Title: Separate is Never Equal
Author: Duncan Tonatiuh
Copyright: 2014
Publisher: Abrams Book for Young Readers
Reading Level:​ 5.1
Description: eye-opening, informative, colorful, shocking, true
Suggested Delivery: guided reading
Electronic Resources:

Mendez vs. Westminster School District of Orange County Court Case

This website has the court case presented in a student-friendly and interactive way.

Mendez v. Westminster: Desegregating California's Schools Video 
This video shows the conditions that Mexican Americans faced in Orange County and also shows important information about the court case.
 ELA Teaching Suggestions:
Key Vocabulary- 
Desegregation- to eliminate racial segregation in something (ex: schools)
Segregation- separation of people based on race, ethnicity, class, or other factors
Trenzas- hair braids
Pasture- grassland
Inferior- of lesser quality
Integrate- to open to members of all races, ethnicities, and other groups
Irrigation system- the artificial application of water to land to assist in the production of crops
Injustice- something that is not fair
Lawsuit- a claim or dispute brought to court
Impetigo- a skin disease
Tuberculosis- a potentially fatal disease of the lungs
Hygiene- conditions and practices that help to maintain health and prevent the spread of diseases
Scholastic-relating to schools and education
Ethnicity- a group of people who have a common national or cultural tradition
   
Before- Pre-teach vocabulary. Then have a discussion about their prior knowledge of inequality or their experiences of seeing others or their own experiences of being treated differently today.
During- Students will create concept maps to deepen comprehension.
After- Ask students if they see anything like this today or show a student-appropriate video of what is going on today.

Writing Activity- Students will be presented a scenario in which the law only allows students that are in middle school and above to go to school because they are smarter and behave better. Then students will be asked to write an essay explaining why they should be able to go to school even though they are younger.