Civil Rights Websites and Videos for Students
Looking for Civil Rights websites and videos to share with your students? If so, this is the list for you. It is a roundup of engaging and informative websites and videos for students all about the Civil Rights.
Kids have access to see, listen to, and read about more than ever before. We can leverage that to our advantage! When we partner with students as they explore the digital realm of the world, we can provide the guidance and tools they need to learn to safely navigate it. You can read more about using websites and videos in the classroom here.
If you’re ready to dive into this list of websites and videos, you can click through the navigation below or keep scrolling. Click on the images to access the resources listed. Be sure to preview all resources to determine age-appropriateness before sharing them with your students.
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Ted-ED’s “The Hidden Life of Rosa Parks”
“Learn about the life of civil rights activist Rosa Parks— her work with the NAACP, bus boycotts, and her lifelong fight against racial inequality.”
US National Archives’ “The March on Washington in Photographs”
“On August 28, 1963, photographer Rowland Scherman, working for the United States Information Agency (USIA), took a photograph which has become an iconic image of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. This Inside the Vaults video short follows the subject of the photograph: Edith Lee-Payne of Detroit, Michigan, who celebrated her 12th birthday by attending the March on Washington with her mother.”
US National Archives’ “The National Archive Comes Alive: Young Learners’ Program - Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.”
“The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is portrayed by the Reverend Dr. John Moore, an internationally recognized minister and orator who has spoken and portrayed Dr. King at schools, colleges, churches, and organizational gatherings throughout the nation. Dr. King’s words and actions that inspired the civil rights movement are brought to life for young learners followed by a question and answer session with Dr. King.”
US National Archives’ “Martin Luther King Press Conference”
This short clips shows a news feature of an interview with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
SoulPancake’s “The Story of Martin Luther King, Jr. by Kid President”
“Once upon a time, there was a man named Martin Luther King, Jr. He taught us that things won't always be awesome, but your response can be. Remember, things don't always have to be they are. We can change them! Kids can change them. This Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, celebrate the promise of change with Kid President.”
Scholastic’s “Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: A Leader and a Hero”
“Celebrate Dr. King’s legacy by helping children understand the importance of love, justice and equality with this special video and issue from Let’s Find Out magazine.”
Numberock’s “Martin Luther King Jr. Rap Song For Kids”
”Learn all about the Civil Rights icon Martin Luther King, Jr and how he rose to become one of the greatest leaders in History by his message of nonviolent resistance. This video reviews facts from his boyhood, education, marriage, and finally discusses his many battles and victories won as leader of the Civil Rights Movement until his tragic death. His words live on as we contemplate his many important messages of equality, peace and love this Martin Luther King Jr. Day.”
SoulPancake’s “Kid President Has a Dream”
"To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his historic "I Have a Dream" speech, Kid President received the high honor of being invited to be part of the event. Here is what happened.”
The National Civil Rights Museum “Small but Mighty Storytime” Series
“The National Civil Rights Museum will offer its annual Small but Mighty Storytime series, which thematically focus on peacemaking, kindness, diversity, and creating positive social change. Parents and children engage together for stories and connecting activities or resources.”
Moments from the Movement
BrainPop’s “Civil Rights: A Kid-Friendly Explainer”
“In this BrainPOP movie, Tim and Moby introduce kids to the American Civil Rights Movement of the '50s and '60s.”
Atlanta History Center’s “The Children’s March: Stories from the Birmingham Children’s Crusade”
“Atlanta History Center presents a unique children’s lesson about the Birmingham Children’s Crusade. Combining stories from the past, original artwork, and historic photographs, The Children’s March explores the resistance and persistence of young people in 1963 as they nonviolently protested for change.”
Atlanta History Center’s “Sing with Us: The Children’s March - Woke Up This Morning”
“Atlanta History Center presents a singalong to “Woke Up This Morning,” one of the many protest songs sung during the Civil Rights Movement. The children of Birmingham raised their voices to protest segregation and inequality during their march in 1963, we invite you to raise your voice in singing along with us.”
Smithsonian Education’s “The March on Washington”
“The 1963 March on Washington was a milestone in the Civil Rights Movement. Harry R. Rubenstein, curator at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History explains the roles of grassroots organizers and the media. This video series, "Explore with Smithsonian Experts," connects students and teachers with the skill and technique of Smithsonian experts who describe their work at our nation's museums. In each short film, experts introduce new ways to observe, record, research, and share, while using real artifacts and work experiences. Supports Common Core ELA standards. Produced by the Smithsonian Center for Learning and Digital Access and Pearson Foundation.”
Smithsonian Magazine’s “The Freedom Riders History”
“In the spring of 1961, black and white civil rights activists rode buses to protest the segregationist policies of the Deep South (Marian Holmes, Brian Wolly, Photos courtesy of Corbis, Getty Images and Library of Congress, Audio clips courtesy of Smithsonian Folkways).”
Connected to the Past
US National Archives’ “The National Archive Comes Alive: Young Learners’ Program - Harriet Tubman”
“Meet Harriet Tubman: "Moses of her people," abolitionist, and political activist.”
Ted-ED’s “The breathtaking courage of Harriet Tubman”
“Take a closer look at the life of escaped slave and American icon Harriet Tubman, who liberated over 700 enslaved people using the Underground Railroad.”
Ted-ED’s “The electrifying speeches of Sojourner Truth”
“Get to know the story of Sojourner Truth, a woman born into slavery who became known as a powerful orator and outspoken activist.”
Ted-ED’s “How one journalist risked her life to hold murderers accountable”
“Ida B. Wells was an investigative journalist, civil rights leader, and anti-lynching advocate who fought for equality and justice.”
Ted-ED’s “The exceptional life of Benjamin Banneker”
“Born in 1731 to formerly enslaved parents on a farm in Baltimore, Benjamin Banneker was obsessed with math and science. And his appetite for knowledge only grew as he taught himself astronomy, mathematics, engineering, and the study of the natural world. Rose-Margaret Ekeng-Itua details the numerous accomplishments of Benjamin Banneker.”
US National Archives’ “Emancipation Proclamation 150th Anniversary at the National Archives”
“The original Emancipation Proclamation signed by President Abraham Lincoln is in the holdings of the National Archives. To protect the document from light damage It is publicly displayed only a few days each year under extremely low light. In this video from the National Archives, senior archivist Reginald Washington and senior conservator Terry Boone discuss the document's significance, its history and measures taken to preserve it.”
Atlanta History Center’s “Juneteenth - Children’s Story Time”
In this video, the museum shares a conversation between a mom and her son about the Juneteenth holiday. They discuss the background of the holiday, including images, book excerpts, and more.
Atlanta History Center’s “Juneteenth | Super Spies Animated Comic”
Super Spies uses hand-drawn illustrations, historical photographs, and fantastic storytelling to explore the untold history of Harriet Tubman, Elizabeth Van Lew, and Mary Bowser during the American Civil War.
Liberty Kids’ “Born Free and Equal”
“Benjamin Franklin enlists the help of young people to record the happenings leading up to and during the Revolution for his newspaper the Pennsylvania Gazette. First, there is a James Hiller, a patriot who tends to act before he thinks and is, at times, too quick a judge in his search for American heroes. Next is Henri, a French orphan who's only quest is for food. Lastly, a young woman named Sarah Phillips joins the team; the daughter of an ex-English general with strong views opposing slavery. Together, they travel the colonies witnessing the sacrifices made for freedom.”
Interactive Features & More
United States Civil Rights Trail Interactive Map
Click through locations on the map to explore key places of the Civil Rights Movement.
National Civil Rights Museum’s “Standing Up by Sitting Down”
“As a resource for both students and educators, the eLearning Sit-In activity is modeled after the museum's Standing Up By Sitting Down exhibit. Students will virtually walk through the protest experience through a series of questions. The lunch counter sit-ins are an example of the non-violent direct action strategy used by college students that spread across the U.S. in 1960.”
National Civil Rights Museum’s “Before the Boycott”
“This educational resource allows students to view the 1955-57 Montgomery Bus Boycott from the perspective of a newspaper investigative reporter. Students are guided through a series of bus stops where they are given scenarios of the unfair treatment and conditions under which blacks during a bus ride in Montgomery, AL.”
Art Hubs for Kids Hub’ “How to Draw Martin Luther King, Jr.”
“Learn how to draw Martin Luther King Jr. We're drawing a cartoon version of him to keep this lesson fun and easy for young artists!”
Atlanta History Center’s “The Story of Baseball Bat: Sports and Civil Rights”
Atlanta History Center presents a unique children’s lesson about civil rights in sports. Combining stories from the past, original artwork, and historic photographs, The Story of a Baseball Bat explores the experience of James “Red” Moore playing baseball for the Negro Leagues through the eyes of his baseball bat.
Newseum Ed’s “Civil Rights Interactive Timeline”
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