Develop the background knowledge of your students by sharing a historic event from each day. This post gives you an event which occurred each day in history from May 18-24. An online link for each day is also included.
In this blog post you will find Plessy v. Ferguson, Guantanamo Bay, Hubble Telescope, Plato, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Bonnie and Clyde, and the Brooklyn Bridge.
May 18–Plessy vs. Ferguson
The Supreme Court ruled separate but equal facilities constitutional in Plessy v Ferguson on May 18, 1896.
PBS Newshour Extra has a comprehensive lesson on Brown v Board of Education. The lesson begins with an education questionnaire to develop interest and an article (with discussion questions) about Linda Brown. There is a 10 minute film on human rights and a video worksheet. The main activities include school comparisons, an interactive timeline, and a biography of Barbara Johns. There are activities which include the reactions of others (such as Robert F. Kennedy). The class analyzes the Prince Edward school closings. Included is a report by the Department of Education concluding students of color face systemic racism in public schools. There is also a short (3 min) UNESCO video “57 million children out of school.” It will be a good catalyst for discussion.
May 19–Guantanamo Bay
Six detainees were injured at Guantanamo Bay in a violent uprising May 19, 2006.
CBC, A Canadian public broadcast service produced the History of Guantanamo Bay, looking back on the history of the Guantanamo Bay Detention Camp and the treatment of the people held there.
May 20–Hubble Telescope
May 20, 1990 the Hubble Telescope sent images from space back to Earth.
Hubblesite.org is sponsored by NASA and includes, news, images, and video. There is a QUICK FACTS section, information about the mission of the Hubble Space Telescope, information about Hubble partners, constellations and month sky guides, and teaching resources.
May 21–Plato
Plato, one of the world’s best known philosophers is reported to have been born on or around May 21 in 427 BC.
TED-Ed offers a video of Plato’s Allegory of the Cave from Book VII of The Republic. The video lasts just under 5 minutes and includes 5 multiple choice and 3 short answer questions, additional resources (lecture, clay animation, Orson Welles representation, or a summary of the Theory of Forms), and a guided discussion question.
May 22–Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, creator of Sherlock Holmes was born on May 22.
Download this pdf of the Non-Verbal Communication Activity. The lesson includes an introductory activity, an article “Adventures of Sherlock Holmes,” an “object language” lesson using material objects, observation of 10 minutes of silent television, and a lesson with advertisement.
May 23–Bonnie and Clyde
May 23, 1934 policemen ambush the notorious robbers and murderers Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow.
C-Span features two video clips, “Bonnie and Clyde and Mystique of Outlaw Mentality” to show your students more about Bonnie and Clyde, their crimes, and their impact.
May 24–Brooklyn Bridge
The Brooklyn Bridge opened May 24, 1883.
A comprehensive lesson from National Teacher Training Institute gives step by step instructions for a lesson “The Big Bridge Scheme: The Building and Impact of the Brooklyn Bridge.” The lesson uses primary sources, a poem, and a video to hep students understand the history of the Brooklyn Bridge and its impact on society.
