Who were Rosa Parks and Nelson Mandela? - Teacher's Notes

Rosa Parks and Nelson Mandela are two pivotal figures in history known for their courageous stand against racial discrimination and their fight for civil rights. Teachers are encouraged to introduce their students to Rosa Parks by viewing educational video clips. After watching, students are asked to engage in a creative activity where they work in groups of four to recreate the iconic moment when Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a bus using Plasticine or Playdoh. Students should document the scene with photographs and use these images to retell Rosa Parks' story, which they will then share with the class.

Shifting the focus to Nelson Mandela, students are prompted to watch a specific video clip to learn about his life and legacy. Following this, they are tasked with locating South Africa on a world map to contextualize Mandela's struggle against apartheid. In the same small groups, students will discuss the significance of Nelson Mandela's story in contemporary society and draw parallels between his experiences and those of Rosa Parks. The aim is to foster an understanding of the impact made by these famous figures in improving our world and to encourage students to reflect on the contributions of other notable individuals who have fought against racial injustice.