It’s February and that means Black History. It’s time to focus on the incredible individuals that have helped change our world. This week we are learning about Ruby Bridges. A perfect choice for kindergarten, because Ruby was just 6 years old when her bravery made national headlines.
A little background on Ruby. In 1960 the schools in New Orleans were segregated.
Ruby’s mom had Ruby take a test to she if she could attend a white school. Six children were chosen to attend white schools. Ruby was the only one assigned to the William Frantz Elementary School. On Novemebr 14, 1960 Ruby arrived.
Protestors lined the walkway and yelled at Ruby and threatened her. President Eisenhower assigned U.S. Marshalls to escort Ruby so she could be safe. The white parents pulled their students out.
Ruby was the only student in her class.
Barbara Henry was her teacher. Can you imagine going to school with no classmates? Slowly other parents started sending their children back to school, and Ruby was able to make friends. and have classmates.
My kids are always so somber and quiet when we learn about segregation. For most of them, this is the first time they’ve ever heard stories like this. Whe you hear this story for the first time, it literally takes your breath away. I often wonder if the topic is too harsh for them, but then I think of little Ruby, just 6 years old. The feedback I get from parents is overwhelmingly positive. The kids have a lot to say at dinner after learning about Martin Luther King, Ruby Bridges, and Rosa Parks.
This is a link to a great video of a reading of her book The Story Of Ruby Bridges by Robert Coles.
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