
Equality Campaign: Historical Civil Rights on Social Media
Inquiry Framework
Question Framework
Driving Question
The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we create a social media campaign that connects historical civil rights events and figures with contemporary social justice movements to effectively advocate for equality and justice?Essential Questions
Supporting questions that break down major concepts.- What are the historical civil rights issues that have shaped today's society?
- How can social media be effectively used to advocate for equality and justice?
- What are the roles of major events, people, and legislation in the Civil Rights Movement?
- How have Supreme Court decisions impacted civil rights throughout history?
- In what ways can students draw parallels between historical civil rights issues and contemporary social justice movements?
Standards & Learning Goals
Learning Goals
By the end of this project, students will be able to:- Students will understand key historical events, figures, and legislation from the Civil Rights Movement and their impact on contemporary society.
- Students will develop skills to critically analyze historical and contemporary social justice issues through various media.
- Students will create a digital campaign that effectively communicates the importance of equality and justice using historical context.
- Students will evaluate and compare historical and modern strategies for advocating social justice.
- Students will practice digital literacy skills by producing and managing content for a social media platform.
Common Core Standards
C3 Framework for Social Studies
State Standards for History
Entry Events
Events that will be used to introduce the project to studentsSocial Media ‘Breaking News’ Challenge
Kick off with simulated 'breaking news' alerts about historical civil rights events appearing on students' phones. They'll be tasked with investigating and 'reporting' these events on a class social media platform, exploring deeply the wider context and impacts on modern society.Activist Instagram Handle: Who Would You Follow?
Present students with a selection of social media profiles featuring historical activists and ask them to choose who they would 'follow' based on their interests and values. This personal connection challenges them to consider today's activism in comparison to historic efforts.Portfolio Activities
Portfolio Activities
These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.News Alert Investigator
Students will investigate 'breaking news' alerts related to historical civil rights events, mimicking modern social media updates. This task encourages them to understand the context and gather relevant information surrounding these events.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityAn investigative report detailing the civil rights event and its significance, showcasing students' ability to gather and synthesize historical information.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligned with CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.9-10.1 as students cite evidence from sources to analyze historical events.Activist Profile Deep Dive
Students will delve into the lives of historical civil rights activists by analyzing fictional social media profiles. This activity helps students connect personally with historical figures.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA presentation comparing a historical activist's contributions to current social justice movements.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsSupports D2.His.14.9-12 as students analyze the impact and effects of civil rights activists' work.Campaign Blueprint Workshop
In this activity, students will draft the blueprint for their social media campaign, focusing on tactical use of platforms to convey messages rooted in historical context.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA comprehensive blueprint detailing the entire social media campaign strategy.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.9-10.6 as students utilize technology to plan online publishing and align historical context with modern digital practices.Digital Campaign Production
Students will create the digital content envisioned in their campaign blueprints, using various media to communicate their messages effectively.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA set of polished social media posts ready for publication, demonstrating fluency in digital literacy and communication.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsSupports SS.HS.H.1 as students evaluate and produce content grounded in historical context; also aligns with CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.9-10.6.Campaign Reflection and Evaluation
Students will assess their campaign's effectiveness by analyzing peer feedback and self-reflecting on the process and outcomes, identifying areas for improvement.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA reflection document that evaluates the campaign's success and articulates future goals for advocacy.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with D2.Civ.2.9-12 as students evaluate the effectiveness of advocacy efforts, drawing parallels with historical strategies.Rubric & Reflection
Portfolio Rubric
Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolioSocial Media Campaign for Equality Rubric
Historical Analysis
Assessment of students' ability to analyze and synthesize historical events, figures, and legislation.Understanding of Historical Context
Assesses the depth of understanding and accuracy in analyzing historical civil rights events.
Exemplary
4 PointsShows sophisticated understanding of historical contexts, making insightful connections between past events and contemporary issues.
Proficient
3 PointsDemonstrates thorough understanding with accurate and clear connections between historical events and modern issues.
Developing
2 PointsShows basic understanding with some accurate connections, though there are gaps in analysis.
Beginning
1 PointsDemonstrates initial understanding; connections are incomplete or inaccurate.
Use of Sources
Evaluates the ability to utilize primary and secondary sources effectively in research.
Exemplary
4 PointsCritically evaluates and effectively incorporates a diverse range of sources to enrich campaign content.
Proficient
3 PointsUses multiple credible sources effectively, maintaining accuracy and diversity in information.
Developing
2 PointsUses limited sources with basic analysis, occasionally affecting accuracy.
Beginning
1 PointsRelies on few sources with minimal analysis, affecting credibility and depth.
Digital Literacy
Evaluation of students' ability to effectively create and manage digital content that communicates historical context and advocacy messages.Content Creation and Design
Assesses the quality and creativity of the digital content produced.
Exemplary
4 PointsProduces outstanding digital content that is visually appealing, innovative, and clearly conveys messages.
Proficient
3 PointsCreates quality digital content that effectively communicates campaign messages with some creative elements.
Developing
2 PointsProduces basic digital content with unclear message communication and limited creative effort.
Beginning
1 PointsCreates minimal content with ineffective design and unclear messaging.
Use of Technology
Evaluates the proficiency in utilizing digital tools and platforms for campaign purposes.
Exemplary
4 PointsDemonstrates advanced use of digital tools and platforms, enhancing the effectiveness and reach of the campaign.
Proficient
3 PointsEffectively uses digital tools to deliver campaign content, with satisfactory integration of features.
Developing
2 PointsInconsistently uses technology tools, resulting in basic or limited effectiveness.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles with technology use, resulting in ineffective content delivery.
Advocacy and Reflection
Assessment of students' ability to advocate for social justice and reflect on the effectiveness of their efforts.Campaign Impact and Advocacy
Evaluates how well the campaign advocates for equality and justice, connecting historical context with modern efforts.
Exemplary
4 PointsCampaign powerfully advocates for social justice, with strong connections to historical context and clearly articulated goals.
Proficient
3 PointsEffectively advocates for justice with clear historical connections and well-defined objectives.
Developing
2 PointsDemonstrates basic advocacy with some unclear or incomplete connections to history.
Beginning
1 PointsShows limited advocacy efforts with unclear objectives and minimal historical connections.
Reflection and Evaluation
Assesses the ability to reflect on campaign process, peer feedback, and future improvement strategies.
Exemplary
4 PointsProvides deep and insightful reflection, integrating peer feedback with clear plans for future advocacy enhancement.
Proficient
3 PointsOffers thoughtful reflection with actionable improvement strategies based on feedback.
Developing
2 PointsIncludes basic reflection with limited integration of feedback and vague improvement plans.
Beginning
1 PointsShows minimal reflection and lacks actionable improvement plans based on feedback.