Lesson Plan

White Water Lesson Plan

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An African American boy drinks from a water fountain.

White Water

Cover Illustration by Sharda Strickland

Grade Level:
Lower Elementary: Pre-Kindergarten through Second Grade
Subject:
Social Studies
Lesson Duration:
30 Minutes
Common Core Standards:
1.L.1, 2.L.1, 3.L.1, 3.L.3
State Standards:
Kansas State Social Studies Standards:
• First Grade- Families (rights and responsibilities)
• Second Grade- Then and Now (continuity and change)
• Third Grade: Communities (identities, beliefs, and practices)
Thinking Skills:
Remembering: Recalling or recognizing information ideas, and principles. Understanding: Understand the main idea of material heard, viewed, or read. Interpret or summarize the ideas in own words. Applying: Apply an abstract idea in a concrete situation to solve a problem or relate it to a prior experience. Analyzing: Break down a concept or idea into parts and show the relationships among the parts. Creating: Bring together parts (elements, compounds) of knowledge to form a whole and build relationships for NEW situations. Evaluating: Make informed judgements about the value of ideas or materials. Use standards and criteria to support opinions and views.

Essential Question

What problems might happen if the main character makes a choice that could get him into trouble?

Objective

How the main character’s curiosity led him to "break the law" during the time of segregation because he wanted to drink from a White-only water fountain. He didn't understand why he couldn't use the same fountain as White people, so his desire to know more and challenge the unfair rules made him act in a way that went against the laws of segregation.

Background

The teacher will introduce key vocabulary words from the book and explain their meanings. Students be introduced to White Water which follows a young boy named Michael as he seeks to determine it water from segregated fountains tastes different.

Preparation

The teacher will introduce key vocabulary words from the book and explain their meanings. Students be introduced to White Water which follows a young boy named Michael as he seeks to determine it water from segregated fountains tastes different.

Materials

MS Word Document version of the White Water lesson plan

Download White Water Lesson Plan

Lesson Hook/Preview

How the main character’s curiosity led him to "break the law" during the time of segregation because he wanted to drink from a White-only water fountain. He didn't understand why he couldn't use the same fountain as White people, so his desire to know more and challenge the unfair rules made him act in a way that went against the laws of segregation.

Procedure

The teacher and students will read White Water aloud. During the reading, the teacher will check for understanding. Students will answer high order questions, use a graphic chart to document the main idea of the text, and participate in grand discussions.

Vocabulary

  1. segregation: separating or keeping people apart because of their race
  2. Jim Crow laws: state and local laws that allowed racial segregation in the United States
  3. gritty: full of grit or sand
  4. mule: a cross between a donkey and a horse
  5. rust: a type of corrosion
  6. coin slot: a narrow opening in a machine where coins can be inserted
  7. gulp: to drink something quickly
  8. dibs: the right to choose something
  9. fare: the money a passenger on public transportation must pay

Assessment Materials

White Water Quiz

Multiple Choice Quiz recalling contents of the White Water story elements.

In the story White Water, who is the main character?

  1. The water fountains
  2. Grandma
  3. Michael
  4. Dad
Where does the story take place?
  1. Chicago
  2. In a small-town during segregation
  3. New York
  4. Washington D.C.
What is Michael curious about in the story?
  1. What food tastes best
  2. What water from a segregated fountain tastes like
  3. How buses work
  4. Why are people going into town
What does Michael do to satisfy his curiosity about segregated water fountains?
  1. He asks his grandmother about the fountains
  2. He drinks water from the white-only drinking fountain
  3. He takes a long bus ride into the city
  4. He writes a letter to the governor
What is the main lesson Michael learns from his experience at the water fountain?
  1. The same rusty pipes were used to supply water to both water fountains
  2. The water tastes better when it is fresh
  3. Some rules are fair and should be followed
  4. The water from the white-only drinking fountain was the best tasting water in town.

Rubric/Answer Key

  1. C) Michael
  2. B) In a small-town during segregation
  3. C) What water from a segregated fountain tastes like
  4. B) He drinks water from the white-only drinking fountain
  5. A) The same rusty pipes were used to supply water to both water fountains

Contact Information

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Tags: civil rights african american history

Last updated: December 14, 2024