Barbara W. Winters
Three Mothers in the Civil Rights Era
“The Medgar Evers Story”
Goal
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to acquaint students with the real experiences of three women of historical significance
Objective
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to delineate good single parenting
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to use the block schedule or longer period and another regular period to cover print and electronic materials
Summary of Content
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Students will be introduced to the widows of Medgar Evers, Malcolm X, and Martin Luther King in an effort to show how good parenting can be accomplished in the wake of the tragic death of a mate or father.
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Materials and Resources
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There are at least two film versions of the death of Medgar Evers. Both show family life as well as scene of the children and parents together. Both also present vivid snapshots of the mothers and their public and private lives. The movies are “Ghosts of Mississippi” with Whoopi Goldberg and “The Medgar Evers Story.”
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There are also actual newsclips which may be shown here.
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television and vcr with pause button
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The May 1997 issue of Upscale Magazine contains an article about the three women. The teacher will need copies of this article and copies of the cover for classroom display. In addition, six copies of the complete magazine should be available in the classroom.
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It is suggested that a color copy of the Upscale cover be enlarged and left
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hanging in the classroom for four to six weeks.
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Day One
Motivation/Warm Up - 10 minutes
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Display the photo of the three women.
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Pose the question - can you tell me who these women are? Ask why they are so important to be placed on the cover of a magazine and in an article called “Mothers of the Movement.”
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Tell the students to look for good parenting skills displayed by Mrs. Myrlie Evers before and after her husband’s tragic assassination. Let them know that the video will be put on pause at their request. Time will be allowed for a brief
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comment or question.
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Tell the students that the Day One lesson will concentrate on the video and they will report on the printed article on each woman for Day Two.
Activity 60 minutes
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Show selected family scenes from the movie, including the brutal slaying of Medgar Evers, after appropriate preparation. Allow pauses for brief discussion. What did Evers’ work mean for the country? What were his family considerations? Did he allow his wife to operate as the sole authority for the children, while he worked with the NAACP?
Home or Seat Assignment 20 minutes
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Ask the students to locate other information about or pictures of the three women and their children in magazines and newspapers. The articles and pictures can be mounted and hung around the room.
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Students will be asked to tell the last known occupation and other information on the three women in the next class and to participate in reporting on the three women. Small groups or pairs will each receive a copy of the article. They will be asked to prepare an oral presentation on the person for the following day’s class. Allow 10 minutes for them to plan their presentations.
Day Two
Warm Up/Motivation - 10 minutes
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Ask if any new information was uncovered. Are there any questions?
Activity 30 minutes
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Have three students or small groups retell the story of each of the three mothers and give their critique of the article in a ten minute report. What did they find out about the three mothers?
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Home or seat assignment
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Students should seek an adult over 45 or 50 years old and interview them about Medgar Evers, Malcolm X, or
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Martin Luther King.
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Do you recall anything about the families of the heroes?
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How did their deaths affect the families?
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Were they good parents? Why do you say that?
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What is a good parent?
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Tell me about the successes of their children.
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Conclusion
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It may prove difficult to focus the conversation on positive parenting, once the students see the murder.
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The teacher should be prepared to follow up on any conversation about tragedy in the personal lives of the individual students. In fact, ready resources, like clinical social workers, should know that the subject of tragic death will be broached so that quick referrals are available.
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This lesson may open up a topic very close to some in the class. In most cases, the students are and will be single parents. In addition, several may have experienced some personal tragic separation from the other parent or another family member.
Evaluation
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Both recall and thought questions will appear on marking period, mid term and final examinations.
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Some students may discuss the circumstances of their own birth with their families and bring that information to subsequent classes