- Grades: PreK–K, 1–2, 3–5, 6–8 Share the true story of Ruby
Bridges, a living hero of the Civil Rights Movement. Six-year-
old Ruby Bridges was the first black student to attend all-white
William Frantz Elementary School in 1960. She showed remarkable
courage and maturity as she braved threatening crowds of white
people to enter the school escorted by federal marshals. Because
she was a young child when she helped integrate the schools in
New Orleans, her story of courage is especially meaningful to
children. Read on for teaching resources about Ruby Bridges.
Through My Eyes, Ruby Bridges’ autobiography, includes lots of
photos. I read this book aloud to my students. The photos helped
them understand that Ruby is a real person and that her story is
nonfiction. You can show a two-minute video that goes with this
book. In the back of the first edition of Through My Eyes is a
jump rope rhyme, "Ruby B." by Susan Salidor, that my class
learned. We shared the poem at Morning Meeting. There are many
verses and the s