Ethnic Studies · Week 9 · Histories and Movements in California
Mendez Before Brown
Studying how Mexican American families in Mendez v. Westminster used the courts in 1946 and 1947 to challenge school segregation in California, and identifying lawful, principled ways to address unfairness.
- Students will
- Students explain how Mexican American families in Mendez v. Westminster challenged school segregation in California in 1946 and 1947, and identify the lawful, principled steps they used to address unfairness.
- SEL skill
- Weigh fairness and consequences before choosing a lawful way to address a problem
- What it looks like
- Students practice responsible decision-making by weighing fairness, consequences, and lawful ways to address a problem.
- Content focus
- Mendez before Brown
- Format
- Small group problem-solving
Responsible decision-making
Responsible decision-making means making caring, constructive choices by thinking about ethics, safety, and the consequences for yourself and others. More responsible decision-making activities
What you get
A teacher guide with what to say, step by step, plus student pages and a supports page for students with diverse learning needs, including those with IEPs. Print or Project it, or assign it in Google Forms and Google Docs for Google Classroom. Your first 10 activities are free.
Standards
- ESMC.Social Movements and Equity: California Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum theme, Social Movements and Equity
- CA HSS Analysis Skill: HI1 Show the connections between particular historical events and larger social, economic, and political trends. (Historical Interpretation)
- C3 Framework (national): D2.His.3.9-12 Use questions about individuals and groups to assess how the significance of their actions changes over time and is shaped by context.
- Literacy in history: RH.9-10.9 Compare and contrast treatments of the same topic in several primary and secondary sources.
More responsible decision-making activities for Ethnic Studies
- Laws That Shaped Neighborhoods Responsible decision-makingExamining how practices like redlining and California's alien land laws shaped where families could live and own land, while comparing historians' interpretations of their lasting effects.
- Many Views on Fairness Responsible decision-makingReading thoughtful writers who disagree about how best to achieve fairness in schools and communities, and practicing summarizing each view so well that its holders would agree.
- Taking Action in Our Community Responsible decision-makingResearching a local issue from several community perspectives and planning a respectful, lawful action that invites people with different views to the table.
Previous: Japanese American Incarceration · Next: Voices of the Bracero Program
RoseThread Connect activities are drafted with the help of AI and shaped by educators. Students never have to share anything personal. Our five SEL skills are informed by CASEL's SEL Framework; RoseThread Learning is not affiliated with or endorsed by CASEL.