Navigating the Jack T. Franklin Photographic Collection along side Dr. Martin Luther King, students will examine African American cultural, political and economic history in Philadelphia.

By combining the assets of the museum’s civil rights photographs of the Jack T. Franklin Collection, schools have access to not only photography movements unique to the African American community, but also extraordinary events that unite and bond individuals into a cohesive whole. In addition, it allows access to object-based teaching strategies connected to middle school and high school curricula to enhance the achievement and success of middle and high school students, demonstrating the power of the object to: 1) deepen the learners’ understanding of subjects, themes, and ideas across disciplines, 2) engage inter-generational learners through personal narrative, and 3) foster connections between the museum and schools.

These outcomes should enhance the performance of the students participating in this distance-learning program, while deepening their level of engagement in learning by adding value to their in-school experience. Through examination of the griot tradition (storytelling) and concept, it creates a connection with the Jack T. Franklin Collection to the Social Studies curriculum because photographers are visual storytellers. They exemplify our place in society, documenting our dreams and preserving powerful memories.

Students will have an opportunity to interact with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (portrayed by living history actor Gary Giles) as part of this engaging, and exciting, videoconference event.

Pre-Videoconference Activities:

• Review Materials: Review Study Guide prepared by The African American Museum in Philadelphia.
• Prepare Questions: Have students come up with questions for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. about his work, his background, his experiences during the Civil Rights Movement, etc. As a class, choose the top 6 questions. Make sure students are prepared to ask these questions as part of the videoconference event. Each school will have a chance to ask 3 or 4 questions – but by preparing 6, we can make sure that questions aren’t repeated.

U.S. National Curriculum Standards

NSS-USH.5-12.9 ERA 9: POSTWAR UNITED STATES (1945 TO EARLY 1970s)

• Understands domestic policies after World War II
• Understands the struggle for racial and gender equality and the extension of civil liberties