During the Jim Crow era, education was an important component of the aspirations of African Americans. Many prominent African American leaders were nationally recognized educators, and their theories of education often mirrored their strategies in dealing with Jim Crow. In addition, many of the key battles in the struggle to overturn Jim Crow centered on equal access to education. This lesson plan considers the role education played in the struggle against Jim Crow.

Grade Level:
Grades 7-8

Time Allotment:
Five class periods

Subject Matter:
Economic History, African American History, Civil Rights, Economic History

Learning Objectives:
Students will be able to:

• Understand the relationship between Jim Crow laws and the economic conditions of African Americans.
• Consider the manner in which economic conditions change over time.
• Understand the relationship between economic power and political power.

Standards:
Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning
http://www.mcrel.org/

United States History Standard and Benchmarks

MCREL Standard 15, Level IV (Grade 9-12) Understands factors that inhibited and fostered African American attempts to improve their lives during Reconstruction. MCREL Standard 15, Level IV (Grade 9-12) Understands social and economic factors during and toward the end of Reconstruction.

Historical Understanding Standard and Benchmarks

MCREL Standard 2, Level IV (Grade 9-12) Analyzes the effects specific decisions had on history and studies how things might have been different in the absence of those decisions. MCREL Standard 1, Level IV (Grade 9-12) Understands historical continuity and change related to a particular development or theme.

This lesson was prepared by: Thomas Thurston

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