Brown V Board of Education

WEBQUEST

Almonte, Kelvin

C.S 133

Introduction:

In Topeka, Kansas, during the years of segregation, a girl named Linda Brown and her family lived when the state of Kansas had passed a law that permitted the school to be segregated. At that time, Linda was attending a school just for colored children. Even though there was a school for white children only five blocks from Linda’s house, she had to ride 21 blocks to the colored school that was old and had a shortage of staff and material. Linda’s parents felt that the school for the white children was a better school than the one Linda was attending. Mr. And Mrs. Brown went to Federal Court to get the school for the white children to allow Linda to attend. The Federal Court ruled against the Brown’s. However, they appealed this decision to the Supreme Court and as a result won in this landmark decision.

Task:

In a mock trial, you have been hired by the Brown family to represent their daughter Linda in court. You will be representing her to the Supreme Court to appeal the Federal Court Decision. You will have to present an argument to the Supreme Court, on Linda’s behalf so she will be able to attend an all white school.

Procedure:

Read and understand the case. (see resource below)

Based on this reading prepare your argument to help you win the case

Engage in a mock trail with the class

Present a strong concrete argument in a role-play situation.

The teacher is one of the Supreme Court Judges along with eight other “Justices.” The class will be divided into roles, like lawyers, the judges, Linda and her family (defendant), the Plaintiff, the audience, the court reporter and other court officers. The classroom will be set up like a courtroom.

Once the case is argued, the Justices will meet and come back with their final Decision.

Resources:

https://www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/scales/brown.html

https://www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/howto.html

Evaluation:

The students will be evaluated by the teacher, based upon whether or not they have thoroughly researched their roles and made their case during the mock trial. Furthermore, the case will be recorded using a video camera. The tape will be shown to the entire class in which time, students will record any important details and information. Students will have to answer ten short essay questions to make sure they have the knowledge to know how a mock trial works and if they know the facts of the Brown v. Board of Education case. In addition the will analyze and critically think of there own view of the case.

1. What was so important in this specific case?

2. How has it influenced the way education is perceived today?

3. Discuss in details how you portray Linda, and her family must have felt during the time of there case.

4. Should parents have a legal right to send their children to the school of their choice? Explain and support your answer.

5. Why is it important for every child to receiver the best education possible, and do you believe segregation still excites in today modern time?

6. After exploring and evaluating the case in your opinion did the Supreme Court make a far decision?

7. Do you feel this case has changed your own belief about your own education?

8. Has this case influenced you in either a positive or negative way?

9. If Brown vs. the Board of Education took place today do you feel the results would be the same oppose to how it took place back in 1954.

10. Give two examples of how the end of segregation has changed our public school system.

Conclusion:

After participating in the mock trial the students will have a better understanding of how the judicial process works in terms of a mock trial, and the Supreme Court specifically. They will also have gained knowledge about the facts around the Brown vs. the Board of Education case.

Standards:

Social Studies

Civics, Citizenship and Government.

5-2 Students value the principles, ideals and core value of the American democratic system based upon the premise of human dignity, liberty, justice and equality.

5-4 Students respect the rights of others in discussions and classroom.

Language Arts

E1 Reading

E1d Read aloud fluently.

E3 Speaking, Listening and Viewing

E3b Participate in group meetings.

E3c Prepare and deliver individual presentation.

E3d Make informed judgments about TV, radio, film.

E4 Conventions, Grammar and Usage of the English language.

E4a Demonstrate an understanding of the rules of the English Language in written and oral work.

E4b Analyze and subsequently revise work to improve its clarity and effectiveness.