Skip to content
The Historic New Orleans Collection

Ruby Bridges: The Cost of Integration

Grade 6

A group of people march on a street holding protest signs advocating for childrens education and against federal involvement. The march takes place near a brick building and a USPS mailbox is visible in the foreground.

In this unit students will examine the process of how Ruby Bridges integrated William Frantz Elementary School, and write an argument to advise or dissuade others to participate in the process of desegregation. Students will analyze a series of photographs to gain a greater understanding of the challenges of integration and desegregation from various perspectives. This lesson plan was created by Sharon Thompson, teacher at Trent Lott Academy, in collaboration with HNOC.

Related Stories

View More
First Draft

Christmas Cards for the Girls Who Desegregated New Orleans Schools

First Draft

The Integration of Audubon Park’s Pool and the Committee That Made It Happen

Related Virtual Exhibitions

View More
Virtual exhibitions

“Yet She Is Advancing”: New Orleans Women and the Right to Vote, 1878–1970

Related Collection Highlights

View More
Five children of diverse backgrounds kneel on grass, looking at a glowing star in the night sky. They wear colorful attire representing different cultures. The scene conveys unity and wonder.

Christmas Card to Tessie, Leona, Ruby, and Gail

During the height of the fight for school integration, supporters sent Christmas cards to four brave New Orleans girls. 

A page from the American Black Directory shows an advertisement for a black-owned clothing store.

American Black Directory

A post-segregation sibling to the Green Book, this directory compiled information on Black-owned businesses across the country.

Subscribe to Our Education Newsletter

20100429 Student Workshop MC016 adj web