Elementary II

During the months of January and February, the Elementary II students learned about and honored a variety of civil rights events and activists.  They expressed their own thoughts and feelings about this pivotal time in our nation’s history and had the opportunity to visit with Mr. Sonny Hereford (one of the first children to integrate in the Huntsville City School System).  Below are some of the thoughts and quotes from the children and their journal entries:

“I would help Martin Luther King, Jr.  I would walk and not ride the bus.  I would join the bus boycott.  They were a huge help for Martin Luther King, Jr. and the civil rights movement.” H.P., 3rd grade

“I would be in the marches during the civil rights movement.  In the marches you walk to the city holding signs.  There might be some signs that say ‘freedom’ or ‘This is not fair.’  That is why I want to be in the marches.” E.M., 3rd grade

“Prior to 1954, segregation in schools was acceptable in the United States.  In 1954, Brown v. the Board of Education  ruled out segregation.  It was illegal to segregate schools.

On November 14, 1960, Ruby Bridges went to William Frantz Elementary.  She did not know how the day would be.  An angry mob met her.  They shouted cruel and horrid things to Ruby as she arrived…” N.R., 5th grade

Our studies in class sparked individual interest in several of the children.  They have been checking out books about Rosa Parks, The March on Washington, and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  The children’s inquisitiveness has sparked many great classroom discussions.  Educating future generations about peace, positivity, and proactiveness is the best way to extinguish adversity in the future.

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Have cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”  Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.