Autographs

The Mobile Press

The New York Times

Jet

The Montgomery Advertiser

Mini-Lesson

Purpose: Students compare newspaper accounts of Fannie Motley's graduation with the historical understanding they created when examining her autograph book.

Procedure:

1. Link students to The Mobile Press article to see a photograph of Fannie Motley. Allow students 7-10 minutes to examine four newspaper accounts of her graduation.
2. Then check understanding with questions like the following:

• Identify the sources used.
• Which questions from the autographs pages were answered by the newspaper accounts?
• What information do the newspaper accounts add to your knowledge of Fannie Motley's graduation?
• What information do these sources add to your understanding of the historical context of her graduation

The inquiry portion of the lesson is finished. Students should be at a "teachable moment." To recreate the historical context of Fannie Motley's graduation, ask students name important people, places, and events of the American Civil Rights Movement. Press students to give a year for each response.

Students are ready for direct instruction on the Civil Rights Movement.

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