AMightyLongWay:MyJourneytoJustice

atLittleRockCentralHighSchool

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Prologue:RememberingCentralHighFiftyYearsLater

CarlottawasthefirstblackwomantograduatefromCentralHighSchool.Fora
longtime,shedidnottalktoanyoneaboutit.Itwastooupsettingtothinkabout.
Then,shedecidedtowriteherstory.

Chapters12

CarlottalivedintheSouthinaplacecalledLittleRock,Arkansas.Itwasthe1950s.
Blackpeopleandwhitepeoplecouldnotbeinthesameplacestogetherinthe
South.Theschoolsweresegregated.Blackstudentswenttooneschool.White
studentswenttoanotherschool.IntheSouth,blackpeoplecouldnotdothe
samethingsaswhitepeople.

OnesummerCarlottawenttovisitherauntanduncle.TheylivedintheNorthina
placedcalledNewYork.IntheNorth,whiteandblackpeoplecouldbeinthe
sameplacestogether.Carlottacouldplaywithwhitechildren.Peopleofdifferent
racesspokenicelytoeachotherIntheSouth,blackpeoplecouldnotdothesame
thingsaswhitepeople.

Carlottalovedschool.ShewantedtogotoCentralHighSchool.Thiswasanall
whiteschool.Thegovernmentdecidedthatsegregationwasunfair.CentralHigh
Schoolwasgoingtoletblackandwhitestudentsgotoschooltogether.They
wouldbethefirstschooltointegrateintheSouth.IntheSouth,blackpeople
couldnotdothesamethingsaswhitepeople.

Chapters34

CarlottaandeightofherblackfriendswouldgotoCentralinthefall.The
governorandotherwhitepeopledidnotwantthemthere.Theprincipalmade
unfairrulesforthem.Theycouldnotdothesameactivitiesasthewhite
students.WhitepeopletriedtokeeptheblackstudentsoutofCentral.

Thenightbeforeschoolstarted,whitepeoplethreatenedtheblackstudents.The
firstdayofschoolwascancelled.Thenextday,theblackstudentswenttothe
school.Therewasanangrycrowdthere.Thecrowdcalledthestudentsmean
names.WhitepeopletriedtokeeptheblackstudentsoutofCentral.

Thegovernortoldsoldierstokeeptheblackstudentsout.Hewouldnotletthe
blackstudentsgotoschool.Thenewsthatstudentscouldnotgotoschoolspread
alloverthecountry.Theninestudentswerefamous.Ajudgesaidtheschoolhad
tolettheblackstudentsin.Whitepeopletriedtokeeptheblackstudentsoutof
Central.

Chapters56

Afewweekslater,thestudentswenttoschool.Therewasaloudcrowdoutside.
Theblackstudentshadtoleaveearlybecausethecrowdwastoodangerous.The
PresidentoftheUnitedStateswantedtohelpCarlottaandtheotherstudents.He
sentthebestsoldierstoCentral.Thesoldiersdrovethemsafelytoschool.Many
whitestudentsweremeantoCarlottaandherfriends.

AsoldierwalkedeverywherewithCarlottaatschool.Studentsyelledandspitat
her.Theyputglueandinkonher.Mostofthemdidnotgetintrouble.Carlotta
couldnotstopthem.ManywhitestudentsweremeantoCarlottaandherfriends.

Carlottalearnedhowtotakecareofherself.Shestillworkedhardtogetgood
grades.Shetriednottocryatschool.Sheonlylaughedatlunchwithherfriends.
Carlottahopedthatthingswouldgetbetter.Manywhitestudentsweremeanto
Carlottaandherfriends.

Chapters78

Thatsummer,Carlottaandtheotherblackstudentswenttomanydifferentcities.
Theyweregivencivilrightsawards.Theywerecalledbraveheroes.Carlottawas
givenmoneyforcollege.SchoolwasimportanttoCarlotta.

ThesummerendedandCarlottahadtogobacktoCentralHighSchool.Itwas
Carlottasjunioryear.ThegovernorofArkansasclosedCentralHighSchool.He
didnotwanttheschooltointegrate.Carlottaworriedthatshewouldnotgetinto
college.SchoolwasimportanttoCarlotta.

InJanuary,CarlottamovedtoCleveland.Shelivedwithafamilyandwenttoan
integratedschoolthere.Carlottawasacceptedintocollegeherjunioryear,but
shewantedtofinishhighschoolatCentral.Justintimeforhersenioryear,
CentralHighSchoolreopened.SchoolwasimportanttoCarlotta.

Chapters911

StudentsandteacherswerestillmeantoCarlottaatCentralHighSchool.Shewas
verylonely.CarlottadecidedtogotoMichiganStateforcollege.Sheonlyhad
fourmonthsofhighschoolleft.ThingswereunfairforpeopleinArkansas.

Oneday,thepeopleagainstintegrationbombedmanybuildingsintown.Theydid
notwanttheblackstudentstogotoschoolwiththewhitestudents.Themen
responsibleweresenttojail.Thepeopleagainstintegrationalsobombed
Carlottashouse.Carlottawouldnotletthebombkeepherawayfromschool.She
wantedtoshowthatblackstudentscoulddoaswellasotherpeopleinschool.
Buthergradeswentdownbecauseshewassoworried.Peoplefromalloverthe
worldencouragedthefamilytokeepgoing.Thingswereunfairforpeoplein
Arkansas.

ThepolicequestionedCarlottasfriendsandfamilyaboutthebombthathither
house.TheyarrestedtwoofCarlottasfriends.Bothofthemwerefoundguilty.
ThepolicemadethemsaythattheybombedCarlottashouse.Thepeoplewho
reallyblewupthehousewerenevercaught.CarlottawantedtogetoutofLittle
Rock.ThingswereunfairforpeopleinArkansas.

Chapters1213

Carlottawasafraidthatthepeoplewhowereagainstintegrationwouldruinher
graduation.Thedayofgraduation,Carlottawalkedproudlyacrossthestage.She
wasthefirstblackwomantograduatefromCentralHighSchool.Thatnight,
Carlottaandherfriendscelebrated.Carlottawenttocollege.

Attheendofthesummer,CarlottawenttocollegeinMichigan.Shewas
welcomedthere.Shehadalotoffun,butitwashardtofocusonherschool
work.Carlottawenttocollege.

Afterhersecondyearofcollege,CarlottadecidedtoleavecollegeinMichigan.
ShewenttolivewithherauntanduncleinColorado.Sheworkedduringtheday
andtookcollegeclassesatnight.Aftertwoyears,Carlottadecidedtogotoschool
fulltimeagain.Carlottawenttocollege.

Chapters1415

Carlottalostalotofimportantpeopleinherlife.Hergrandpaanddadbothdied.
Carlottagraduatedfromcollege.ShegotajobataYWCA.Later,shegotmarried
andhadtwochildren.Carlottahadtotellherstorysothatotherscouldlearn
fromit.

Carlottanevertoldherhusbandandchildrenthatshewasoneofthenineblack
studentstogotoCentralHighSchool.Amoviecameoutaboutherandtheother
students.TheywereknownastheLittleRockNine.Shesharedherstorywithher
husbandandchildren.Carlottahadtotellherstorysothatotherscouldlearn
fromit.

TheLittleRockNinemetforthethirtiethandfortiethanniversariesofthe
studentsattendingCentralHighSchool.TheseweretheonlytimesCarlottacame
backtoCentral.Itwashardforhertorememberhighschool.Carlottastarted
sharingherstorywithmanygroupsofpeople.TheLittleRockNinecreateda
foundation.Thefoundationhelpskidslearnabouttheimportanceofeducation.
Carlottahadtotellherstorysothatotherscouldlearnfromit.

Chapters1617

CarlottadidntgotoCentralbecauseshewantedtobeoneofthefewblack
students.Shewentbecauseshewantedthebesteducation.Today,studentsneed
tolearnaboutherlifesotheycanunderstandthehistoryofcivilrights.Students
needtobegratefulfortheireducation.Americansshouldlearnfromthe
discriminationofthepast.

ThecountrywillalwaysremembertheLittleRockNine.IntheArkansasstate
capital,therearestatuesoftheninestudents.Americansshouldlearnfromthe
discriminationofthepast.

AMightyLongWayVocabularyDefinitions
*Thislistisavocabularyreferencetool.Teachersshouldchooseexistingwords
and/orcreateadditionalwordsbasedonstudentneeds.
EssentialVocabulary
ImportantVocabulary
SouthlowerregionoftheUnitedStates
Segregatetoseparatebyraces
NorthupperregionoftheUnitedStates
Race(i.e.classification)agroupofpeoplewithcommonancestors
Integratetocometogether;toformintoalargergroup
Governorsomeonechosentoactastheheadofastate
Unfairnotfair,nothonest
Threatentoshowanintenttohurtsomeone
Soldierspeopleinthemilitary
Judgeapersonwhomakesdecisionsinacourtoflaw
Crowdalargenumberofpeopleclosetogether
Dangeroussomethingthatmaycauseinjuryorharm
Presidenttheleaderofacountry
Meanpurposefullyunkind,notnice
Troublegettingpunishedwhenonedoessomethingwrong
CivilRightsthefreedomsofeverypersoninacountry
Bravenotfeelingorshowinganyfear
Heroespeopleadmiredfordoinggreatthingsthathelpothers
Adaptedfromhttp://www.wordcentral.com/

Collegeschoolhigherthanhighschool
Importantsomethingthatmatters,somethingmeaningful
Lonelysadbecauseofseparationfromothers
Bombaweaponthatexplodes
Encouragetohelpsomeonefeelhopeorkeepgoing
Policepeoplethatkeeporderandenforcethelaw,investigatecrimes,andmake
arrests
Guiltyhavingdonewrong
Graduationtheceremonymarkingastudentcompletingschool
Celebratetoobserveinaspecialway
Welcomereceivedgladly
Focustoconcentrate,tothinkaboutsomething
Workthetasksdoneasone'sregularjob
Dietostopliving
Anniversaryadaywhensomethingspecialorimportanthappened
Remembertobringtomindorthinkofagain
Foundationmoneygiventohelpagroup
Historyawrittenrecordofimportanteventsthathappenedinthepast
Gratefulthankful
Discriminationtreatingsomepeoplebetterthanotherswithoutanyfairreason
Capitalacitythathastheofficesofthestategovernment
Statueasculptedworkofart
Adaptedfromhttp://www.wordcentral.com/

AMightyLongWayVocabularyandObjectList
*Thislistisavocabularyreferencetool.
Teachersshouldchooseexistingwordsand/orcreateadditionalwordsbasedonstudentneeds.

Vocabulary Object
South Compass;Texturedcompassrosepointingdownonamap
Segregate Separateingredients
North Compass;Texturedcompassrosepointinguponamap
Integrate Putingredientsintoapot(e.g.,trailmix)
Unfair Givedifferentamountsofmoney/objectstodifferentstudents
Soldiers Boots;Helmet
Judge Gavel
Crowd People(barbies)
Dangerous CautionTape
President Flag
CivilRights Paperchainofpeopleholding hands
Brave Medal
Heroes Superheroactionfigure
College HeavyTextbook
Bomb Danger/FlammableSign(tactile)
Encourage Pompoms;Highfive
Police ToyPoliceCar;Whistle;PoliceCostume
Graduation CapandGown
Break(summer) Leanbackwithhands behindhead;Studentssignforbreak
Struggle Hardtaskforthestudent;Tugofwarwithrope
Work Tools
Die Miniaturetombstone(Halloweendecoration)
Anniversary Cake
Remember Tiestringontofinger
History Timeline
Grateful Thanksgiving
Discrimination
Removedifferentobjectfromgroupofsimilarobjects
(e.g.,5circlesand1triangle)
Capital Texturedstaronamap
Statue SmallStatue

PublicDomainVocabularyPictures:AMightyLongWay
*Thislistisavocabularyreferencetool.Teachers should choose existing words and/or create additional words based on student needs

South

Segregate

North

Race(i.e.classification)

Integrate

Governor

Unfair

Threaten

Soldiers

Judge

Crowd

Dangerous

PublicDomainVocabularyPictures:AMightyLongWay
*Thislistisavocabularyreferencetool.Teachers should choose existing words and/or create additional words based on student needs

President

Mean

Trouble

CivilRights

Brave

Heroes

College

Important

Lonely

Bomb Encourage

Police

PublicDomainVocabularyPictures:AMightyLongWay
*Thislistisavocabularyreferencetool.Teachers should choose existing words and/or create additional words based on student needs

Guilty

Graduation

Celebrate

Welcomed

Focus

Work

Die

Anniversary

Remember

Foundation

History Grateful

PublicDomainVocabularyPictures:AMightyLongWay
*Thislistisavocabularyreferencetool.Teachers should choose existing words and/or create additional words based on student needs

Discrimination

Capital

Statue

AMightyLongWayComprehensionQuestions
GradeBandExtensions:RLHS.1(FactualandInferentialResponses),CSHS.4(SeeVocabList)HS.5
(TextStructure),RIHS.1(CiteTexttoSupportFactualandInferentialResponses),RIHS.2(Connect
DetailstoMainIdea),RIHS.3(AnalyzeOrderofEvents)

Chapters12
WheredidCarlottalive?(intheSouth,inLittleRock,Arkansas)
Whatpartsofthecountryweresegregated?Whatpartsofthecountrywereintegrated?(South,
North)
HowdidsegregationimpactCarlotta?(Shewenttoanallblackschool;Shecouldntgotothesame
placesaswhitepeople)
WhydidCarlottagotoCentralHighSchool?(itwasintegrating,shewantedtoreceiveabetter
educationshelovedschool)
Whendidthisstorytakeplace?(the1950s)

Chapters34
WhodidnotwantblackstudentstogotoCentralHighSchool?(theGovernor,Principal,angry
crowd,somewhitepeople)
WhatwasunfairaboutCentralHighSchool?(Theblackstudentshadunfairrules;theycouldnotdo
activitieslikethewhitestudents)
Whatdidthecrowddo?(Stoodoutsidetheschool;Calledthestudentsmeannames)
Whyweretheninestudentsfamous?(Theyweresomeofthefirstblackstudentstoattendawhite
schoolinthesouth)
Whatwoulditbeliketogotoaschoolwhereyouwerenotwelcome?

Chapters56
HowdidthepresidentoftheUnitedStateshelptheblackstudentsatCentralHighSchool?(Hesent
soldierstoprotectthem)
NamesomethingmeanthatthewhitestudentsdidtoCarlotta.(Spitonher,Putinkandglueonher;
Yelledather)
HowdidCarlottafeelaboutCentral?(Shehopedthingswouldgetbetter;Shetriednottocry;She
wasonlyhappywithherfriends)

Chapters78
Whatdidthenineblackstudentsdooverthesummer?(Visiteddifferentcities;Wonacivilrights
award;Gotmoneyforcollege)
Whatwerethestudentscalled?(braveheroes)
WheredidCarlottawanttogoafterhighschool?(College)
WhywasCarlottaworriedaboutnotgettingintocollege?(BecausetheyclosedCentralHighSchool)
WheredidCarlottagotohighschoolherjunioryear?(inCleveland)

AMightyLongWayComprehensionQuestions
GradeBandExtensions:RLHS.1(FactualandInferentialResponses),CSHS.4(SeeVocabList)HS.5
(TextStructure),RIHS.1(CiteTexttoSupportFactualandInferentialResponses),RIHS.2(Connect
DetailstoMainIdea),RIHS.3(AnalyzeOrderofEvents)

Chapters911
WhathappenedtoCarlottashouse?(Itwasbombed)
WhydidCarlottasgradesgodown?(becauseshewasworried)
WhowasarrestedforbombingCarlottashouse?(Herfriends)
WhoblewupCarlottashouse?(Thepeopleagainstintegration)

Chapters1213
WhatwasCarlottathefirsttodoatCentral?(Shewasthefirstblackwomantograduate)
Wheredidshegotocollege?(Michigan)
CompareandcontrastMichiganStateandCentralHighSchool.(Bothschools;Carlottawas
welcomedatMichiganState,andshehadalotoffunthere;CarlottawastreatedbadlyatCentral)
WhydidCarlottaleaveMichigan?(Sheneededabreakfromcollege,itwashardtofocuson
schoolwork)

Chapters1415
WhatdidCarlottadoaftercollege?(Shegotajob,gotmarried,hadkids)
WhendidCarlottatellherfamilythatshewasoneoftheLittleRockNine?(Whenamoviecameout)
WhywasithardforCarlottatogobacktoCentral?(Becauseshedidntwanttorememberhigh
school)
WhatdoestheLittleRockNineFoundationdo?(Helpskidslearnabouttheimportanceofeducation)

Chapters1617
WhoisCarlotta?(Authorofthebook;OneoftheLittleRockNine)CSHS.6(PointofView)
Wherearetherestatuesofthestudents?(Arkansasstatecapital)
WhyisCarlottasstoryimportant?(Tolearnfromthediscriminationofthepastandthehistoryof
civilrights)