their word in the text.
o If preferred, divide the chapter up and take breaks to discuss vocabulary and
themes every 5-10 pages.
o Additional activities to encourage students to do while reading:
 Write 1-3 words they don’t know that they would like to look up.
 Write all the names of who they think are the most important people
in the chapter and review with class at the end
 Write details to describe the setting (time? Place? Weather? Etc..)
Lesson 12
Objectives
Students will:
• Review Rosa Parks Story
• Read Chapter 2
Materials:
• Rosa Parks: My Story
• Chapter Questions & Discussion (Novel Worksheets Tab)
Calendar Question (15 minutes)
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Activities:
(30 min) Review Chapter 1: Go over the names of characters, the setting, and any
problems that arose in this chapter.
(60 min) Pass out Vocabulary and Comprehension Questions (see Novel
Worksheets Tab) for Chapter 2, and assign words to pairs of students to look up in
dictionaries. Have each pair present their word and meaning. Each pair should try to
find their word in the text.
o If preferred, divide the chapter up and take breaks to discuss vocabulary and
themes every 5-10 pages.
o Additional activities to encourage students to do while reading:
 Write 1-3 words they don’t know that they would like to look up.
 Write all the names of who they think are the most important people
in the chapter and review with class at the end
 Write details to describe the setting (time? Place? Weather? Etc..)
Lesson 16
Objectives
Students will:
• Review Rosa Parks Story
• Read Chapter 3
Materials:
• Rosa Parks: My Story
• Chapter Questions & Discussion (Novel Worksheets Tab)
Calendar Question (15 minutes)
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Activities:
(30 min) Review Chapter 2: Go over the names of characters, the setting, and any
problems that arose in this chapter.
(60 min) Pass out Vocabulary and Comprehension Questions (see Novel
Worksheets Tab) for Chapter 3, and assign words to pairs of students to look up in
dictionaries. Have each pair present their word and meaning. Each pair should try to
find their word in the text.
o If preferred, divide the chapter up and take breaks to discuss vocabulary and
themes every 5-10 pages.
o Additional activities to encourage students to do while reading:
 Write 1-3 words they don’t know that they would like to look up.
 Write all the names of who they think are the most important people
in the chapter and review with class at the end
 Write details to describe the setting (time? Place? Weather? Etc..)
Lesson 20
Objectives
Students will:
• Review Rosa Parks Story
• Read Chapter 4
Materials:
• Rosa Parks: My Story
• Chapter Questions & Discussion (Novel Worksheets Tab)
Calendar Question (15 minutes)
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Activities:
(30 min) Review Chapter 3: Go over the names of characters, the setting, and any
problems that arose in this chapter.
(60 min) Pass out Vocabulary and Comprehension Questions (see Novel
Worksheets Tab) for Chapter 4, and assign words to pairs of students to look up in
dictionaries. Have each pair present their word and meaning. Each pair should try to
find their word in the text.
o If preferred, divide the chapter up and take breaks to discuss vocabulary and
themes every 5-10 pages.
o Additional activities to encourage students to do while reading:
 Write 1-3 words they don’t know that they would like to look up.
 Write all the names of who they think are the most important people
in the chapter and review with class at the end
 Write details to describe the setting (time? Place? Weather? Etc..)
Lesson 24
Objectives
Students will:
• Review Rosa Parks Story
• Read Chapter 5-6
Materials:
• Rosa Parks: My Story
• Chapter Questions & Discussion (Novel Worksheets Tab)
Calendar Question (15 minutes)
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Activities:
(30 min) Review Chapter 4: Go over the names of characters, the setting, and any
problems that arose in this chapter.
(60 min) Pass out Vocabulary and Comprehension Questions (see Novel
Worksheets Tab) for Chapter 5-6, and assign words to pairs of students to look up
in dictionaries. Have each pair present their word and meaning. Each pair should try
to find their word in the text.
o If preferred, divide the chapter up and take breaks to discuss vocabulary and
themes every 5-10 pages.
o Additional activities to encourage students to do while reading:
 Write 1-3 words they don’t know that they would like to look up.
 Write all the names of who they think are the most important people
in the chapter and review with class at the end
 Write details to describe the setting (time? Place? Weather? Etc..)
Lesson 28
Objectives
Students will:
• Review Rosa Parks Story
• Read Chapter 7
Materials:
• Rosa Parks: My Story
• Chapter Questions & Discussion (Novel Worksheets Tab)
Calendar Question (15 minutes)
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Activities:
(30 min) Review Chapter 5-6: Go over the names of characters, the setting, and any
problems that arose in this chapter.
(60 min) Pass out Vocabulary and Comprehension Questions (see Novel
Worksheets Tab) for Chapter 7, and assign words to pairs of students to look up in
dictionaries. Have each pair present their word and meaning. Each pair should try to
find their word in the text.
o If preferred, divide the chapter up and take breaks to discuss vocabulary and
themes every 5-10 pages.
o Additional activities to encourage students to do while reading:
 Write 1-3 words they don’t know that they would like to look up.
 Write all the names of who they think are the most important people
in the chapter and review with class at the end
 Write details to describe the setting (time? Place? Weather? Etc..)
Lesson 32
Objectives
Students will:
• Review Rosa Parks Story
• Read Chapter 8
Materials:
• Rosa Parks: My Story
• Chapter Questions & Discussion (Novel Worksheets Tab)
Calendar Question (15 minutes)
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Activities:
(30 min) Review Chapter 7: Go over the names of characters, the setting, and any
problems that arose in this chapter.
(60 min) Pass out Vocabulary and Comprehension Questions (see Novel
Worksheets Tab) for Chapter 8, and assign words to pairs of students to look up in
dictionaries. Have each pair present their word and meaning. Each pair should try to
find their word in the text.
o If preferred, divide the chapter up and take breaks to discuss vocabulary and
themes every 5-10 pages.
o Additional activities to encourage students to do while reading:
 Write 1-3 words they don’t know that they would like to look up.
 Write all the names of who they think are the most important people
in the chapter and review with class at the end
 Write details to describe the setting (time? Place? Weather? Etc..)
Lesson 36
Objectives
Students will:
• Review Rosa Parks Story
• Read Chapter 9
Materials:
• Rosa Parks: My Story
• Chapter Questions & Discussion (Novel Worksheets Tab)
Calendar Question (15 minutes)
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Activities:
(30 min) Review Chapter 8: Go over the names of characters, the setting, and any
problems that arose in this chapter.
(60 min) Pass out Vocabulary and Comprehension Questions (see Novel
Worksheets Tab) for Chapter 9, and assign words to pairs of students to look up in
dictionaries. Have each pair present their word and meaning. Each pair should try to
find their word in the text.
o If preferred, divide the chapter up and take breaks to discuss vocabulary and
themes every 5-10 pages.
o Additional activities to encourage students to do while reading:
 Write 1-3 words they don’t know that they would like to look up.
 Write all the names of who they think are the most important people
in the chapter and review with class at the end
 Write details to describe the setting (time? Place? Weather? Etc..)
Lesson 40
Objectives
Students will:
• Review Rosa Parks Story
• Read Chapter 10
Materials:
• Rosa Parks: My Story
• Chapter Questions & Discussion (Novel Worksheets Tab)
Calendar Question (15 minutes)
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Activities:
(30 min) Review Chapter 9: Go over the names of characters, the setting, and any
problems that arose in this chapter.
(60 min) Pass out Vocabulary and Comprehension Questions (see Novel
Worksheets Tab) for Chapter 10, and assign words to pairs of students to look up
in dictionaries. Have each pair present their word and meaning. Each pair should try
to find their word in the text.
o If preferred, divide the chapter up and take breaks to discuss vocabulary and
themes every 5-10 pages.
o Additional activities to encourage students to do while reading:
 Write 1-3 words they don’t know that they would like to look up.
 Write all the names of who they think are the most important people
in the chapter and review with class at the end
 Write details to describe the setting (time? Place? Weather? Etc..)
Lesson 44
Objectives
Students will:
• Review Rosa Parks Story
• Read Chapters 11-12
Materials:
• Rosa Parks: My Story
• Chapter Questions & Discussion (Novel Worksheets Tab)
Calendar Question (15 minutes)
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Activities:
(30 min) Review Chapter 10: Go over the names of characters, the setting, and any
problems that arose in this chapter.
(60 min) Pass out Vocabulary and Comprehension Questions (see Novel
Worksheets Tab) for Chapter 11-12, and assign words to pairs of students to look
up in dictionaries. Have each pair present their word and meaning. Each pair should
try to find their word in the text.
o If preferred, divide the chapter up and take breaks to discuss vocabulary and
themes every 5-10 pages.
o Additional activities to encourage students to do while reading:
 Write 1-3 words they don’t know that they would like to look up.
 Write all the names of who they think are the most important people
in the chapter and review with class at the end
 Write details to describe the setting (time? Place? Weather? Etc..)
Lesson 48
Objectives
Students will:
• Review Rosa Parks Story
• Watch first segment of Rosa Parks Movie
Materials:
• Rosa Parks: My Story
• DVD Player & TV
• Rosa Parks DVD Movie
Calendar Question (15 minutes)
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Activities:
(30 min) Try to elicit a general summary of the book, Chapter by Chapter. Write one
or two things on the board as students dig into the text. Ask questions such as:
o Who was Rosa Parks?
o Where did she live and did she have a good life?
o What problems arose?
(60 min) Watch first 45-60 minutes of Rosa Parks movie. Discuss characters, plot
and setting. Before watching, have students think about these questions (you can
write on the board):
o What is different about the book’s version of the story?
o Do the actors match the image and pictures of the main characters in the
book?
o What was your favorite scene so far?
o What problems arise for the characters in this part of the movie?
o How are the problems resolved?
Lesson 52
Objectives
Students will:
• Watch second segment of Rosa Parks Movie
• Celebrate the End of the Semester!
Materials:
• Rosa Parks: My Story
• DVD Player & TV
• Rosa Parks DVD Movie
Calendar Question (15 minutes)
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Activities:
(15 min) Elicit a general summary of the book as a warm-up. Write one or two
things on the board as students dig into the text. Ask questions such as:
o Who was Rosa Parks?
o Where did she live and did she have a good life?
o What problems arose?
(30 min) Watch the final segment of Rosa Parks movie. Discuss characters, plot and
setting. Before watching, have students think about these questions (you can write
on the board):
o What is different about the book’s version of the story?
o Do the actors match the image and pictures of the main characters in the
book?
o What was your favorite scene so far?
o What problems arise for the characters in this part of the movie?
o How are the problems resolved?
Party!