The front page of a newspaper.

Lesson Plan

A Commitment to Memory: Remembering the People and Events of 1906

This lesson allows students to explore why it is important to commemorate historical events and creatively develop ways to memorialize the 1906 Atlanta Race Massacre.

About this lesson

Monuments and memorials serve as powerful symbols of collective memory, honoring significant events, individuals, and cultural values within societies. Throughout history, these structures have played a crucial role in shaping public consciousness and fostering a sense of identity. From ancient pyramids to modern statues, monuments reflect the ideals and stories that communities wish to preserve for future generations. They often evoke strong emotions, prompting reflection on the past, and can spark discussions about cultural heritage, representation, and the narratives that are prioritized. As students explore the purpose and impact of monuments and memorialization, they will gain insights into how these physical structures influence societal values, historical interpretation, and collective memory. Understanding the complexities surrounding monuments can encourage critical thinking about whose stories are told, whose are omitted, and how this affects our understanding of history and identity today.

Grade Level

  • Grade Level

    Eighth

  • Subject

    Social Studies

  • Duration

    120 minutes

  • Class Period Structure

    Two 60-minute Class Periods

  • Activities, Background Essay, Glossary, Primary Sources, Rubric

  • At the end of this lesson students will be able to:

    • Identify and define symbols.
    • Articulate the role of memorialization in society.

  • It will be helpful for students to be familiar with:

    • The 1906 Atlanta Race Massacre
    • Reconstruction
    • Jim Crow
    • Racial Segregation
    • Symbols

  • Georgia

    SS8H6 Analyze the impact of Reconstruction on Georgia.

    SS8H7 Evaluate key political, social, and economic changes that occurred in Georgia during the New South Era.

    1. Identify the ways individuals, groups, and events attempted to shape the New South; include the Bourbon Triumvirate, Henry Grady, International Cotton Expositions, and Tom Watson and the Populists.
    2. Analyze how rights were denied to African Americans or Blacks through Jim Crow laws, Plessy v. Ferguson, disenfranchisement, and racial violence, including the 1906 Atlanta Race Massacre.

    ELAGSE8RL1 Cite the textual evidence that most strongly supports an analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.

    ELAGSE8RL4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, including analogies or allusions to other texts.

    ELAGSE8RI1 Cite the textual evidence that most strongly supports an analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.

    ELAGSE8RI8 Delineate and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, assessing whether the reasoning is sound and the evidence is relevant and sufficient; recognize when irrelevant evidence is introduced.

    ELAGSE8W7 Conduct short research projects to answer a question (including a self-generated question), drawing on several sources and generating additional related, focused questions that allow for multiple avenues of exploration.

    ELAGSE8SL4 Present claims and findings, emphasizing salient points in a focused, coherent manner with relevant evidence, sound valid reasoning, and well-chosen details; use appropriate eye contact, adequate volume, and clear pronunciation.

    ELAGSE8L5 Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.

    LRHSS Determine the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source; provide an accurate summary of the source distinct from prior knowledge or opinions.

    LRHSS3 Identify key steps in a text’s description of a process related to history/social studies (e.g., how a bill becomes law, how interest rates are raised or lowered).

    LRHSS4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including vocabulary specific to domains related to history/social studies.

Supporting Materials

Primary Source

Glossary

  • Commemoration –

    Remembering and honoring a person's or event's memory.This can include ceremonies, monuments, and other forms of recognition.

  • Creative Expression –

    The use of art, literature, music, and other forms of creativity to express thoughts, feelings, or narratives. Creative expression can be a powerful tool for memorializing historical events and fostering social justice.

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