Teacher Script: Real Lives, Real Stories

Warm-Up: What's Your Story? (10 minutes)

"Good morning, everyone! Today, we're going on an exciting journey into the lives of incredible people. To start, I want you to think about what a 'story' is. Can anyone tell me what comes to mind when you hear the word 'story'?"

"Great ideas! We all love stories, whether they're from books, movies, or even stories our families tell us. Now, what if a story was about a real person's entire life? What would you expect to hear in a 'life story'?"

"Excellent! When we talk about a real person's life story, we have a special word for it: a biography. Can everyone say 'biography' with me? (Pause for students to repeat)"

Introducing Biographies & Key Elements (15 minutes)

"(Display Real Lives, Real Stories Slide Deck - Slide 4: Introducing Biographies!) A biography is a true story about a real person's life, written by someone else. It's like a special history book about just one person. Biographies tell us about people who have done amazing things, faced challenges, or made a big difference in the world."

"(Display Real Lives, Real Stories Slide Deck - Slide 5: Key Elements of a Biography) So, what kind of important information do we find in a biography? Let's look at some key elements together:

• Who is the person? (Their name!)
• When and where were they born? (Important dates and places!)
• What important events happened in their life? (Things they did or that happened to them!)
• What challenges did they face? (Difficulties they overcame!)
• What achievements did they have? (Big successes or things they accomplished!)
• Why is their story important? (How did they make a difference?)

"We're going to keep these questions in mind as we read our first biography today!"

Guided Reading: The Story of Ruby Bridges (30 minutes)

"(Display Real Lives, Real Stories Slide Deck - Slide 6: Our Biography - Ruby Bridges) Today, we're going to read about an amazing and brave person named Ruby Bridges. I'm going to hand out a short reading about her life. As we read, I want you to listen carefully and think about those key elements we just talked about."

"(Distribute Biography Reading: 'The Story of Ruby Bridges'. For struggling readers, you might say: 'We will read this together as a class, or in small groups/partners. Feel free to follow along with your finger or pencil.')"

"Let's start reading. I'll read some, and then we'll pause to talk about what we've learned. Remember, we are looking for: Who? When/Where? Important events? Challenges? Achievements? Why important?"

(Read Biography Reading: 'The Story of Ruby Bridges' aloud, pausing at key points. After sections, ask guiding questions like:)

"Who have we learned about so far?"
"What was one important event that happened early in Ruby's life?"
"What was a big challenge Ruby faced? How did she show bravery?"
"What did Ruby achieve by going to school?"

(Continue reading and pausing until the entire text is covered.)

Biography Breakdown Worksheet (15 minutes)

"(Display Real Lives, Real Stories Slide Deck - Slide 7: Time for the Biography Breakdown!) Now that we've read about Ruby Bridges, it's time to become biography detectives! I'm going to hand out the Biography Breakdown Worksheet. Your job is to use the reading we just did to find the answers to the questions on the worksheet."

"You can work on this by yourselves or with a partner. Remember to look back at the text for your answers – that's what good readers do! If you get stuck, re-read the part you think has the answer, or ask me or your partner for help. For students with IEPs, I will be circulating to provide direct support and clarify questions as needed."

(Circulate and assist students as they work on the worksheet.)

Discussion: Hero Talk (10 minutes)

"(Display Real Lives, Real Stories Slide Deck - Slide 8: Let's Talk: Hero Talk!) Alright, detectives, let's talk about what you found! Who would like to share one interesting fact they learned about Ruby Bridges from the reading or the worksheet?"

"Why do you think Ruby Bridges' story is so important? What can we learn from her?"

"Ruby Bridges is definitely a hero. Can you think of any other real-life heroes, either from history or people you know personally, who have made a positive difference?"

Cool-Down: Who Am I? Activity (10 minutes)

"(Display Real Lives, Real Stories Slide Deck - Slide 9: Who Am I? Cool Down) To wrap up our lesson today, we're going to play a quick game called 'Who Am I?' I have some Who Am I? Activity Cards with facts about other famous people. I'll read a few clues, and you raise your hand if you think you know who it is! Remember, all these people have real-life stories – biographies – just like Ruby Bridges."

(Read clues from the activity cards and have students guess. For example:)

"I am famous for saying, 'I have a dream.' I fought peacefully for equal rights for all people. Who am I?" (Martin Luther King Jr.)

"I was the first African American president of the United States. Who am I?" (Barack Obama)

"I refused to give up my seat on a bus, which sparked a huge movement for civil rights. Who am I?" (Rosa Parks)

"Fantastic job today, everyone! You learned what a biography is and met an incredible person, Ruby Bridges. Keep your eyes open for more amazing real-life stories!"

The Story of Ruby Bridges

Ruby Bridges was born in Mississippi in 1954. When she was four years old, her family moved to New Orleans, Louisiana. This was a time when schools in the South were segregated. This means white children and Black children went to separate schools. The schools for white children were usually much better.

In 1954, a big change happened. The Supreme Court said that segregated schools were against the law. This meant all schools had to let children of all races learn together. This was called desegregation.

In 1960, when Ruby was just six years old, she became a very important part of this change. She was chosen to be one of the first Black children to go to an all-white elementary school in New Orleans. Her new school was William Frantz Elementary.

Going to William Frantz Elementary was not easy. Every day, federal marshals had to walk with Ruby to school because many people were angry and protested. They shouted mean things and threw things. Ruby was very brave. She walked into that school every day with her head held high.

Inside the school, things were also hard. For a long time, Ruby was the only student in her classroom. One teacher, Mrs. Henry, taught Ruby by herself. Ruby couldn't eat with other children or play with them at recess.

But Ruby kept going. She learned, she was kind, and she showed incredible courage. Her bravery helped other children to go to integrated schools. She showed everyone that a small girl could make a huge difference.

Ruby Bridges grew up and continued to be an activist for civil rights. Her story reminds us of the importance of equality, courage, and standing up for what is right.

Biography Breakdown Worksheet: Ruby Bridges

Instructions: Use the reading, "Biography Reading: 'The Story of Ruby Bridges'", to answer the questions below.

Section 1: Basic Facts

1. Who is this biography about?
   
   
   

2. When and where was Ruby Bridges born?
   
   
   

3. What was the problem with schools when Ruby was a child?
   
   
   
   
   
   

Section 2: Important Events & Challenges

4. What big change happened in 1954 regarding schools?
   
   
   
   
   
   

5. What school did Ruby go to that made history?
   
   
   

6. What was one challenge Ruby faced when she went to her new school?
   
   
   
   
   
   

Section 3: Achievements & Importance

7. What did Ruby Bridges achieve by being brave and going to school every day?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

8. Why is Ruby Bridges' story important for us today?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Biography Breakdown Answer Key: Ruby Bridges

Section 1: Basic Facts

1. Who is this biography about?

   • Answer: Ruby Bridges.
   • Thought Process: The title of the reading, "The Story of Ruby Bridges," directly states who the biography is about.

2. When and where was Ruby Bridges born?

   • Answer: Ruby Bridges was born in Mississippi in 1954.
   • Thought Process: The first paragraph of the reading states, "Ruby Bridges was born in Mississippi in 1954."

3. What was the problem with schools when Ruby was a child?

   • Answer: Schools were segregated, meaning white children and Black children went to separate schools, and schools for white children were usually much better.
   • Thought Process: The first paragraph explains, "This was a time when schools in the South were segregated. This means white children and Black children went to separate schools. The schools for white children were usually much better."

Section 2: Important Events & Challenges

4. What big change happened in 1954 regarding schools?

   • Answer: The Supreme Court said that segregated schools were against the law, meaning all schools had to let children of all races learn together (desegregation).
   • Thought Process: The second paragraph states, "In 1954, a big change happened. The Supreme Court said that segregated schools were against the law. This meant all schools had to let children of all races learn together. This was called desegregation."

5. What school did Ruby go to that made history?

   • Answer: William Frantz Elementary.
   • Thought Process: The third paragraph says, "Her new school was William Frantz Elementary."

6. What was one challenge Ruby faced when she went to her new school?

   • Answer: Federal marshals had to walk with her, people shouted mean things and protested, and she was the only student in her classroom for a long time.
   • Thought Process: The fourth and fifth paragraphs describe these challenges: "Every day, federal marshals had to walk with Ruby to school because many people were angry and protested. They shouted mean things and threw things." and "For a long time, Ruby was the only student in her classroom."

Section 3: Achievements & Importance

7. What did Ruby Bridges achieve by being brave and going to school every day?

   • Answer: Her bravery helped other children to go to integrated schools, and she showed everyone that a small girl could make a huge difference.
   • Thought Process: The sixth paragraph states, "Her bravery helped other children to go to integrated schools. She showed everyone that a small girl could make a huge difference."

8. Why is Ruby Bridges' story important for us today?

   • Answer: Her story reminds us of the importance of equality, courage, and standing up for what is right.
   • Thought Process: The last paragraph of the reading explicitly says, "Her story reminds us of the importance of equality, courage, and standing up for what is right."

Discussion Prompts: Hero Talk

Instructions: Use these prompts to guide a class discussion after reading about Ruby Bridges and completing the worksheet.

Reflecting on Ruby Bridges

1. What was the most surprising thing you learned about Ruby Bridges?
   
   
   
   
2. Ruby faced many challenges. What made her so brave? How did her actions show bravery?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. Why do you think it was important for Ruby to go to school, even when it was so difficult?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. How did Ruby Bridges make a difference in the world? What was her biggest achievement?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Connecting to Other Heroes

5. Ruby Bridges is a real-life hero. Can you think of other real-life heroes, either from history or people you know, who have shown great courage or made a positive impact?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
6. What qualities do you think make someone a hero? (e.g., brave, kind, helpful, determined)
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
7. How can we, in our own lives, be like Ruby Bridges and stand up for what is right or help others?

Who Am I? Activity Cards

Instructions for Teacher: Cut out each card. Read the clues aloud to students and have them guess the famous person. This activity reinforces the idea of biographies and important figures.

Card 1

Clues:

• I was a leader in the Civil Rights Movement.
• I am famous for my speech that included the words, "I have a dream."
• I believed in peaceful protest to achieve equality.

Who am I?
(Martin Luther King Jr.)

Card 2

Clues:

• I refused to give up my seat on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama.
• My brave act helped start a huge movement for civil rights.
• I am known as the "mother of the civil rights movement."

Who am I?
(Rosa Parks)

Card 3

Clues:

• I was an enslaved woman who escaped to freedom.
• I became a conductor on the Underground Railroad, helping many others escape slavery.
• I was called "Moses" by the people I helped.

Who am I?
(Harriet Tubman)

Card 4

Clues:

• I was a famous baseball player who broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball.
• I played for the Brooklyn Dodgers.
• My jersey number, 42, is retired by all baseball teams.

Who am I?
(Jackie Robinson)

Discussion Prompts: Hero Talk

Instructions: Use these prompts to guide a class discussion after reading about Ruby Bridges and completing the worksheet.

Reflecting on Ruby Bridges

1. What was the most surprising thing you learned about Ruby Bridges?
   
   
   
   
2. Ruby faced many challenges. What made her so brave? How did her actions show bravery?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. Why do you think it was important for Ruby to go to school, even when it was so difficult?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. How did Ruby Bridges make a difference in the world? What was her biggest achievement?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Connecting to Other Heroes

5. The lesson plan uses

Biography Breakdown Worksheet: Ruby Bridges

Instructions: Read

Teacher Script: Real Lives, Real Stories

Warm-Up: What's Your Story? (10 minutes)

"Good morning, everyone! Today, we're going on an exciting journey into the lives of incredible people. To start, I want you to think about what a 'story' is. Can anyone tell me what comes to mind when you hear the word 'story'?"

"Great ideas! We all love stories, whether they're from books, movies, or even stories our families tell us. Now, what if a story was about a real person's entire life? What would you expect to hear in a 'life story'?"

"Excellent! When we talk about a real person's life story, we have a special word for it: a biography. Can everyone say 'biography' with me? (Pause for students to repeat)"

Introducing Biographies & Key Elements (15 minutes)

"(Display Real Lives, Real Stories Slide Deck - Slide 4: Introducing Biographies!) A biography is a true story about a real person's life, written by someone else. It's like a special history book about just one person. Biographies tell us about people who have done amazing things, faced challenges, or made a big difference in the world."

"(Display Real Lives, Real Stories Slide Deck - Slide 5: Key Elements of a Biography) So, what kind of important information do we find in a biography? Let's look at some key elements together:

• Who is the person? (Their name!)
• When and where were they born? (Important dates and places!)
• What important events happened in their life? (Things they did or that happened to them!)
• What challenges did they face? (Difficulties they overcame!)
• What achievements did they have? (Big successes or things they accomplished!)
• Why is their story important? (How did they make a difference?)

"We're going to keep these questions in mind as we read our first biography today!"

Guided Reading: The Story of Ruby Bridges (30 minutes)

"(Display Real Lives, Real Stories Slide Deck - Slide 6: Our Biography - Ruby Bridges) Today, we're going to read about an amazing and brave person named Ruby Bridges. I'm going to hand out a short reading about her life. As we read, I want you to listen carefully and think about those key elements we just talked about."

"(Distribute Biography Reading: 'The Story of Ruby Bridges'. For struggling readers, you might say: 'We will read this together as a class, or in small groups/partners. Feel free to follow along with your finger or pencil.')"

"Let's start reading. I'll read some, and then we'll pause to talk about what we've learned. Remember, we are looking for: Who? When/Where? Important events? Challenges? Achievements? Why important?"

*(Read Biography Reading: 'The Story of Ruby Bridges' aloud, pausing at key points to ask questions from the