If A Bus Could Talk
by Faith Ringgold
If a Bus Could Talk is a creative retelling of the story of Rosa Parks suitable for upper elementary students. The story, which is a work of art, touches on many events in black history and would provide an excellent springboard to an indepth study of slavery, racism, and the civil rights movement.
The author and illustrator Faith Ringgold is a celebrated artist and professor emeritus at the University of California, San Diego where she taught art from 1987 until 2002. She has received more than 75 awards including 22 Honorary Doctor of Fine Arts Degrees.
Guiding Questions/Activities
Pre-reading
Ask: What if you could travel back in time? How would you feel? What could you learn? and/or Play the game musical chairs. Talk about how it feels to be the one left without a seat.
Post-reading activities
- Have students act out parts of the book or write a class playlet based on it.
- Research the different events described in the book.
- Create a mural or painting illustrating the events in the book.
- Discuss ways that people can stand against racism.
Related Reading & Activties
Learn More About Faith Ringgold
