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Title: The Watsons Go To Birmingham – 1963
Author: Christopher Paul Curtis
Age level: middle school
Recommended by:
Amy O'Brien, Holy Cross School, South Bend, IndianaSummary: The Watsons Go To Birmingham – 1963
by Christopher Paul Curtis is the hilarious story of the "weird Watsons" and their eventful trip to Birmingham, Alabama during the turbulent Civil Rights era. The novel is told from the point of view of ten-year-old Kenny Watson who learns about the evils of prejudice as the novel progresses. The novel is full of rich characters including Kenny's "juvenile delinquent" brother whose antics provide much of the humor of the novel.
Teaching suggestions: This novel can be incorporated into many different thematic units including Black History Month, the Civil Rights movement, the 1960s, and journeys. During the novel, have
students analyze the setting by responding in their journals about the things that are associated with the 1960s such as the Ultra Glide Kenny's father installs in their car right before their trip. The novel ends
with the Birmingham church bombing which killed four young girls so students should also journal about the historical details as well. Dudley Randall's poem "Ballad of Birmingham" is a wonderful springboard for
comparison and contrast as it also deals with the church bombings. The unit culminates in a "Talk Show" where students take on the roles of novel characters, the author, and various "experts" including a Civil
Rights activist and an African-American Studies professor. Their job is to discuss issues presented by the book. Assign one or two students to serve as hosts for the program. They should write
questions for the show and hand these out to the guests in advance so they can research the book and other sources to find answers to their questions. Assign another one or two students to serve as Directors /
Producers whose job is to determine the format for the program, write an introduction to the show, and organize the videotaping of the show. They could even write sponsor letters asking for "funding" for their
talk show. If you have any leftover students, they could serve as audience members who will ask questions and add their comments as well. The next day the students can watch their videotaped program and
discuss their experience of participating in the discussion. |
