Lesson Plan: Causes of the Black Lives Matter Movement in the United States
Subject: History
Year Level: 11
Duration: 30 Minutes
Lesson Objectives
- Understand the historical context leading to the Black Lives Matter movement.
- Identify key events and figures that contributed to racial injustice in the United States.
- Discuss the implications of systemic racism and its impact on society.
Materials Needed
- Projector and screen for presentations
- Handouts with key terms and discussion questions
- Markers and whiteboard for note-taking
- Access to articles and video clips related to the Black Lives Matter movement
Lesson Outline
1. Introduction (5 minutes)
- Engage Students: Begin with a brief discussion on what students know about the Black Lives Matter movement. Ask questions like:
- "What do you know about its origins?"
- "Why do you think protests are effective?"
- Transition: Introduce the lesson's focus on the historical causes of the movement.
2. Historical Context (10 minutes)
- Lecture Segment: Discuss the historical background that led to the Black Lives Matter movement. Key points to include:
- Civil Rights Movement (1960s): Highlight major events, such as the Civil Rights Act and significant figures like Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X.
- Continued Racial Injustice: Explain how systemic racism and police brutality persisted after the Civil Rights era.
- Key Incidents: Discuss events leading to the movement’s formation, such as the deaths of Trayvon Martin (2012), Michael Brown (2014), and Eric Garner (2014).
3. Key Terms and Concepts (5 minutes)
- Provide students with handouts of key terms, including:
- Systemic Racism
- Police Brutality
- White Privilege
- Intersectionality
- Class Activity: In pairs, have students discuss the meaning of each term and how they relate to racial justice discussions.
4. Group Activity: Discussion and Reflection (7 minutes)
- Divide students into small groups. Each group will discuss the following questions:
- "How do historical events influence modern movements for justice?"
- "What role does social media play in bringing awareness to issues of racial injustice?"
- Encourage groups to share their thoughts with the class after discussions.
5. Conclusion and Q&A (3 minutes)
- Summarise the key points discussed in the lesson.
- Open the floor for students to ask any remaining questions.
- Encourage students to reflect on how the issues discussed extend beyond the United States and relate to global movements for equality.
Assessment
- Participation in group discussions.
- Completion of a reflection handout detailing one new thing learned and one question still lingering after the lesson.
Homework/Extension Activity
- Assign students to research a current event related to racial justice and prepare a short summary of how it connects to the historical causes discussed in class.
This lesson plan adheres to Australian educational standards and encourages critical thinking and engagement with important social issues through a historical lens.