Five Essential Practices for Teaching the Civil Rights Movement

About This Guide

This is the fourth publication in the Southern Poverty Law Center’s Teaching the Movement initiative. The first three reports focused on state standards. This guide provides practical guidance for classroom teachers.

The publication was prepared under the guidance of Teaching Tolerance Director Maureen Costello. The principal writer was Kate Shuster, Ph.D., with feedback from Sara Wicht. It was edited by Alice Pettway and designed by Sunny Paulk.

About the Southern Poverty Law Center

The Southern Poverty Law Center is dedicated to fighting hate and bigotry and to seeking justice for the most vulnerable members of our society. Using litigation, education and other forms of advocacy, the Center works toward the day when the ideals of equal justice and equal opportunity will be a reality.

About Teaching Tolerance

Founded in 1991, Teaching Tolerance is dedicated to reducing prejudice, improving intergroup relations and supporting equitable school experiences for our nation’s children. The program provides free educational materials to educators for use by millions of students and is available to every school in the country.