The Two Rulings of Brown v. Board

Essential questions

• What is the relationship between political language and action?

• How are historical decisions altered or updated?

• How did the rulings of Brown v. Board influence desegregation?

Outcomes and objectives

After the lesson students will…

• Know the two rulings associated with Brown v. Board.

• Explain the differences between these two rulings.

• Evaluate the purposes and meaning of these two rulings.

Preparing to teach

• Students should have a preliminary knowledge of segregation, Jim Crow, desegregation, and the foundational details of Brown v. Board.

• Teachers should

  • print out copies of the attached worksheets for all students.

  • provide the attached links and resources to students in the most accessible manner.

Scaffolds and accommodations to support learners

Reading support

Teachers may provide vocabulary definitions, synonyms, or scaffolded reading to support students as they work with primary sources. Teachers may also edit the packet to allow students to represent their answers in methods beyond writing.

Differentiation

Teachers may elect to have students complete the attached packet with partners or small groups depending on their class. Teachers can also work through the primary sources as a whole class before encouraging students to answer the questions in the packet alone.

Adjusting for high school grades

This lesson is applicable to high school grades as it stands. Teachers may choose to edit the attached questions and explanations depending on their class.

Instructional activities sequence

1. Review any necessary information/history with students to prepare them for the content of the lesson.
2. Explain to students the procedure and intended outcomes of this investigation workshop. Explain that the worksheet packet will guide them through their learning.
3. Allow students time to work through the packet individually or with partners.
4. Regather the class and organize students in small groups. Invite them to discuss their answers to the last two questions on their packet.

Assessment

The concluding discussion is meant to refocus and solidify student understanding after the course of activities. Teachers may use this discussion to check in on student understanding and clarify questions/misconceptions.

Teachers may also collect and review worksheet packets after the conclusion of the lesson to check student learning.

Materials needed and additional resources for enrichment

• See attached links below.

The “End” to Brown v. Board: Source Investigation

Today we’re going to be looking at how the court case of Brown v. Board was closed and how its decisions were presented to the public. The following links and questions will walk you through an investigation to uncover the information yourself.

Start by reading the overview included at the top of this page: https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/brown-v-board-of-education.

1. How many rulings did Brown v. Board have?
2. Why were there additional rulings? What questions did people have after the first ruling?
3. What were some of the reactions after the second ruling?

Follow this link to open the text from the first ruling of Brown v. Board in 1954: https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/opinion-brown-v-board. Go to page 11 and read the first full paragraph on this page (it starts “We conclude…”).

1. What was the final decision of the Supreme Court in 1954?
2. What words and phrases does the Supreme Court use to describe segregation?
3. What words and phrases does the Supreme Court use to describe desegregation?

Now, follow this link to see the Supreme Court’s additional ruling for Brown II in 1955: https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/judgment-brown-v-board. Read page 1.

1. What was the final decision for Brown II in 1955?
2. What words and phrases does the Supreme Court use to describe segregation?
3. What words and phrases does the Supreme Court use to describe desegregation?

Consider the differences between these two rulings.

1. What do the two rulings have in common?
2. What are some differences between the two rulings?
3. Considering what you learned from the first website, WHY do you think there were two rulings?
4. Do you think Brown v. Board needed two rulings? Should it have had more or less?