Paired Texts > The First Time John Lewis and I Integrated the Buses

by Bernard Lafayette Jr. 2020

We've identified these texts as great options for text pairings based on similar themes, literary devices, topic, or writing style. Supplement your lesson with one or more of these options and challenge students to compare and contrast the texts. To assign a paired text, click on the text to go to its page and click the "Assign Text" button there.

The Sit-In Movement
The Sit-In Movement
USHistory.org

This informational text discusses the different forms of peaceful protests that civil rights activists employed during their struggle for equality.

Pair “The Sit-In Movement” with “The First Time John Lewis and I Integrated the Buses” to provide students with more information about the sit-in movement and other student-led nonviolent protests. Ask students to discuss the similar experiences of the nonviolent protesters in each text. How does “The Sit-In Movement” add to students’ understanding of the work of students and teenagers during the Civil Rights Movement? What insight does each text provide about the use of nonviolence?

8th Grade Informational Text 1020L
An Obstacle
An Obstacle
Charlotte Perkins Gilman

In Charlotte Perkins Gilman's poem "An Obstacle," she urges us to remain strong when facing everyday obstacles. Gilman was writing as a feminist during a time when it was not socially acceptable to identify as such.

Pair “An Obstacle” with “The First Time John Lewis and I Integrated the Buses” to provide students with a poet’s interpretation of struggling against prejudice. Ask students to discuss the speaker’s response to Prejudice. Is this how the Freedom Riders responded? Who do students think were more successful? What do students think the speaker means by walking through Prejudice? Could it be nonviolent protest or something else? How do students think John Lewis would react to the speaker in the poem?

9th Grade Poem
La primera vez que John Lewis y yo nos sentamos adelante en un autobús
La primera vez que John Lewis y yo nos sentamos adelante en un autobús
Bernard Lafayette Jr.

This text is available in both English and Spanish. Click here to view this text in the other language.

10th Grade Informational Text 1480L