The Civil Rights Movement: Compassion in Action

• To teach students about the civil rights movement’s use of nonviolent actions to achieve change and social justice
• To allow students to gain respect for the courage and sacrifice of those who participated in the civil rights movement
• To allow students to use nonviolent citizenship skills, such as those used in the civil rights movement, to address the issue of product testing on animals
• To empower students and give them confidence in their ability to be active citizens who are involved in shaping the world around them

• Students will read Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Letter From a Birmingham Jail.”
• Students will demonstrate the ability to use one or more of the following nonviolent citizenship skills to address the issue of product testing on animals: boycotting, writing protest letters, lobbying, or taking part in a demonstration.

• "Letter From a Birmingham Jail"
The letter can be found in Dr. King's book Why We Can't Wait or online. Click here to view the online version.
• "Cruelty-Free Shopping Guide" (all ages)
This pocket-sized guide lists more than 550 companies that do not test their products on animals. Order your free copy from TeachKind today.

• “Guide to Animals and Experimentation” (grades 6 and up)
This eight-page booklet describes animal testing methods and the more reliable, high-tech alternatives.
• “Let’s Visit a Real Research Laboratory” Poster (grade 9 through college)
This informative poster shows, room by room, what happens to animals in research labs. Because it contains upsetting photos, we suggest that it only be used for older students.
• Inside Biosearch Video (grade 9 through college)
This 14-minute video of undercover footage shows the disturbing reality of what happens to animals in laboratories. It is a unique and eye-opening video that will truly hold your students’ attention.