Ruby Bridges Craft, an iconic figure of American history, was recognized for her courageous journey as the first African-American child to integrate an all-white elementary school in New Orleans in 1960. Sharing this journey through crafts can both educate and empower children about her legacy.
Ruby Bridges’ story is profound, and teaching it through crafts to children can help them understand its significance in terms of courage, resilience and equality. Crafts are also an engaging way for kids to engage with history-making their educational experience all the more memorable! We provide step-by-step instructions for three Ruby Bridges-themed crafts suitable for various age groups.
Materials Needed
Before diving into the craft projects, let’s gather the materials you’ll need. Ensure you have these supplies on hand before starting:
Common Supplies:
- Safety scissors
- Glue or glue sticks
- Pencils
- Erasers
- Rulers
Craft-Specific Materials:
- Ruby Bridges Paper Doll:
- White paper or cardstock
- Colored pencils or markers
- Craft googly eyes
- Yarn or ribbon (optional for hair)
Ruby Bridges Collage:
- Old magazines or newspapers
- White paper or cardboard (as the base)
- Glue or glue sticks
- Scissors
Ruby Bridges Handprint Craft:
- Colored construction paper (brown, white, and black)
- Craft googly eyes
- Black marker
- Glue or glue sticks
Step-by-Step Instructions
a. Ruby Bridges Paper Doll
Step 1: Draw or print a simple outline of Ruby Bridges on a piece of white paper or cardstock. You can find printable templates online.
Step 2: Color Ruby’s dress and shoes. You can use colored pencils or markers for this.
Step 3: Glue craft googly eyes to Ruby’s face. If you want to add hair, cut small pieces of yarn or ribbon and glue them onto the head.
Step 4: Encourage children to personalize their Ruby Bridges paper doll by drawing a smile, adding accessories, or even writing a message about Ruby’s bravery.
Step 5: Display the paper dolls to celebrate Ruby Bridges’ courage and the lesson she taught the world.
b. Ruby Bridges Collage
This craft is suitable for older children and is a great way to engage them in a hands-on creative project.
Step 1: Provide each child with a white paper or cardboard base.
Step 2: Have them search through old magazines or newspapers to find images and words related to Ruby Bridges, civil rights, and equality.
Step 3: Cut out the selected images and words carefully. This will require good scissor skills.
Step 4: Encourage children to arrange and glue the cutouts onto their base, creating a collage that tells Ruby Bridges’ story.
Step 5: Once the collages are complete, discuss the significance of each element and the overall message they convey about Ruby Bridges.
Step 6: Display the collages to showcase the children’s understanding of Ruby Bridges’ impact on history.
c. Ruby Bridges Handprint Craft
This craft is ideal for a wide age range and symbolizes unity and equality.
Step 1: Provide each child with colored construction paper in brown, white, and black.
Step 2: Trace their handprint on the brown paper and cut it out. This will represent Ruby’s face.
Step 3: Cut out a small white rectangle for Ruby’s dress and a black strip for her hair.
Step 4: Glue the handprint onto a white background.
Step 5: Attach the white rectangle as Ruby’s dress and the black strip as her hair.
Step 6: Add craft googly eyes to the handprint face and use a black marker to draw Ruby’s mouth and nose.
Step 7: Discuss Ruby Bridges’ significance and the symbolism of unity and equality represented in this craft.
Step 8: Display the handprint crafts as a visual reminder of the importance of equality and the role Ruby Bridges played in the civil rights movement.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions regarding Ruby Bridges crafts:
Why is Ruby Bridges important to teach in classrooms?
Ruby Bridges’ story is essential to teach in classrooms because it highlights the struggle for civil rights and the importance of courage in the face of adversity.
Are there age restrictions for these crafts?
While the paper doll craft is suitable for younger children, the collage and handprint crafts can be adapted for various age groups. Younger children may need more assistance with cutting and gluing.
How can I adapt these crafts for virtual learning?
You can provide digital templates and instructions for the paper doll craft. For the collage, encourage children to find images online and create digital collages. The handprint craft can be adapted using virtual drawing tools.
What are some follow-up activities after completing these crafts?
After creating these crafts, you can engage in discussions regarding civil rights, segregation, diversity and inclusion as well as discuss other civil rights leaders and their contributions.
Conclusion
Crafting is an engaging and effective way of teaching children about Ruby Bridges, instilling lessons about courage, equality and civil rights movement in children of any age or skill level. Crafts can help connect history to life for your students as you encourage discussions on her legacy as well as wider civil rights topics. From paper dolls and collages to puppet shows and play sets – crafting will provide meaningful educational experiences that connect children directly with history! Adapt the activities according to age/skill level/age level while encouraging open discussions regarding Ruby’s legacy within wider civil rights context of course!
Through including Ruby Bridges crafts in educational activities, you can encourage future generations to fight for justice and equality as she did herself in her time.
