The Story of Ruby Bridges is part of our Starts With a Story Collection, which includes more than 600 picture book companions based on high quality children’s literature that support you in delivering highly-engaging interactive read alouds with follow up activities. Learn more about this children’s book below! - Jodi and the Starts With a Story Team
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SUMMARY
"The Story of Ruby Bridges" by Robert Coles is a powerful children's book based on the true story of Ruby Bridges, a young African American girl who played a significant role in the desegregation of schools in the United States. The book follows Ruby as she becomes the first Black student to attend an all-white school in New Orleans during the 1960s. Despite facing hostility, protests, and racial prejudice, Ruby displays incredible strength and courage. With the support of her family and the guidance of her teacher, Mrs. Henry, Ruby perseveres in her pursuit of education, paving the way for future generations. The book highlights the themes of resilience, tolerance, and the importance of standing up against injustice. Through its poignant illustrations and heartfelt storytelling, "The Story of Ruby Bridges" educates young readers about the struggle for equality and the power of one person's bravery to bring about change.
 USE THIS BOOK TO TEACH:
Our read aloud lesson plans for this picture book come with reading comprehension questions (with sample student responses), 30 writing prompts, teaching ideas for grammar skills, social emotional learning discussion ideas, and more. Check out our list below to get a sneak peek at some of the skills this resource teaches.
- Encourage students to use their summarizing and retelling strategies.
- Discuss the different characters in the story and analyze their thoughts and actions.
- Help students to analyze what the author’s purpose for writing the book might be.
- Discuss the different adjectives used in the book.
- Introduce students to quotation marks and provide examples from the book.
- Introduce and act out action verbs.
- Encourage students to think about ways they can show compassion.
NO-PREP PRINTABLE ACTIVITIES:
If you are looking for “ready to go” activities for the first day of school, be sure to check out the book companion. With it you’ll receive all of the following resources to align with this specific book:
- comprehension questions
- 30Â writing prompts with themed paper
- vocabulary activities
- word study print & go activities
- ideas for grammar lessons with focus sentence printables
- social emotional learning discussion topics
- graphic organizers to target specific comprehension skills and strategies
This book is a must have for your school or classroom library. Your students are going to love completing these activities for the book and you will be impressed with how much they learn. You will want to read this book to your class every year.
GET THE PRINTABLE ACTIVITIES
ADDITIONAL BOOK SUGGESTIONS
You and your students will love the similar books listed below, which can all be found in our free picture book list.
- Before She Was Harriet by Lesa Cline-Ransome
- Henry's Freedom Box by Ellen Levine
- Let the Children March by Monica Clark-Robinson
- Mae Among the Stars by Roda Ahmed
- Martin's Big Words by Doreen Rappaport
- Ron's Big Mission by Rose Blue
- The 1619 Project: Born on the Water by Nikole Hannah-Jones
- The Undefeated by Kwame AlexanderÂ
TRY OUT A SAMPLE COMPANION
It's hard to explain how amazing the Starts with a Story book companions are because there is just so much goodness included in each one. It's best if you experience using one for yourself. Sign up below & we'll send you an entire book companion to try out for FREE!
