Webquest
March 1965

When you pray, move your feet.
African Proverb
Introduction
The Selma to Montgomery March was a significant event that took
place during the Civil Rights Movement during March 1965.
The event had profound effects that can be felt today.
Task
You are a group of journalists who have been sent to Selma, Alabama
to record the events that would be taking place during March 1965
as African Americans struggled for Civil Rights.
At the end of your assignment you will develop a special issue
on these events for your hometown paper.
Process
- Develop and assign the needed roles for each member of your
group in order to publish the edition of the newspaper. For
example: editor, news reporter, photographer, and writers.
- Write the articles.
- Edit the articles.
- Publish the newspaper; the newspaper can be in paper, video,
or multimedia format.
This special edition of your newspaper should contain the following
content
- timeline of the major events with brief explanations/pictures.
- maps that illustrate the March from Selma to Montgomery
- stories for each important event that occurred during this
significant period during the Civil Rights Movement.
- editorials and letters to the editor for the editorial page.
Web resources
http://www.cr.nps.gov/nr/travel/civilrights/al4.htm
http://www.msnbc.com/onair/modules/selma.asp?cp1=1
http://www.lbjlib.utexas.edu/johnson/archives.hom/speeches.hom/650315.asp
http://www.lbjlib.utexas.edu/johnson/lbjforkids/selma-mont.htm
http://www.lbjlib.utexas.edu/johnson/lbjforkids/civil_photos.htm
http://www.kodak.com/US/en/corp/features/moore/segregationFrame.shtml
http://www.kodak.com/US/en/corp/features/moore/chargeFrame.shtml
http://www.kodak.com/US/en/corp/features/moore/attackedFrame.shtml
View the Newsreel footage:
High Speed Internet Connection
Low Speed Internet Connection
Evaluation
Required components:
· Minimum of
5 articles |
10 points each |
· Timeline |
10 points |
· Maps |
5 points |
· Photographs |
5 points |
· Editorial Page |
10 points |
· Quality of writing |
10 points |
· Peer evaluation |
10 points |
Total Possible |
100 points |
Learning Advice
When writing your articles, incorporate the conditions of the
time. Here are samples of the kinds of questions you may want
to ask as you are researching:
- Who were the leaders in the march? Who were the supporters?
Who opposed them?
- Who were the important political figures? What were their
views?
- What political events took place prior to these events?
- What was life for a demonstrator like? (living conditions,
emotional condition, safety)
- What was the geography like, and did geography play any role
or have any influence in the march?
- What was the media of the time saying about the events?
Work together to develop your newspaper. Divide your tasks fairly,
but share ideas and suggestions.
Conclusion
After researching and creating your own newspaper for the Selma
to Montgomery march, discuss in class what influence you think
the media had on these events.
Reflection
What effect did the research you did to publish your newspaper
have on your knowledge of the Civil Rights Movement and the March
from Selma to Montgomery?
Extension
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was passed shortly after the March.
What role did the March play in this? Cite sources to support
your response. What were the effects of the Voting Rights Act?
Additional Resources:
http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/voting/intro/intro_a.htm
http://gi.grolier.com/presidents/aae/side/voterite.html
http://www.stanford.edu/group/King/about_king/encyclopedia/enc_civil_rights_bill.htm
For the Teacher
What is a Webquest?
A webquest is an inquiry-oriented activity in which most or all
of the information used by learners is drawn from the Web
Designed to :
- use learners' time well
- focus on using information rather than looking for it
- support learners' thinking at the levels of analysis, synthesis
and evaluation
Model was developed in early 1995 at San Diego State University
by Bernie Dodge with Tom March
Outcomes of this activity
Students will demonstrate cognitive and/or skill knowledge of
telecommunications, including locating information related to
the Selma to Montgomery March.
Standards Correlated
- Time, Continuity and Change (National Council for the Social
Studies, Strand II)
- People, Places and Environments (National Council for the
Social Studies, Strand III)
- Individuals, Groups and Institutions (National Council for
the Social Studies, Strand V)
- Power, Authority and Governance (National Council for the
Social Studies, Strand VI)
- How does the government established by the constitution embody
purposes, values, and principles of American democracy? (National
Standards for Civics and Government, Standard III)
- Explain the resistance to civil rights in the South between
1954 and 1965. [Identify issues and problems in the past]
National History Standards, 4A
Developed by: Alabama: Focus on Civil Rights Educators