Teacher Resources

Empower Your Students to Champion Justice

The National Civil Rights Museum isn’t just a place to learn about the past; it’s a springboard to propel students forward in their pursuit of a more just future. We are committed to providing educators with the resources and materials to bring the powerful legacy of the Civil Rights Movement to life in your classroom.

Engage Your Students in Meaningful Exploration

Our comprehensive educator resources offer:

Tools for Museum Visits: Enhance your students’ museum experience with tips on navigating exhibits and sparking discussion around key themes.
Bringing History to Life: Extend the learning beyond the museum walls with classroom activities that connect the Civil Rights Movement to contemporary issues.
Enduring Ideas and Essential Questions: Each resource delves into a central theme, prompting students to grapple with big questions about the human experience and the ongoing struggle for equality.
Civil Rights Movement Archive
Voices of Civil Rights Movement
SNCC Digital Gateway
Eyes on the Prize Interviews by American Archive of Public Broadcasting

Aligned for Success

We’ve carefully crafted these resources to meet the state standards of Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Common Core.

Building Strong Characters

By exploring and critiquing the actions of historical figures, students learn to identify character traits essential for justice advocacy. They can then connect these lessons to their own lives and develop their own sense of agency.

Join the Movement

Start your journey today and help your students become the next generation of changemakers. Explore our rich collection of educator resources and let history move us forward together!

Empower your students and become a catalyst for social justice.

The National Civil Rights Museum offers enriching Teacher Workshops designed to equip you with the knowledge and tools to effectively teach the Civil Rights Movement. Gain in-depth understanding of sensitive themes and innovative strategies for engaging students in critical thinking and discussions that bridge the gap between historical events and contemporary social issues.

Choose from virtual or in-person workshops, some of which include museum exhibit tours. Deepen your impact and browse upcoming workshops here on our dedicated Teacher Workshop page.

Stay informed by signing up for our educator email list.

Contact Museum Educator Dory Lerner at dlerner@civilrightsmuseum.org for any questions.

Upcoming Workshops

Community Symposium:
60th Anniversary of Mississippi Freedom Summer

July 27, 2024 Virtual & In Person: Register Here

Join us for a profound commemoration of the 60th anniversary of MS Freedom Summer and the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This event honors the pivotal summer of 1964 and the enduring impact of the Civil Rights Act, a landmark in the fight for equality and justice. We will pay tribute to the brave Civil Rights Workers—James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Michael Schwerner—whose lives were tragically lost, and celebrate the tireless efforts of COFO, SNCC, and CORE activists who spearheaded the movement.

During this hybrid event, courageous activists from the iconic Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) will share experiences of their grassroots efforts helping register African American voters in Mississippi 60 years ago. SNCC activists who will share their stories and wisdom with us are Judy Richardson, Charlie Cobb, Courtland Cox and Dorothy Zellner.

This symposium will also include authors, historians, and filmmakers who will highlight events from the pivotal summer of 1964. Professor Davis Houck will present on his book “Black Bodies in the River: Searching for Freedom Summer,” which covers the deaths of two African American men who were murdered by the Ku Klux Klan and were found during the search for the three civil rights workers outside Philadelphia, Mississippi. Author Devery Anderson will speak on his book on activist, Clyde Kennard, an African American activist whose desire for education led to his martyrdom in a Mississippi penitentiary.

Attendees will see the recent release of filmmaker Loki Mulholland’s documentary Dying to Vote, which tells the story of Mississippi Voting Rights activist Vernon Dahmer’s quest to register black voters in the state. Investigative His son, Dennis Dahmer will participate in a special Q&A panel following the film screening. Others including Dr. Robert Luckett at Jackson State University, and Jerry Mitchell, founder of the Mississippi Center for Investigative Reporting will also be present.

$15 tickets include the full day, and lunch will be provided. Teachers and students may attend free of charge, but registration is still required.

Immerse yourself in the powerful stories of those who organized and participated in this momentous summer, gaining insights into their struggles and triumphs. Through these narratives, we aim to engage audiences with history in meaningful ways that resonate today, inspiring attendees to recognize their own potential as catalysts for positive social change.

Don’t miss this opportunity to reflect on the past, honor the heroes of the Civil Rights Movement, and find inspiration for the continued fight for equality and justice.