Sanderling Waldorf Students Reflect On The Civil Rights Movement

Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday calls attention not only to the great works of the day’s namesake, but this federal holiday recognition also illuminates the incredible impact of many other leaders in the Civil Rights movement. Sanderling Waldorf teachers recently saw this as the opportune time for the Sanderling 8th-grade class to learn, and reflect upon, the important lessons that these leaders taught us all about fighting through insurmountable obstacles…. Seeking to overcome.

Students were asked to choose one leader among a long list of what their teacher, Dr. Terri Power refers to as “Freedom Fighters” to study. Some students began this long and soulful journey by studying Martin Luther King, Jr., himself, while others chose Frederick Douglas, Rosa Parks, Harriet Tubman, Barack Obama, or Colin Kaepernick. Their first challenge in this was to draw a black-and-white portrait of their leader. (Drawing a black-and-white portrait is a normal aspect of the 8th-grade curriculum. It is intended to help students really look at a human being and really try to bring out the true essence. This is something they do when drawing their own self-portrait, which is a developmental aspect of the wonderful Waldorf curriculum.)

Next, students were asked to do extensive research on their chosen leader, and to write a biographical paper on their choice. Then they were asked to utilize both the portrait and the paper to give a short oral presentation. The objective of this portion of the lesson was for the students to have studied their leader so deeply that they would become experts on them, and be readily able to articulate their life story and their contributions to the Civil Rights movement at a moment’s notice.

And, true to Sanderling Waldorf teachers, they didn’t stop there. Students shared their newly-acquired knowledge at a reverent and thoughtful school-wide assembly to enlighten other classes about Civil Rights’ leaders. The students explained their leader’s contributions, how they fought and sought to overcome obstacles – all in the name of equality.

The event included various speeches and songs. The 8th graders recited President Barack Obama’s speech that legally proclaimed Martin Luther King, Jr. Day a federal holiday. The 6th graders shared quotes from Coretta Scott King who carried on her husband’s legacy far beyond his death. The 1st-and 4th graders sang along with the 8th graders, “We Shall Overcome,” and, “This Little Light of Mine,” while grades 5th and 8th also sang, “Pride in the Name of Love,” and, “Redemption Song.”

In reflection of the assembly, the teacher, Dr. Terri Power, shared some valuable insights: [ In 8th grade, our pedagogical approach is to have them study lots of biographies. It is one way to introduce them to history and historical figures, but it’s also a way for them to see how other human beings lived on this earth, the choices that they made in their lives, and the obstacles they overcame. It comes at a time when our teenagers tend to do a lot of inner reflection, asking themselves, “Who am I?”, “What’s my purpose?”, and, “What’s going to be my purpose in my future?” It’s a time when they have to begin making a lot of personal decisions: What friends they’re going to have, and if they will do the right thing when they are tempted. Having these historical figures as role models help lead them through these times. This is when they start to align themselves onto various paths and our hope is to lead them to really good and healthy choices as they venture forward in their lives. This can also be a very self-critical time for them. They may be more inclined to see that, if these historical role models made such strides towards overcoming such overwhelming obstacles, then so can they in their own lives. They also begin to see the wider picture of life instead of being trapped in the microcosmic moment of now and in their own personal dramas. Their problems feel so overwhelming to them and then all of a sudden they realize, “Oh wait, I could have it so much worse, I could be fighting for equality in South Africa during Apartheid, or even for my life during the U.S. Civil War.”

Dr. Power’s reflection illustrates how the Sanderling Waldorf curriculum is strategically designed to help children seek to overcome internal conflicts that arise throughout their development.

To see more photos and student illustrations please click here.