December 1st is known as Rosa Parks Day in the United States, a day dedicated to celebrating arguably one of the most important civil rights leaders in U.S. history.
As students learn about civil rights and American Heroes, they’ll learn about Rosa Parks and her incredible bravery. Reflecting on what they learn will help them retain this information, and gain a deeper understanding of just how important past events are to the present time.
Below, you’ll find a list of writing prompts about Rosa Parks, civil rights, and standing up for what you believe in.
Using This List
Your students will learn about many American heroes throughout their education, and it’s important for them to really get to know their stories and why we still tell those stories today.
Here are a few ways you can use this list of prompts in your classroom:
- Use these prompts during December, the month that Rosa Parks was arrested for standing up for her rights.
- Use these prompts in tandem with your Black History Month curriculum.
- Encourage students to choose one or two prompts from this list during Women’s History Month.
The Writing Prompts
- Who was Rosa Parks? Why is she sometimes called the “Mother of Civil Rights”?
- What does it mean to boycott something?
- Why was Rosa Parks arrested?
- Why did Rosa Parks feel that she did not break the law?
- Choose three adjectives to describe Rosa Parks. Why did you choose these?
- What was segregation?
- Write about a time when you did the right thing even though it was hard.
- Where did Black people use to have to sit on the city bus?
- Write about a time when you were brave like Rosa Parks.
- What would you ask if you were able to meet Rosa Parks? Why?
- Write 2-3 paragraphs about the Civil Rights Movement.
- Do you think boycotting buses was easy for Black Americans to do? Explain.
- How did the Black community work together to provide transportation during the bus boycott?
- What would you do if you saw injustice at school?
- Write an acrostic poem using the word “BRAVE”.
- Write three facts about Rosa Parks.
- What is your opinion of Rosa Parks’s actions in 1955?
- Pretend you are a reporter in 1955. Write an article about the bus boycott.
- How did Rosa Parks’ actions also influence the women’s rights movement?
- How do you think Rosa Parks felt when she was asked to give up her spot on the bus?
- Would you consider Rosa Parks a hero? Explain your answer.
- What are the traits of a good leader? How do these traits relate to Rosa Parks?
- Why is it important to help others in your community?
- How does equality create a sense of community?
- Write a poem about Rosa Parks using the following words: brave, stand, right, free
- Research a different civil rights activist. Write 3-5 paragraphs about their accomplishments.
- Write a story about making a difference.
- Interview someone who lived during the segregation era. Write about their experiences.
- Write about a time when someone or something changed your opinion.
- Write a story that includes an act of civil disobedience.
- What would you do if your friend started making racist jokes?
- Write a story about a character who is a civil rights activist.
- Why is apathy harmful in the face of injustice?
- Write 3-5 paragraphs about a current civil rights issue.
- Write an acrostic poem about civil rights using the word “RESIST”.
- Write about a civil rights movement incident that happened near your community.
- What can we do to stop racism?
- Do you think it’s possible to ever achieve equality? Explain your answer.
- Have you ever faced discrimination? Write about your experience.
- Why is it important for students to learn about civil rights leaders like Rosa Parks?
- What do you think would be different today if Rosa Parks had given up her seat in 1955?
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