Procedure

This lesson should follow a brief introduction of the history of Rosa Parks.  During this lesson draw on any prior knowledge that the students may have.

For background information on Rosa Parks visit

Scholastic Teacher
http://teacher.scholastic.com/rosa/sittingdown.htm

The Hall of Public Service
Profile:  http://www.achievement.org/autodoc/page/par0pro-1
Biography: http://www.achievement.org/autodoc/page/par0bio-1

Begin the lesson by reviewing information the students already know about Rosa Parks.  Then ask them if they know how Rosa Parks felt or what she thought about her arrest and the Montgomery Bus Boycott? Tell them that they are going to be reporters.  Reporters dig deeper into a persons life to find out more about how people think or feel? They cannot interview Rosa Parks in person, but they can access the interviews she has given other people on the web.  Their job is to write their own news story about Rosa Parks. 

Before they start, brainstorm some ideas about what would be important to include in their stories.

Give students a note taking sheet so that they will be able to organize their information about Rosa Parks. Some methods they may use are to web ideas, make an outline, make a list of important quotes.  Tell them you must see their notes before they start writing their story. 

Provide them with questions to consider while taking notes.  Such as
            Why did I choose this piece of information to write down?
            Does this piece of information help me understand Rosa Parks?
            How does it connect to other events in her life or in the world around her?

Then allow them to read the interviews either on paper or by visiting these sites.

Interview with the Academy of Achievement

Interview with students from Scholastic

Before giving the students this interview, read to make sure they will understand all of the terms Rosa Parks uses such as emancipation.

Follow your own writing procedures you use in your classroom.

Optional Follow - up

After the students have read the interviews of Rosa Parks, have them read a textbook version of her story.  Compare and contrast the information given in all the accounts.  Then weigh the pros and cons of each type of source of historical information.