Activity Overview
Introducing students to new terminology at the beginning of a history unit will help them better understand what they're learning about. In this activity, students will create a spider map that illustrates and defines key terms of the Civil Rights Movement. Students should be encouraged to select words they are more unfamiliar with, as this will help them expand their understand.
In an extension activity, teachers can display just the illustrations that students have created to the class, and have students guess which term it is. Students would be able to show off their creativity to their peers while being engaged in a challenging review activity to reinforce the main concepts from this unit.
Civil Rights Terms
- Boycott
- Segregation
- Equality
- Movement
- Non-Violence
- Legislative
- Community
- Oppression
- Provoke
- Expression
- Racism
- Prejudice
- Stereotype
- Sit-In
- Suffrage
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard describing and illustrating important terminology for the Civil Rights Movement.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- In the title, type in the term.
- In the description, type the definition as it relates to the Civil Rights Movement
- Create an illustration using appropriate scenes, items, and characters.
- Save and exit when you're done.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Definition | The definition is correct. | The definition is partially correct. | The definition is incorrect. |
| Visualizations | The storyboard cells clearly illustrate the meaning of the vocabulary words. | The storyboard cells relate to the meaning of the vocabulary words, but are difficult to understand. | The storyboard cells do not clearly relate to the meaning of the vocabulary words. |
Activity Overview
Introducing students to new terminology at the beginning of a history unit will help them better understand what they're learning about. In this activity, students will create a spider map that illustrates and defines key terms of the Civil Rights Movement. Students should be encouraged to select words they are more unfamiliar with, as this will help them expand their understand.
In an extension activity, teachers can display just the illustrations that students have created to the class, and have students guess which term it is. Students would be able to show off their creativity to their peers while being engaged in a challenging review activity to reinforce the main concepts from this unit.
Civil Rights Terms
- Boycott
- Segregation
- Equality
- Movement
- Non-Violence
- Legislative
- Community
- Oppression
- Provoke
- Expression
- Racism
- Prejudice
- Stereotype
- Sit-In
- Suffrage
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard describing and illustrating important terminology for the Civil Rights Movement.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- In the title, type in the term.
- In the description, type the definition as it relates to the Civil Rights Movement
- Create an illustration using appropriate scenes, items, and characters.
- Save and exit when you're done.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Definition | The definition is correct. | The definition is partially correct. | The definition is incorrect. |
| Visualizations | The storyboard cells clearly illustrate the meaning of the vocabulary words. | The storyboard cells relate to the meaning of the vocabulary words, but are difficult to understand. | The storyboard cells do not clearly relate to the meaning of the vocabulary words. |
How Tos about Civil Rights Vocabulary
How to facilitate meaningful classroom discussions using Civil Rights vocabulary
Encourage open dialogue by creating a safe environment for students to share ideas and questions about Civil Rights terminology. Use prompts and guiding questions to help students connect new vocabulary to historical events and their own experiences. This approach deepens understanding and fosters critical thinking.
Set clear discussion guidelines
Establish respectful communication norms before beginning. Review expectations for listening, disagreeing respectfully, and supporting opinions with evidence so all students feel comfortable participating.
Use vocabulary in real-life scenarios
Present relatable scenarios that incorporate Civil Rights terms. Ask students to explain how words like 'boycott' or 'oppression' apply in the examples, making abstract concepts more concrete and memorable.
Promote peer-to-peer questioning
Have students ask each other questions about the vocabulary. This encourages active listening and deeper engagement, while providing opportunities for students to clarify and reinforce their understanding.
Conclude with reflective prompts
End discussions with thought-provoking questions like, 'How might understanding these terms influence our actions today?' This helps students synthesize learning and relate it to broader themes.
Frequently Asked Questions about Civil Rights Vocabulary
What is a spider map for teaching Civil Rights vocabulary?
A spider map is a visual organizer where students place a central concept, such as 'Civil Rights Vocabulary,' in the center and branch out with key terms and their definitions. This helps students visually connect and understand important words related to the Civil Rights Movement.
How can I introduce Civil Rights vocabulary to middle or high school students?
Start by presenting key Civil Rights terms and encourage students to choose unfamiliar words. Have them define and illustrate each term using a storyboard or spider map. This approach makes the vocabulary meaningful and easier to remember.
What are some essential Civil Rights Movement vocabulary words for students?
Essential Civil Rights vocabulary includes terms like boycott, segregation, equality, movement, non-violence, legislative, community, oppression, provoke, expression, racism, prejudice, stereotype, sit-in, and suffrage.
What is a fun way to review Civil Rights terms in class?
Display students' illustrated vocabulary boards without the terms and have the class guess each word. This interactive game reinforces understanding while allowing students to show creativity and engage with peers.
Why is teaching Civil Rights vocabulary important before starting the unit?
Introducing Civil Rights vocabulary early helps students better comprehend historical events and concepts, supports critical thinking, and ensures they can engage meaningfully with the unit content.
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