01: How the Monuments Came Down Series and Curriculum Guide introduction
Overview
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How the Monuments Came Down Series and Curriculum Guide introduction: Introductory information about the series and curriculum guides, along with a linked list of the episodes in order.
Note: This item and the collection it belongs to was imported with permission from #GoOpenVA. While the content is the same, the original location can be found here.
Series Introduction
How the Monuments Came Down explores the complex history of Richmond, Virginia through the lens of Confederate monuments, supported by an extensive visual record never before presented in a single work.
Through personal stories from descendants and history-makers, the film uncovers how Confederate monuments came to shape Richmond’s landscape and why protestors demanded they come down.
In this collection, you will find film clips and learning resources designed to engage students with primary sources found in the film. These curriculum resources were written by Rodney Robinson, the 2019 National Teacher of the Year and a 20-year veteran of Richmond Public Schools. For a PDF version of the guide, with extension activities, visit vpm.org/monuments.
How the Monuments Came Down is a production of Field Studio, in association with VPM.
NOTE TO TEACHERS:
The video clips, Caricatures of African Americans and Monument Avenue Commission, include depictions of blackface; in an effort to provide authentic and transparent resources about the historical experiences of Black Americans, these moments were not censored. Some abusive language appears in one primary resource in The Right to Vote.
The “n” word appears in one archival source commenting on the suppression of the Black vote in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
A reporter notes that a City Council member said that the city “still has a hell of a long way to go.”
Sensitive: This resource contains material that may be sensitive for some students. Teachers should exercise discretion in evaluating whether this resource is suitable for their class.
Curriculum Guide Introduction
Dear Teachers,
Thank you for taking a moment in your busy day to consider this curriculum guide for How the
Monuments Came Down, an essential film for viewing — and teaching.
How the Monuments Came Down is a fascinating documentary that tells a 160 year struggle for suffrage, political power, and respect for Black Richmonders. It combines great storytelling with outstanding primary sources to reveal narratives that have widely been dismissed in many documentaries.
I have taught history in Richmond more than 20 years, and this film captures so much of the history of the city, the struggle, the political strife, the systemic racism, and the determination of the people to overcome. All students and teachers should watch this film and have deep, thoughtful discussions about systemic racism and how it appears in everything from legislation passed by the state lawmakers to statues to police and public interactions. I challenge teachers and students to watch and have respectful, open, and honest conversations about power and race in the city of Richmond.
The guide is organized into two sections: the first presents graphic organizers for use with document analysis; the second offers document based questions. Each learning opportunity within is supported by a clip from the film and a primary source for students and teachers to analyze, in order to develop a deeper understanding of the film and the historical eras it explores. There is also a list of project-based activities to tap into deeper learning for your students. And every element of this guide is connected to the relevant Virginia Standards of Learning and Common Core State Standards.
I hope that you find this guide as meaningful to teach as it was to create. My best wishes for your work,
Rodney Robinson
Richmond Public Schools
2019 National Teacher of the Year
Episode List and Direct Links
5. John Mitchell, Jr., and Maggie L. Walker
6. Lost Cause Narrative and Building Monument Avenue
7. Caricatures of African Americans
8. Interstate 95 and the Destruction of Jackson Ward
10. First Majority-Black City Council
11. Arthur Ashe
12. African American Monuments
14. Monument Avenue Commission
15. Summer 2020
17. Marcus-David Peters and Systemic Racism
18. How the Monuments Came Down Additional Resources