JOHN LEWIS LESSON PLAN
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John Lewis

30-minute lesson plan honoring Civil Rights Activist John Lewis using MY HERO multimedia resources. Discussion questions are included.

John Lewis 30 Minute Lesson Plan
Credit: MY HERO

Students watch the following two films to learn about John Lewis and the Civil Rights Movement. Then consider the discussion questions. 

Citizenship

Produced by:Anson Schloat and John G. Young

John Lewis, U.S. Congressman, speaks about the importance of being a good citizen. (5:45 minutes run time)

Get in the Way [Trailer]

Produced by:Dir. Kathleen Dowdey

In 1965, the historic Selma March known as Bloody Sunday was a turning point in the Civil Rights Movement. John Lewis, then a young student, co-led hundreds of peaceful marchers seeking voting rights for African Americans in the South. (2:00 minutes run time)


Discussion Questions:

1. In the film Citizenship, Congressman John Lewis states when the laws conflict with our conscience, we have an obligation to disobey the laws. Do you agree or disagree with Lewis?

2. What character traits do you think a good citizen possesses?

Students analyze the artwork below.

Notice that the double portrait by St. George depicts John Lewis after the first attempt to march from Selma to Montgomery for voting rights on March 7, 1965, when his skull was fractured, and then as a congressman. Interested students may want to research "Bloody Sunday" for more information about the first march from Selma. 

John Lewis Portrait

By: Saint George
John Robert Lewis is an American politician and civil rights leader. He is the U.S. Representative for Georgia's 5th congressional district, serving since 1987, and is the dean of the Georgia congressional delegation.
Civil Rights hero John Lewis as painted by Robert Shetterly
Congressman John Lewis by Robert Shetterly
Credit: Robert Shetterly

Read or listen to the story by Kathy Crockett to learn more about John Lewis. 

John Lewis

By: Kathy Crockett, MY HERO
John Lewis has worked for civil rights for all for over 40 years.

John Lewis

By: The My Hero Project

No one had to tell John to stand up for what he believed was right. An audio version of the story.

Excerpt from the MY HERO Book: John Lewis writes about how his hero Martin Luther King Jr. inspired him.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

By: John Lewis

Congressman John Lewis talks about how his hero Martin Luther King, Jr. inspired him as a young man during the Civil Rights Movement.

Who is your hero? Students are invited to submit their own stories, art and short films honoring their heroes or sign our Guestbook. 

Sing Our Guestbook
Credit: MY HERO

How to use MY HERO's Create Program to Publish Stories, Art, Film and Audio for Students

Tutorial for students: Publish written stories, film, original artwork and audio in MY HERO's multimedia library.

Create Program
Credit: MY HERO

Additional Resources for Students Who Want to Learn More About the Civil Rights Movement.

Black History Month } Civil Rights Heroes and World Leaders
Credit: National Archives at College Park [CC0] via Wikimedia Commons

Organizer created on 3/29/2022 2:00:43 PM by Laura Nietzer

Last edited 1/10/2024 12:28:26 PM by Laura Nietzer

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