Language Arts

Rhyming words: As students listen to the CD, ask them to pick out the rhyming words. Discuss the rhyming words that have different spellings. Ex: share-fair

Discuss how different spellings are based upon different word origins, as English is a combination of Germanic, Old English, Greek, and Latin languages. Have the students look up the words in the dictionary to determine the word origins.

Meter: Discuss how some phrases have similar syllabic meter, allowing for the phrasing of rhyme. Discuss different kinds of meter: iambic pentameter, showing how rhyme and rhythm are connected.

Invite the students to create their own rhymes about things that they feel are important. Students can illustrate their rhymes and a class book can be created.

Have the students to write a narrative about an experience in which someone had treated them unfairly. Have then write about the emotions that they had experienced.

Vocabulary: Have the students look up the definitions of words: segregation, boycott, detested, rioting, civil, idle, bankruptcy, bestowed, rotunda. Discuss how they are used in the play.

Math

When creating the props, such as, the computer and monitor, explain how to use a ruler or yardstick. As different children create the various props: portrait, window, and painting, in small groups, insist that they measure everything.

Discuss the year 1955, and how many years ago it was. Also invite the children to determine how many weeks 382 days is. Discuss the climate, the seasons, and how difficult it was to refrain from riding a bus for that long period of time if you didn't own a car.

Rhythm: Explain how rhythm is a mathematical concept. Practice clapping to the beat of each song. Explain that rhythm is just like fractions: some beats are longer, some beats are shorter, but they are all fractions (parts) of one musical phrase.

Math/Social Studies

Create a timeline with your students: Pick out the most important events of Rosa Parks's life, and have students write paragraphs, as other students illustrate each paragraph. Post this proudly outside of your classroom. Have students determine how old Rosa Parks was when she died.

Social Studies

Explore the historical topics: Jim Crow laws, The NAACP, The Civil Rights Movement, Martin Luther King, Jr., The Pathways to Freedom Summer Program, The Presidential Medal, and The Congressional Medal. Write these on the board, and allow students to volunteer which subject to write a report on in a small group. Take the students to the computer lab to allow them to research each topic.

Science

Do a mini-unit on the concept of sound waves and vibration, by having students create musical instruments: paper plate tambourines, plastic cup maracas, etc. to use to accompany the songs. During the play, only invite four (with musical talent) to play along as the class sings. If too many people play, you won't be able to hear the children's voices.

Health

Discuss with students the concept of bullies, and how to deter being pushed around by others. Discuss personal rights and freedoms, especially, standing up for yourself, understanding what true friendship is, and how to share responsibility when part of a group.